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.

Ngā Pounamu Māori - Whiringa-ā-rangi 2025

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

New For You - Children's - October 2025

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

Customer comments

Find out what customers are saying.

Best of the Year

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

Best of 2024: Children's Nonfiction - Art and Activities

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

Best of 2024: Children's Nonfiction - Science & Technology

Our selectors pick the best books about science and technology.

Best of 2024: Children's Younger Fiction

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

Best of 2024 for Kids

Our selectors have picked the best books of 2024 for tamariki. Have a browse and find a great read!

Most Popular in 2024: eAudiobooks for kids

Harry Potter took out the top 6 spots in this year's eAudiobooks for kids.

Most Popular in 2024: eBooks for kids

Moon Rising: Wings of Fire Graphic Novel series, Book 6 by Tui Sutherland / Mike Holmes is the most popular eBook for kids.

Most Popular in 2024: Kids Comics and Graphic Novels

Asterix is number one! See what other comics and graphic novels for kids were popular in 2024.

Most Popular in 2024: Tamariki - Kids

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: No brainer by Jeff Kinney takes out first place. See the top 20 most popular pukapuka for tamariki in 2024!

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

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.

Sustainability in the face of Climate Change in the Pacific

Titles exploring the sustainability and climate change in the Pacific. Includes some children's titles.

New For You - Children's - October 2025

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

New For You - Children's - September 2025

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

New For You - Children's - August 2025

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older children.

Change for the better: Plastic Free July

Find out how to do your bit in the global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution.

New For You - Children's - July 2025

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

New For You - Children's - June 2025

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older children.

New For You - Children's - May 2025

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

New For You - Children's - April 2025

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older children.

New For You - Children's - March 2025

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

New For You - Children's - February 2025

A selection of new fiction and nonfiction for older readers.

Rainbow reads for tamariki - kids

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

New for Kids

Featured

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.

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.

Gavin Bishop: WORD Christchurch Festival 2025

Catherine reports back from a WORD Christchurch session with a legend of children's literature - author and illustrator Gavin Bishop.

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

Tokelau greeting cube

Download, print, colour-in and fold this paper cube that comes with a range of greetings in the Tokelau language (1MB PDF).

Tokelau numbers colouring in sheet

Celebrate Te Vaiaho o te Gagana Tokelau - Tokelau Language Week. Download our numbers colouring in sheet [276KB PDF].

Make a paper Niue greeting cube

Download, print, colour-in and fold this paper cube that comes with a range of greetings in the Niue language (472 KB PDF).

Fiji flag colouring in sheet

Celebrate Fiji Language Week Macawa Ni Vosa Vakaviti! Download our Fiji flag colouring in sheet! [86 KB PDF]

If you like... quirky and wacky stories

Get your giggle on with these quirky reads for tamariki! Printable list [296KB PDF]

If you like... graphic novels

Check out these great graphic novel series for tamariki! Printable list [251KB 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]
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