Books and activities for the kids these school holidays
We're always looking for ways to keep kids occupied in the school holidays! These are some fabulous books (and activity sheets) by local authors that are sure to entertain.
Ring Ting Tūī
A beautiful counting picture book bursting with troublesome tūī, perfect to read aloud!
Colour in these sheets from the melodious counting picture book!
Lulu and the Dance Detective Series
If you ever thought detectives can't be divas, you need to meet Lulu and her fabulous mystery-solving dance troupe! This illustrated chapter series, now with 4 books, is ideal for dance-mad emerging and confident readers. See them all here.
Try these activity sheets as well!
Take Me To Your Leader
Nine Girls
A page-turning adventure from Stacy Gregg, one of Aotearoa’s most internationally successful and locally awarded writers. A story about growing up in a time of social unrest in early 1980s New Zealand, Nine Girls is a page-turning adventure woven with suspense. Read an extract here.
Magical creatures, perilous trials and one unbelievable adventure await in Protector of Beyond, the first book in a gripping new fantasy book series from exciting new voice Shara Curlett.
We wanted to know what young Kiwi readers thought about Royalslinger, the fantastical second book in Graci Kim's Slinger series (hint: they loved it!). Read on to see their reviews!
What does The Whale Rider mean to you?
There’s a version of The Odyssey for every reader - read on to find the one for you to read before (or after!) you see the movie in theatres.
Learn more and apply for the Penguin Children’s Bookseller Grant – a $50,000 initiative designed to engage young readers.
Learn how to make seven Book Week costumes inspired by the Bluey books. Each costume is easy to make and will look great during Book Week!
Can you bake a beautiful loaf of bread? We’re on a search to find the best young bread baker!
Celebrate Matariki with Dr Hinemoa Elder at events across the South Island, in conversation about her books and the wisdom that inspires them.
Tell us what you love reading so we can personalise the books, recommendations and emails you receive from Penguin.
Read the first three chapters of Ariā and the Monster Island!
For generations, Lynley Dodd’s Hairy Maclary stories have introduced young children to the joy of reading…
There is nothing kids love more than a big old belly-laugh, and when it comes to reading, a book full of laugh-out-loud moments can unlock a joy of reading for life!