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
Big Bargain Book Sale - 20 and 21 March 2026
Bag a bargain! Our much-loved book sale is on Friday 20 March 9am to 7pm, and Saturday 21 March 9am to 4pm at Pioneer Rec and Sport Centre.
Big Bargain Book Sale - 20 and 21 March 2026
Bag a bargain! Our much-loved book sale is on Friday 20 March 9am to 7pm, and Saturday 21 March 9am to 4pm at Pioneer Rec and Sport Centre.
Recommended by Children's Librarians
Featured booklists
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!
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.
Library Booklists
Children's librarians recommend great reading in these official booklists for tamariki.
Library Booklists
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!
New For You - Children's - March 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.
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."
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.
New for Kids
Featured
Gavin Bishop's Taniwha: Cryptids & Kaitiaki
Kamania reports back from a combined exhibition and author talk with legendary illustrator, and author of Taniwha, Gavin Bishop.
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.
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.
Celebrating Dinovember
Welcome to Dinovember 2025! Come along to our dinosaur-related events and explore our dino resources.
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]