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.
Featured
Rainbow reads for tamariki - kids
Books for tamariki and whānau that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
Rainbow reads for tamariki - kids
Books for tamariki and whānau that explore and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
Recommended by Children's Librarians
Featured booklists
Children's Funny Tales
Looking for a laugh? Look no further! Check out these funny stories for tamariki picked out specially by our Children's Librarians.
Children's Arts and Crafts - Fiction and Non-Fiction
Stitch it, weave it, draw it, repair it! If you're looking for a craft, you've come to the right place! Picked by our Children's Librarians!
Children's Science Fiction
What could be better than a little scientific experiment gone wrong, or a dinosaur come to life?! Our Children's Librarians pick the best.
Children's Adventure Stories
Whether its trekking across a mountain or deep into a new land, there's nothing like an adventure. Picked by our Children's Librarians.
Classic Children's Stories
Everybody loves a classic! This list brings together all of the beloved classics for children. All curated by our Children's Librarians.
Children's Cooking
Get your next tasty read in this list filled with stories and recipes about and for kids! All curated by our Children's Librarians.
Children's Graphic Novels
Find your next graphic novel read with this list curated by our Children's Librarians!
Children's Mystery
Whodunnits, detectives, & lots of sleuthing. These books are filled with mystery for junior detectives! Curated by Children's Librarians.
If You Like - Dog Man
Read all of Dog Man but want more? Check out these books that are just as funny and adventurous, picked by our Children's Librarians!
Booklists
Booklists for kids
Ngā Pounamu Māori - Poutū 2026
Recent additions to our Ngā Pounamu Māori Collections for Adults and Tamariki.
New For You - Children's - February 2026
A selection of new fiction, graphic novels and nonfiction for older children.
New For You - Children's - January 2026
A selection of new picture books and children's nonfiction for younger children.
Ngā Pounamu Māori - Poutū 2026
Recent additions to our Ngā Pounamu Māori Collections for Adults and Tamariki.
New For You - Children's - February 2026
A selection of new fiction, graphic novels and nonfiction for older children.
New For You - Children's - January 2026
A selection of new picture books and children's nonfiction for younger children.
Prize-winning reads
Booklists for kids
Children's literary prizes and awards
Winners and nominees for a range of prizes and awards for children's fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
2025 National Library of NZ - Best Children's & YA books
The Services to Schools' team shares the books that "spark curiosity, invite conversation and offer new ways of seeing."
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.
Children's literary prizes and awards
Winners and nominees for a range of prizes and awards for children's fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
2025 National Library of NZ - Best Children's & YA books
The Services to Schools' team shares the books that "spark curiosity, invite conversation and offer new ways of seeing."
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.
New for Kids
New for Kids
New for Kids
Best of the Year and Most Popular
Library selectors highlight the best books of the year:
Best of the Year
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!
Author interviews for Kids and Teens
Read interviews with authors - how do they create characters and make awesome stories.
Printable lists
If you like... quirky and wacky stories
Get your giggle on with these quirky reads for tamariki! Printable list [296KB PDF]
If you like... friends and family stories
Realistic stories about life for tamariki. Printable list [275KB PDF]
If you like ... Classics
Stories so good, they are still excellent lots of years after they were written. Printable list [244KB PDF]
If you like .... Real world adventures
Writers that prove adventures don’t need magic to be exciting! Printable list [241KB PDF]
If you like ... Ngā Pakiwaitara
Kiwi authors who write bilingual stories. Printable list [267KB PDF]
If you like ... Stories about magic
Step into a magical world with these fantasy authors for tamariki. Printable list [200KB PDF]