Books About New Zealand

The Best New Zealand Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about new zealand? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 9 Favorite Books About New Zealand

Inky's Amazing Escape
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Inky's Amazing Escape

By Sy Montgomery, Amy Schimler-Safford (Illustrator)

An octopus escapes an aquarium, seeking the ocean's mysteries.

32 pages· 810 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 736 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Meet Inky, the octopus who captivated the world with his daring escape from a New Zealand aquarium. Bored and curious, Inky slithered across the floor and down a drainpipe to the sea. Discover his adventurous spirit and the wonders of the ocean in this beautifully illustrated tale. What drives Inky's quest for freedom, and what secrets does the ocean hold for him?
Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas
Sale price
$1697
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2012

Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas

By Lynne Cox, Brian Floca (Illustrator)

An elephant seal defies relocation, returning to her city home against all odds.

48 pages· 1,231 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 1,505 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In Christchurch, New Zealand, an elephant seal named Elizabeth defies all attempts to relocate her from the Avon River to the ocean. Despite being towed miles away by concerned volunteers, she persistently returns to the city, determined to stay in the place she calls home. What drives Elizabeth's unwavering journey back, and how will the city respond to her tenacity? Discover the heartwarming tale of an animal's unyielding sense of belonging and the community's struggle to balance safety with compassion.
Dawn Raid
Sale price
$1049
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

Dawn Raid

By Pauline Vaeluaga Smith, Mat Hunkin (Illustrator)

A 12-year-old's life changes as her family joins a protest movement in 1976 New Zealand.

288 pages
4.0 Goodreads · 756 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: In 1976 New Zealand, 12-year-old Sofia's world shifts when her brother Lenny introduces her to the Polynesian Panthers, a group inspired by the Black Panthers. As her family joins the fight against injustices faced by Pacific Islanders, Sofia navigates the challenges of growing up amidst protests and police raids. Through her diary, Sofia discovers the power of standing up for what's right. Will she find her voice in a world demanding change?
Secrets at Red Rocks
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2027

Secrets at Red Rocks

By Rachael King

A boy hides a sealskin he finds on a wild coast, and an ancient curse stirs.

208 pages
3.9 Goodreads · 222 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: On spring break with his father on New Zealand's rugged coast, Jake finds a sealskin hidden in the rocks and feels compelled to take it home. Soon a barefoot red-haired woman is peering into windows, his new friend Jessie seems as at home in the freezing sea as on land, nightmares haunt him, and his father is changing. Jake realizes too late that the skin belongs to a selkie, and that taking it has unleashed a terrible spell he must undo.
Teddy One-Eye
Chapter Book · 2014

Teddy One-Eye

By Gavin Bishop

A battered, much-loved teddy bear tells the story of his life with a boy growing up in New Zealand decades ago.

224 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 29 ratings
Hardcover
Summary: Teddy One-Eye has had a rough-and-tumble life. He has been dragged around, chewed on, left outside at night and has lost an eye, but his many patches show how much he is loved. In his own words, the bear recalls life with the boy who owned him, from a remote railway settlement to the city, giving a glimpse of a New Zealand childhood from long ago.
Moko to the Rescue
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$3482
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Moko to the Rescue

By Dolo Okecki (Illustrator)

A dolphin's cleverness saves trapped whales from a sandy fate.

32 pages
4.3 Goodreads · 11 ratings
$36.65Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 2008, at Mahia Beach, a playful dolphin named Moko became a hero. When two pygmy sperm whales were stranded between a sandbar and the shore, human efforts to rescue them failed. But Moko, with his unique understanding, guided the distressed whales back to the open sea. Discover the remarkable story of this intelligent dolphin and his extraordinary act of bravery that captured the hearts of many.
Thea Stilton and the Cave of Stars
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2023

Thea Stilton and the Cave of Stars

By Thea Stilton · Book #36 in the Thea Stilton series

A missing skeleton in New Zealand leads to a thrilling mystery.

176 pages· 12,508 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 107 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Thea Stilton and the Thea Sisters embark on a New Zealand adventure, eager to see the sights with their friend Charlotte. But when Didi, an ancient bird skeleton, vanishes from the museum, their trip turns into a race against time. Can they unravel the mystery and recover the stolen relic before it's lost forever? Join them in a tale of friendship and intrigue, where every clue counts and the stakes are higher than they imagined.
Climbing Everest
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2015

Climbing Everest

By Gail Herman, Michele Amatrula · Totally True Adventures series

Can two climbers conquer Everest's deadly heights through teamwork?

112 pages· 10,045 words· Est. 1.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 37 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: On the perilous slopes of Mount Everest, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, from different worlds, unite for a shared dream. Facing deadly storms and avalanches, can their teamwork lead them to the summit? Discover the thrilling true story of their historic climb, where courage and collaboration are tested against nature's fiercest challenges. This adventure invites young readers to explore the heights of human spirit and determination.
The Treasure of Mad Doc Magee
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Treasure of Mad Doc Magee

By Elinor Teele

A hidden gold treasure could save Jenny's home, but danger lurks in every shadow.

352 pages· 66,742 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
3.9 Goodreads · 33 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Jenny Burns faces losing her beloved town of Eden when her father loses his job. With her friend Pandora, she embarks on a perilous quest to find a legendary gold nugget hidden by Doc Magee. As they navigate riddles and unknown dangers, Jenny must confront her deepest fears. Can they uncover the treasure in time to save their home, or will the mysteries of the hills prove too great? Adventure, danger, and self-discovery await in this thrilling tale of grit and gold.
Ages 7–10Junior Chapter Book Club

Great books for ages 7–10, every month.

Two hardcover chapter books a month for readers ready for longer stories, with coordinated spines for a beautiful shelf.

See the Junior Chapter Book ClubFrom $21.95 a box
Books from the Junior Chapter Book Club in a Bookroo box