Best of the Year - Tamariki
Here is a selection of the best new titles for kids and young adults added to our collection each year. You will find something here to excite, enthuse, enthral and inform.
Best of 2024
Best of the Year 2024
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: Children's Older Fiction
Our selectors pick the best older fiction titles for kids.
Best of 2024: Children's Picture Books
Our selectors pick the best picture books of 2024.
Best of 2024: Young Adult
Our selectors pick the best books for teens.
Best of 2024: Children's Nonfiction Books - People & Places
Our selectors pick the best books about people and places - biographies, history, and geography.
Best of 2024:Children's Nonfiction Poetry, Language, Stories
Our selectors pick the best poetry books and titles about language and story.
Best of 2024: Children's Nonfiction Books about Nature
Our selectors pick the best books about the earth and nature.
More Bests of 2024 for Kids
Kirkus Reviews 2024 - Best Middle Grade Non-Fiction
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. They review over 10,000 books a year before their release.
Kirkus Reviews - Best Middle Grade Books of 2024
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933. They review over 10,000 books a year before their release.
The Spinoff's best NZ Books of 2024 - Children's Literature
The best local books published this year, as selected by books editor Claire Mabey and a panel of experts.
2024 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.
2024 SLJ Best Books - Transitional Books
School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.
2024 SLJ Best Books - Middle Grade
School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.
2024 SLJ Best Books - Poetry, Non-Fiction
School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.
2024 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.
Kirkus Reviews - Best Picture Books of 2024
Earning a Kirkus Star is one of the most coveted awards in the publishing industry.
2024 ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children
ALA’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table (GNCRT) nominations for the 2024 Best Graphic Novels for Children (BGNC) Reading List.
Most Popular in 2024
Most Popular
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: eAudiobooks for teens
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is the year's most popular eAudiobook for teens.
Most Popular in 2024: eBooks for teens
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Court of Thorns and Roses series, Book 1 by Sarah J. Maas is the year's most popular eBook for teens.
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: eAudiobooks for teens
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas is the year's most popular eAudiobook for teens.
Most Popular in 2024: eBooks for teens
A Court of Thorns and Roses, Court of Thorns and Roses series, Book 1 by Sarah J. Maas is the year's most popular eBook for teens.
Summertime Reading Challenge
Ages 0 to 18. Keep reading this summer & win. Pick up a postcard, do 3 challenges, & drop the postcard in. Plus enjoy heaps of cool events!
Best of 2023
Best of the Year 2023
Most Popular 2023
Most Popular 2023: Tamariki - Kids
Here are the most popular pukapuka for tamariki in 2023!
Most Popular 2023: Rangatahi - Teens
The Heartstoppers series by Alice Oseman took out the top FOUR spots! See what other books were popular with teens.
Most Popular 2023
Find out what was popular this year - fiction, non-fiction, books for tamariki and rangatahi, and more!
Best of 2023: School Library Journal
SLJ Best Transitional Books 2023
"In these early readers and chapter books, children who are learning to read will see themselves reflected on the pages ..."
SLJ Best Picture Books 2023
School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.
SLJ Best Middle Grade Books 2023 (ages 11 to 13)
School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.
SLJ Best Young Adult Books 2023
School Library Journal (SLJ) is a magazine and website for school librarians and public librarians who work with young people.
Best of 2022
Best of the Year 2022
Best eBooks for Children 2022
A selection of award winners, bestsellers and well-reviewed eBooks from 2022 for toddlers to 12 year olds.
Ka Mau Te Wehi Ngā Pukapuka o Ngā Pakiwaitara 21/22
To mark the end of the Matariki period we have created Ka Mau Te Wehi Ngā Pukapuka O Ngā Pakiwaitara 21/22 - The Best Story Books of 21/22.
Best of 2021
Best of the Year 2021
Best of 2020
Best of the Year 2020
Best of 2019
Best of the Year 2019
Best of 2018
- Picture books
- Younger fiction
- Older fiction
- Young Adult
- Activities and Art
- Science and Technology
- People and Places
- Books, Stories, Poetry and Language
- Nature
- Graphic novels
2017
- Picture books
- Younger fiction
- Older fiction
- Young Adult
- Art and activities
- Science and technology
- People and places
- Poetry, fairy tales, language, or literature
- Natural world
- Graphic novels
Picks from the Best (and Worst) Children's book evening
- Best Older Fiction and Young Adult Reads in 2017 as picked by Rachael King, WORD Christchurch Literary Director.
- Best Junior Fiction Reads in 2017 as picked by Zac McCallum, Halswell School Librarian.
- Best Picture Books in 2017 as picked by Sophie O'Rourke, junior school teacher at Waitakiri Primary School.
2016
- Picture books
- Younger fiction
- Older fiction
- Young Adult
- Art and activities
- Science and technology
- People and places
- Words and Children's literature
- Natural world
- Recommended read-aloud picture books
2015
- Picture books
- Younger fiction
- Older fiction
- Young Adult
- Te Reo Māori
- Information books: animals, science and geography
- Information books: history, art and literature
2014
Best Reads from 2000 to today
Explore the best and most popular books. We have been recording the top books each year since 2000.
