New Zealand Children's Books

Granny's Undies is an adventurous, laugh-out-loud sing-along story by popular children's entertainer, Deano Yipadee. Imagine a pair of polka-dot pants caught by a wild wind, whisked off Granny's washing line and soaring away into the unknown. Go, go, go, Granny's...

Having a new baby in the family is a big adjustment for not only the parents, but existing siblings as well. Donovan Bixley shows a family expecting a new baby, then the arrival and changes at home, with the older...

Who knew our soldiers had such a variety of animal companions in the two world wars? Apart from the ‘beasts of burden’ that one might expect, such as horses, mules, donkeys and camels, many battalions had mascots as well: kangaroos,...

Te Kokorangi 1: Te Kokorangi is Witi Ihimaera's lively Matariki story, known as The Astromancer, translated into te reo Māori by Heni Jacob. E kimi ana a Te Kokorangi i etahi pia hou tokowha hei ako i nga korero o...

Kia Kaha is an award-winning and powerful illustrated storybook that invites tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth) of Aotearoa (New Zealand) to celebrate Māoritanga (Māori culture). This heartfelt collection shines a light on the true stories of incredible Māori individuals who...

A family had once moved into a different house.It was just a small family - a mum, a dad, and a little girl called Sarah. Well, this house was not exactly new - in fact it was one of those...

SHORTLISTED: 2025 NZSA Best First Book Award, New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults STORYLINES NOTABLE BOOK 2024'A heartfelt story of sibling connection and the importance of accepting differences, which follows three young hawks as they navigate their...

It's national kapa haka competition time again, and this Maori performing arts festival is a big event! It needs planning, tactics and dedication - and that's just for the people watching! Nan's a hardcore kapa haka follower, and she shows...

Is he a hippo that looks like a mouse? Or is he a mouse too big for this house? Just who or what is Squeakopotamus? And how will the kids, Mum and Dad keep him fed? No one yet has...

The third book in this amazing series will leave you speechless. There are night flights and an earthquake. Friends leave, some forever. Zephyr meets a young man called Seth, who isn’t who he seems to be and who changes the...

Zephyr’s life is turned upside down when she finds Redstar lying unresponsive on the ground. Before she can help her beloved dog, a wind wizard carries her off to a lonely place which she cannot escape from. Now that Zephyr...

Spadge Returns by Ivan Wilson is a colourful children’s picture book, featuring the brilliant images of artist Les Holmes, who brings to life Spadge's new adventure. Spadge leaves his country town to return to the city on a quest to...

Six-year-old Kate loves helping around the house, it makes her feel very grown up. But when she shakes out the kitchen mat on the first day of the school holidays, she accidentally launches a tiny stowaway straight into her hair....

When a kiwi's crate tumbles off a Department of Conservation truck, he finds himself lost and alone at a bus stop, until a curious boy named Kauri discovers him. Together, Kauri and his teacher, Mrs McTilley, must find a way...

The maunga of Tamaki Makaurau are worried. The natural world is changing – rivers are polluted, forests are shrinking, and the birds' waiata are fading away. While Kohukohunui and his fellow maunga keep watch, Naana gets her mokopuna onto the...

Rewi Romney is a bilingual story. Te reo Māori & English. Rewi Romney feels like the odd one out in the paddock of spring lambs. Follow his journey to make new friends.

He rakau iti a Taika e tahuri atu ana i ona whakaaro whakakino e tiaho muramura ai ia.

Te whitinga roa mai o te rā, te pakiki me te kore here i te taha o te moana... Ma tēnei pukapuka kua whakarakeitia ki ngā whakaahua waiwaia e toko ake ai te manaru o tētahi hararei raumati i Aotearoa....

Te Reo version of I Gaze up at the Trees, with Dirt on my Knees Te huhuatanga o ngai kirehe, me te mahi matatoa e noho pu ana i te puihi. Ka whakakipakipa tenei pukapuka miharo i te arotau ki...

The popular children’s picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, translated into te reo Māori, is now available in a board book. With the same beautiful illustrations and dye cut pages as the original book, the te reo Māori board book...

Something is making a racket in the attic!Since the mysterious disappearance of their parents, Willow and Hunter have been living with their grandfather in his creaky old house. But Grandpa’s memory is fading fast, and the twins dread the prospect...

There’s a big surf competition coming up. Eight-year-old Lisa is determined to take part, but she’s nervous. With encouragement from her coach, family and top paddler Māia, she trains hard. But disaster strikes when her canoe capsizes, shaking her confidence....

Every so often, a dolphin graces the shores of the island, near the Pathway of the Whales. This playful creature leaps and dances with the people, offering gifts and enchanting songs. Award-winning author Mere Whaanga weaves a captivating story of...

No training could have prepared Frank for a dangerous coastwatching mission against the Japanese in this award-winning WWII novel by David Hill. David Hill's tense, exciting war adventure inspired by the coastwatchers of Operation Pacific - winner of the 2022...

Book 4 in this charming illustrated chapter book series, perfect for dance-mad, mystery-solving emerging and confident readers. An all-you-can-eat restaurant, a swinging country and western dance, and a mystery to solve for the Dance Detectives! Lulu and the Silver Star...

A Kiwi Went to Sea, Sea, Sea follows the delightful escapades of a Kiwi on a maritime adventure, hoping to catch some kai for tea. Will the kiwis enjoy their fun in the sun while relishing some delicious kai out...

The true story of Wānanga, a kea that was poisoned by lead, but recovered to be released again into the wild. Kea are the world’s only alpine parrot, highly intelligent and famous for their cheeky, often naughty behaviour. They are,...

On her first venture out of the nest, Little Hoiho admires the other birds around her and tries desperately to imitate them—with unfortunate results. But when she accidentally trips and falls into the water, she discovers that she is no...

The gripping sequel to Violet Black THE SECOND RIVETING BOOK IN THE FAST-PACED BLACK SPIRAL TRILOGY. Back from Germany and the assignment that went horribly wrong, Violet doesn't know who to trust— It's fortunate for me that the Foundation staff...

Call For The Ambulance featuring the catchy #1 Hit "111 Ambulance Song" will save lives by empowering children with the knowledge of how to react in an emergency. Written and sung by #1 Children's Hit Songwriter Chris Sanders, the picture...

One dollar from every book sold goes to Forest & Bird for their conservation efforts. This charming picture book tells the story of pūteketeke. Previously unknown to most people, it was thrust into the spotlight when it won the 'Bird...

Freestyle: The Israel Adesanya Story is the inspirational story of Israel Adesanya's journey from Nigeria to New Zealand to UFC stadiums around the world. But it's more than a martial arts fighter story. It's about the power of our imaginations....

Little Ruby explores the playground and finds all of her friends there!But they all face challenges as they run and swing and climb and kick the ball.Ruby discovers that her friends have very different ways of sorting out their problems...

Just how much trouble can come about when a time machine falls into the claws of a scavenging swamp hen? Find out in the first book of this brilliant comic series rampaging all over New Zealand's timeline... A pūkeko and...

by Lynley Dodd is another delightful tale of the mischievous and adventurous black cat with bright yellow eyes. This beautifully illustrated children's book explores the curiosity and antics of Slinky Malinki and his feathered friend, Syd the rainbow lorikeet, as...

A humorous and imaginative story about a girl who wishes for a more exciting pet, from the bestselling author of Hairy Maclary and Friends - now available as a board book! This board book edition of Lynley Dodd's beloved rhyming...

Margaret Mahy's classic cautionary tale The Great White Man-Eating Shark is reimagined with delightfully cheeky illustrations from Herb MacDonald, the winner of the 2024 Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize. Welcome to Caramel Cove. The beach is amazing. The ocean is even...

In the garden, creeping along branches, hiding under stones or flitting from flower to flower, a whole universe of creatures is waiting to be discovered. Butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, spiders… what have you found in your backyard? Did you know...

'Splendidly inventive, expertly controlled, full of passion and compassion, and a narrative I would give four fingernails to have thought of.' — David Hill 'A compelling and lovingly crafted novel.' — David Mitchell The same evening Josh Underhill went missing,...

This fascinating look at Matariki in New Zealand and around the world is now retold in te reo Māori. The Matariki constellation (or Pleiades) is known by many different names and is seen and celebrated by many cultures around the...

Wise, tough, heart-breaking, funny, this compulsive love story is about facing your demons. Fifteen-year-old Rebecca McQuilten moves with her parents to a new city. Lonely but trying to fit in, she goes to a party, but that's when things really...

Somewhere there is a land where balloons grow in the air like weeds. They drift on the wind and gather in groups covering the sky and blocking the sun. With lush illustrations and a thoughtful, layered narrative, this sophisticated story...

Where Is It In Town? is a 'look and find' book for all children who want to learn about New Zealand's wildlife. A sister publication to the highly successful Where is it?, this book focuses on wildlife that Kiwi kids...

The Witch of Maketu and the Bleating Lambs is a hilarious picture book from the wildly creative singer and entertainer, Anika Moa. Aotearoa New Zealand's favourite witch is having trouble with her kai. How can she stop the juicy morsels...

Read all about the extraordinary wētāpunga. What makes it unique? Why is it endangered? What can we do to help save it? Discover the fascinating facts and conservation efforts surrounding the wētāpunga with this comprehensive guide that draws on expertise...

Meet Theo, the only dinosaur in a school full of humans—or so he thinks! Theo is a dinosaur—which came as a shock to his human parents! Nevertheless, they love him dearly. On his first day at school, Theo refuses to...