Reading recommendations – Tamariki

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.

Best of the Year

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

Library Booklists

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

Library Booklists

Family Games - Board Games

Fun for the whole family! These games are ideal for around 2-6 players of mixed ages. Grab some friends, a sibling, or aunt, & pick a game.

Complex - Board Games

Want to think a bit harder? A bit bored of your average dice roll game? Use your noggin with these games, & get your brain-juices going.

Games for Big Groups - Board Games

How many players can you fit into a board game session? We've written down recommendations obviously, but don't let that hold you back.

Quick Games - Board Games

These games are ideal if you don't have much time for rules, set-up, or fiddling with lots of pieces. Most can be played in under 15 mins.

Cooperative - Board Games

If you're sick of that one friend flipping the board when things don't go their way, then this might interest you - cooperative team games.

Board Games - Christchurch City Libraries

We now have board games you can borrow and take home! Check out our new titles below.

Two Player Games - Board Games

One... two... oh, hello, it's a pair! These are games we recommend for two players.

Easy - Board Games

Don't want to get bogged down by complex rules and long tutorial videos? These games are designed for quick and easy comprehension.

Award Winners - Board Games

Board games that have impressed the best! Below are a list of award-winning games. How many have you tried?

New For You - Children's - August 2024

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older readers.

New For You - Children's - July 2024

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

Te Iwa o Matariki - Tamariki

Encourage an understanding of Matariki with this list of children's pukapuka (books) relating to the Nine Stars of Matariki.

New For You - Children's - June 2024

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older readers.

New For You - Children's - May 2024

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

New For You - Children's - April 2024

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older children.

Poetry topics on specific subjects like dinosaurs & feelings

Poems about all your favourite topics from feelings to dinosaurs to atoms to jellyfish, and everything in between.

Rainbow reads for tamariki - kids

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

New for Kids

More booklists for tamariki (made by librarians)

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

Star selections as picked by SLJ reviewers.

Graphic Novels: January-July Starred Reviews from SLJ

Star selections as picked by SLJ's reviewers.

Chapter Books: January - July 2022 Starred Reviews from SLJ

Star selections as picked by SLJ's reviewers.

Picture Books: January - July 2022 Star Reviews from SLJ

Star selections as picked by SLJ's reviewers.

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

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

Chapter books for sporty kids

Mostly fiction with a few nonfiction books thrown in.

Mystery and detective chapter books for children

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

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.

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.

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

eAudiobooks for preschoolers

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

Anti-Racism and Diversity

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

Everyday Superheroes

Some great stories for little heroes to access from home.

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!

eBook Biographies for Children

True stories that will inspire and amaze you.

Armchair travel for kids

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

Printable lists

If you like ... Classics

Stories so good, they are still excellent lots of years after they were written. Printable list [500KB PDF]

If you like ... Roald Dahl

Quirky characters in unusual escapades. Printable list [509KB PDF]

If you like .... Real world adventures

Writers that prove adventures don’t need magic to be exciting! Printable list [526KB PDF]

If you like ... Ngā Pakiwaitara

Bilingual stories by Kiwi authors. Printable list [1MB PDF]

If you like ... Silly stories

Get your giggle on with these wacky reads! Printable list [341KB PDF].

If you like ... Harry Potter

More writers of magical adventures. Printable list [138KB PDF]
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