Welcome to our Children's Librarian Picks, where our passionate children's librarians handpick the most delightful, heartwarming, and engaging books for young readers. Happy reading, little bookworms!
Children's Picture Books
A NZ writer and an Awesome book about being true to yourself and believing you can do something you think you can’t! A boy masters the perfect dive-bomb into the water with the help of his Nan.
There’s Nothing Faster than a Cheetah by Tom Nicholl and Ross Collins
Loads of fun to read out load and great retake on the tortoise and the hare story. Some snails are hatching a plan to Win!!
Children's Young Fiction
Rabbit and Bear Series by Julian Gough and Jim Field
A great series for readers starting on chapter books. Rabbit and Bear is about friendship, sharing and fun adventures between two unlikely friends.
A great early reader book written in graphic novel style; lovely kind-hearted owl is searching for friendship.
Children's Fiction
A book about a girl bullied for being fat. Ellie struggles with taunts everyday and she is relentlessly bullied about the way she looks. It is a powerful insight into being in someone else’s shoes.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
A girl with Dyslexia believes she is stupid and is seen as a troublemaker until a new teacher helps her to understand her Dyslexia and her talents.
Children's Non Fiction
Two NZ nonfiction books on famous New Zealand Men and Women. The books have just a page on a variety of famous New Zealanders and their accomplishments. There are many diverse and inspirational people in these two books and some amazing artwork.
Oh Boy: A Storybook of Epic NZ Men by Stuart Lipshaw
Stories about Kiwi men who followed their dreams and made the world a better place. An inspiring and essential storybook for children of all ages, grown-ups included. Stories featured in this book are of Billy T. James, Bret McKenzie, Bruce McLaren, Edmund Hillary, Ernest Rutherford, Fred Hollows, Jemaine Clement, Jonah Lomu, Kelly Tarlton, Liam Malone, Neil Finn, Peter Jackson, Richie McCaw, Steven Adams, Taika Waititi, Willie Apiata, Witi Ihimaera and others.
Go Girl: A Storybook of Epic NZ Women
A collection of true stories about New Zealand women who have done extraordinary things. They strove for their goals. They weren't afraid to step up or speak out. They blazed a trail for others to follow. The 48 chosen women are presented in alphabetical order of their Christian names. Each entrant has a header page with a quote, the year they were born and died (if relevant), and where they lived. Then two pages of text covering their life history and a full page illustration.
Young Adult Fiction
Ghost wants to run! It’s about his troubled life and the reason he runs. Another great read by Jason Reynolds who also wrote ‘All American boys”, “A long way Down” and other award-winning books.
A true story of two teenagers and how one encounter can change your life for ever! This book covers issues of gender, race, the criminal system, stereo typing and poverty.