Reading Recommendations - Tamariki

Librarians recommend the best books for tamariki on a variety of topics - fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, and more - for kids of all ages.

Website

Best of 2025 for Kids and Teens

Our selectors have picked the best books of 2025 for tamariki and rangatahi. Have a browse and find a great read!

Best of the Year

Library selectors highlight the best books of the year. View the best of this year and previous years.

Best of the Year

Best of 2025: Children's Graphic novels

Our selectors picks the best graphic novels of 2025.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction - Science and Technology

Our selectors pick the best books about science and technology.

Best of 2025: Kids' Nonfiction - Poetry, Language, Stories

Our selectors pick the best poetry books and titles about language and story.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction about People and Places

Our selectors pick the best books about people and places - biographies, history, and geography.

Best of 2025: Children's Graphic novels

Our selectors picks the best graphic novels of 2025.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction - Science and Technology

Our selectors pick the best books about science and technology.

Best of 2025: Kids' Nonfiction - Poetry, Language, Stories

Our selectors pick the best poetry books and titles about language and story.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction about People and Places

Our selectors pick the best books about people and places - biographies, history, and geography.

Library Booklists

Children's librarians recommend great reading in these official booklists for tamariki.

New For You - Children's - December 2025

A selection of new fiction, graphic novels and nonfiction for older children.

2025 SLJ Best Books - Picture Books

School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.

2025 SLJ Best Books - Graphic Novels and Manga: Kids / YA

School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.

Best of 2025: Children's Graphic novels

Our selectors picks the best graphic novels of 2025.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction - Science and Technology

Our selectors pick the best books about science and technology.

Best of 2025: Kids' Nonfiction - Poetry, Language, Stories

Our selectors pick the best poetry books and titles about language and story.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction about People and Places

Our selectors pick the best books about people and places - biographies, history, and geography.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction Books about Nature

Our selectors pick the best books about the earth and nature.

Best of 2025: Children's Nonfiction - Art and Activities

Our selectors pick the best books about art and other activities.

Best of 2025: Children's Picture Books

Our selectors pick the best picture books of 2025. Feast your eyes!

Best of 2025: Children's Older Fiction

Our selectors pick the best older fiction titles for kids.

Best of 2025: Children's Younger Fiction

Our selectors pick the best children's younger fiction titles.

New For You - Children's: Christmas 2025

A selection of new children's Christmas titles for the young reader.

Ngā Pounamu Māori - Whiringa-ā-rangi 2025

Recent additions to our Ngā Pounamu Māori Collections for Adults and Tamariki.

New For You - Children's - November 2025

A selection of new picture books and children's nonfiction for younger children.

Award Winning Comics 2025 - Kids/Parents edition

A kid/parent friendly version of Ma1co1m's annual list of winners/nominees from the major North American comic awards.

See all Christchurch Kids' booklists.

Website

Rainbow reads for tamariki - kids

Books for tamariki and whānau that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.

New for Kids

Featured

Blog Post

Best book covers of 2025 - My pick of Aotearoa’s finest

Each year I handpick my favourite New Zealand book covers. Have a look at my number one pick and plenty more stylish books.

Donna R

Blog Post

DINOvember Dino Diary: Week 2

Week 2 of DINOvember has been a t-rexcellent chance for dinosaurs big and small to ‘check out’ the different dinosaur books.

kyccl

Blog Post

Celebrating Dinovember

Welcome to Dinovember 2025! Come along to our dinosaur-related events and explore our dino resources.

hongwangccl

Blog Post

Stacy Gregg: Cats, tarot cards, and more!

Missbeecrafty interviews NZ author Stacy Gregg about her latest novel, The Last Journey, a tale of cats going on a mystical adventure.

Missbeecrafty

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More booklists for tamariki (made by librarians)

Non-Fiction: January-July 2022 Starred Reviews from SLJ

Star selections as picked by SLJ reviewers.

AliciaLib

Graphic Novels: January-July Starred Reviews from SLJ

Star selections as picked by SLJ's reviewers.

AliciaLib

Chapter Books: January - July 2022 Starred Reviews from SLJ

Star selections as picked by SLJ's reviewers.

AliciaLib

Picture Books: January - July 2022 Star Reviews from SLJ

Star selections as picked by SLJ's reviewers.

AliciaLib

Guardian Book Reviews for Children & Teens (Jan-July 2022)

Take a look at some of the reviewed books from 'The Guardian' .

AliciaLib

Chapter books for sporty kids

Mostly fiction with a few nonfiction books thrown in.

cclErin

Mystery and detective chapter books for children

Books for budding detectives! A mix of younger fiction (first chapter books), and older fiction.

cclErin

Engaging, fun, Search and Find, I-Spy and Maze books

These exciting and engaging interactive books are a fun and playful way to build children's memory and learning skills.

DonBid

Action, Adventure, Mystery! (eAudiobooks for children)

Exciting eAudiobooks for children to listen to. Many are the first in a series, so if you like a story you can check out the next one.

cclErin

eBooks to read with your preschooler

My top 10 eBook choices for preschool age children. Most of these are picture books I have read to children in Wā Kōrero: Storytime sessions

cclErin

eAudiobooks for preschoolers

A selection of popular eAudiobooks for your little ones to listen to.

cclErin

Anti-Racism and Diversity

Books to help children process and discuss race relations & explore cultural diversity - picture books, fiction, & non-fiction.

RR_Prof

Everyday Superheroes

Some great stories for little heroes to access from home.

missbeecrafty

eBook Picture Books with Narration

A collection of eBook picture books that all include narration so children can listen as they read along to a great story!

HelenMep

eBook Biographies for Children

True stories that will inspire and amaze you.

LibrarianErin

Armchair travel for kids

eBooks for kids- Read your way around the the world, without leaving your bubble!

sumner1

See all booklists made by librarians.