books for preschool-age

Join Flit and his friends, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru, as they explore the night skies to work out how to capture a sparkling star. When the friends get lost, they follow the twinkling Matariki stars in the sky to find their way back home.

A heart-warming story about problem-solving with native NZ flora and fauna, and some insight into Matariki and counting in te reo Maori.

3-7yrs.

When the tiny seed is blown away from its parent plant, it travels a very long way - over seas, deserts and mountains. The tiny seed survives the hazards of the journey and finally falls onto fertile earth. It grows and grows, becoming the tallest, biggest flower for miles around. Then one day the wind blows and thousands of the flower's seeds begin their own journeys.

Discover the wonders that lie hidden between stalks, under the shade of leaves and down in the dirt. Explore the hidden world and many lives of a garden through the course of a year. Up in the Garden, the world is full of green - leaves and sprouts, growing vegetables, ripening fruit. But Down in the Dirt exists a busy world - earthworms dig, snakes hunt, skunks burrow - populated by all the animals that make a garden their home.

A spectacular illustrated picture book exploring New Zealand’s unique landscapes and its incredible wildlife by the author of Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story, Gavin Bishop.

Journey through ocean, sky and land to meet a marvellous range of organisms.

Discover fascinating facts, and learn how we influence the survival of our living treasures.

Interest and reading age is 5-12yrs. Hardback, 64 pages.

A must-have compendium for children curious about New Zealand’s wild animals.

Based on the award-winning and best-selling ‘Explore and Discover’ children’s series about New Zealand’s natural history, this book is packed full of illustrations and information about our native animals, both common and rare, as well as many well-known introduced animals. This book includes land and sea birds, frogs and lizards, many kinds of fish and other marine creatures, insects and invertebrates.

This is an essential and beautiful reference book for all New Zealand kids. Children can pore over the pages on their own or read it with an adult, but with such engaging images and fun facts, this is a reference book we will all wish we’d had as a child.

Hardback, 112 pages. Author: Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud.

A unique "look and find" book for all children who want to learn about New Zealand's wildlife.

Every page illustrates a different natural environment, including the forest, the mountains, the beach, rockpools, the ocean, an estuary and a wetland, as well as a wildlife sanctuary. In each of these habitats there are different creatures to be found, some obvious, some more hidden. This book is a fantastic way to teach younger children about New Zealand’s wildlife, and what lives where.

The book also includes a glossary, with interesting information on each creature, which will help expand a child’s knowledge about New Zealand’s remarkable natural world.

Stunning illustrations by leading New Zealand illustrator of natural history, Ned Barraud.

4-7yrs. 26cm x 26cm. Paperback, 32 pages. Author: Ned Barraud.

An engaging guide for children to the birds that that they see and hear in their backyards. Some of these might be native birds, such as the tui, korimako/bellbird, kereru and piwakawaka/fantail. But just as likely they will be introduced birds such as the thrush, blackbird, sparrow and starling.

It brings to life our most accessible wildlife, with details on the different birds we are likely to see around our homes, and useful background information about birds in general. It is the latest book from leading author and illustrator, Ned Barraud (who has also created New Zealand’s Backyard Beasts), and will be an essential companion for every Kiwi child.

Paperback, 36 pages. 29.5cm x 23cm. Author: Ned Barraud.

In the garden, creeping along branches, hiding under stones or flitting from flower to flower, a whole universe of creatures is waiting to be discovered.

- Butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, spiders…what have you found in your backyard?
- Did you know that chorus cicadas live underground for most of their life?
- That bumblebees have smelly feet?
- That some species of stick insect are all female?

In this book, children and adults can learn to identify some of the creatures most commonly found in the backyard. Beautiful illustrations are accompanied by informative text and fascinating facts.

The book also introduces the magical transformations of complete and incomplete metamorphosis that insects undergo in their lifecycle. From the simply curious to the budding entomologist, New Zealand’s Backyard Beasts will please and inform all age groups about the fascinating creatures found in the back garden.

Paperback, 40 pages. Author: Ned Barraud.

Identifying New Zealand's insects, spiders and other land invertebrates is made simple with this guide by best-selling author Andrew Crowe.

Explore over 300 life-size photographs, learn about the life-cycle of different insects and use the handy colour-coded chart for fast, accurate identification.

30cm x 21cm. Paperback, 32 pages.

The weather around us offers a perfect starting point for exploring the wonders of nature. The engaging science experiments and open-ended art activities in this book aim to give children ages 4-8 a basic understanding of the science behind the weather that they experience each day, while also encouraging creativity, questioning, and a spirit of curiosity - perfect for budding naturalists.

Full of accessible information about weather science and the way things work, this hands-on guide to exploring the natural world will inspire a sense of wonder and adventure, no matter what the day brings.

Introduces young children to common creatures they can find in New Zealand gardens. The book describes their habitats and relationship with other living things, and includes many interesting and intriguing facts.

It encourages children to explore their gardens and discover the plants and animals that live there, with sections on bees, wasps and flies; butterflies and moths; snails and spiders; lizards, mammals and birds.

Aimed at children from pre-schoolers and up, the book will also appeal to anyone who is curious about the wild side of New Zealand gardens.

4-8yrs. 23cm x 21cm. Paperback, 32 pages. Author: Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud.

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In the Bush is the fourth title in the popular and award-winning ‘explore & discover’ series. The successful author and illustrator combination of Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud, turn their attention to the New Zealand bush and its iconic animals and plants.

Young readers will be fascinated to learn more about familiar creatures as well as discover other intriguing plants and animals and see how they relate to each other in the forest ecosystem. Learn about pests and other dangers to our native wildlife and catch a glimpse of animals and plants that thrive in wildlife sanctuaries.

Includes insects and other invertebrates, fungi, ferns and mosses, birds, bats, introduced pests, vines, epiphytes, and trees.

23cm x 21cm. Paperback, 36 pages. Author: Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud.

The sixth title in the award-winning `explore & discover’ series, this book provides children with an opportunity to look under the surface and see what special creatures live around New Zealand’s freshwater habitats – our creeks, rivers, lakes and wetlands.

Included in this title are animals ranging from the familiar pukeko to the rarely seen bittern, from the iconic eel to tiny whitebait, and some of the many barely known aquatic insects.

Swimmable and drinkable fresh water are hot topics, and this book shows that many native animals depend on healthy waterways for a habitat, and their presence is often used as a sign of the water’s health.

Beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched, this is a wonderful and intriguing way for children to learn about New Zealand’s freshwater environments.

23cm x 21cm. Paperback, 36 pages. Author: Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud.

Introduces young children to the creatures that live in the seas around New Zealand. The book describes different habitats: underwater reefs, the sea floor, the open ocean and the deep ocean.

Animals featured in the fact pages include octopus and squid, sharks and rays, whales, dolphins, penguins and many others.

Under the Ocean is the third volume in the Explore and Discover series, following Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud’s best-selling At the Beach and the popular title In the Garden.

It was written in response to children’s requests to have a book that included sea creatures such as sharks, octopus and giant squid. Although children can’t explore the sea first hand in the way they can explore a garden or the beach, they are fascinated by the amazing creatures that live in the ocean.

23cm x 21cm. Paperback, 32 pages. Author: Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud.

What New Zealand child is not delighted by a rockpool at low tide, with its colourful, fascinating array of creatures, some still, some flitting about?

Rockpools is a book designed to enhance this experience, with each page presenting an intriguing glimpse into the creatures that inhabit these low-tide wonderlands. All of the common creatures from New Zealand seashore, including crabs, sea-anemones, starfish, barnacles and shrimps, and many more, feature in this book, which cannot help but delight and encourage children to interact with the natural world.

A stunningly illustrated guide to New Zealand’s rock pools.

29.5cm x 23cm. Paperback, 32 pages. Author: Ned Barraud.

5-10yrs.

The book begins with a glimpse of the animals that lived in New Zealand just before people arrived. It then goes back in time, providing snapshots of particular periods, as far back as 180 million years ago.

The range of animals covered in this book is remarkable: moa and other extraordinary birds that are now extinct; crocodilians and turtles; the shark-toothed dolphin and giant penguins; dinosaurs such as sauropods and theropods; as well as those resilient survivors who can still be found in New Zealand today, such as kiwi, native bats, giant weta and tuatara.

Beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched, this is a wonderful and intriguing way for children to learn something about the origins of New Zealand.

Perfect for those wanting to discover, learn and use everyday words in te reo Maori. The illustrations in this hard-cover book are designed to help with comprehension, particularly for younger learners. Over 1000 Maori words, translated into English.

Help your tamariki learn te reo Maori with this brilliant first words bilingual book. With pictures labelled with the Maori and English words, each page introduces the concepts and words children use as they first begin to talk, get to know people and explore the world around them.

This compilation of words and sentence structures used in the Te Reo Singalong series, as well as some new ones, is a perfect Maori language companion for adults and children. Download the accompanying app to check your pronunciation, and increase your fluency in Maori vocabulary and sentence structure.

This book gives an example of a pepeha template so children can learn how to introduce themselves in a traditional Maori way. Three children demonstrate their names, their mountains, their rivers, their parents’ names and where they are from. There is also a second sound track so children can learn to fill in the gaps with their own pepeha.

Includes:
- Repetitive sentence structure: “Ko wai to …..?” (What is your….?)
- Singalong CD whicor audio dohnload w turns the book into a song
- English translation
- Activity ideas
- Picture glossary
- Guitar chords

This book is about morning routines in the home and brings a previously written song to life in a book. The song, by Ruia Aperahama, is a joyful way to celebrate the new day with children, and the photos in the book bring the song to life.

Includes:
- Repetitive sentence structure: “Kei te whiti mai te ra.” (The sun is shining)
- Singalong CD or audio download which turns the book into a song
- English translation
- Activity ideas
- Picture glossary
- Guitar chords

Boxed set rua (series 2) includes 3 bilingual board books:
- Nga Ahua - Shapes
- Te Kaute - Counting
- Nga Tae - Colours

Gain more everyday sentence structures and acquire knowledge of shapes, numbers and colours.

0-5yrs.

Boxed set toru (series 3) includes 3 bilingual board books:
- Mahi - Actions
- Kare a-roto - Feelings
- Kupu Tauaro - Opposites

Introduces simple pro-noun use, language for simple introductions, wellbeing enquiries and responses, and actions.

0-5yrs.

Boxed set tahi (series 1) includes 3 bilingual board books:
- Kararehe - Animals
- Kakahu - Getting Dressed
- Kanohi - My Face

Find simple, repetitive sentences you will use in everyday situations and plenty of new kupu for your vocabulary.

0-5yrs.

Each season has something special about it, and in this book we explore what that is. What shall we wear, where shall we go and what will we see? New sensations, noises and tastes; so much that is new! Follow the children as they spend time discovering the joys of indoor and outdoor play. Creative and inventive, interesting and funny, you will find lots of things that inspire you. 1-4yrs.

Let’s play outside! Rain, snow, sun or wind – there’s a wealth of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures to discover and enjoy. In this book, the author celebrates the immediate and sensory response of children to the natural world – whatever the weather! 1-3yrs.

Each season has something special about it, and in this book we explore what that is. What shall we wear, where shall we go and what will we see? New sensations, noises and tastes; so much that is new! Follow the children as they spend time discovering the joys of indoor and outdoor play. Creative and inventive, interesting and funny, you will find lots of things that inspire you. 1-4yrs.

Let’s play outside! Rain, snow, sun or wind – there’s a wealth of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures to discover and enjoy. In this book, the author celebrates the immediate and sensory response of children to the natural world – whatever the weather! 1-3yrs.

Each season has something special about it, and in this book we explore what that is. What shall we wear, where shall we go and what will we see? New sensations, noises and tastes; so much that is new! Follow the children as they spend time discovering the joys of indoor and outdoor play. Creative and inventive, interesting and funny, you will find lots of things that inspire you. 1-4yrs.

Let’s play outside! Rain, snow, sun or wind – there’s a wealth of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures to discover and enjoy. In this book, the author celebrates the immediate and sensory response of children to the natural world – whatever the weather! 1-3yrs.

Let’s play outside! Rain, snow, sun or wind – there’s a wealth of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures to discover and enjoy. In this book, the author celebrates the immediate and sensory response of children to the natural world – whatever the weather! 1-3yrs.

Each season has something special about it, and in this book we explore what that is. What shall we wear, where shall we go and what will we see? New sensations, noises and tastes; so much that is new! Follow the children as they spend time discovering the joys of indoor and outdoor play. Creative and inventive, interesting and funny, you will find lots of things that inspire you. 1-4yrs.

Set of 26 large, colourful, illustrated cards to accompany the Alphabet Rhyme Time book (SKU: T3400), sold separately.

Perfect for classroom display.

Cards measure 29.7cmL x 21cmW.

These beautifully crafted beech wood shapes are printed front and back with characters from the nursery rhymes.

Set 2 has 7 objects: a cow, a cat, two birds, a pie, a teapot and a cup. Enabling children to re-enact the rhymes for the letters c, p, x and t.

Pieces range in size from 4.3cm-11.4cmL and all pieces are 1.4cm thick. 10mth+.

These beautifully crafted beech wood shapes are printed front and back with characters from the nursery rhymes.

Set 1 has 8 objects: a bicycle, five ducklings, a bus, and a spider.

Enabling children to re-enact the rhymes for the letters d, q, v and i.

Pieces range in size from 4.5cm-9.4cmL and all pieces are 1.4cm thick. 10mth+.

A creative way to introduce letters and their sounds.

Each letter of the alphabet has a nursery rhyme or song with an illustration.

Supports children's speech and language skills.

A4, 124 pages.

Kiwi, our national bird, are facing a precarious battle for survival on mainland New Zealand as predators, especially cats, dogs and stoats, take their toll.

This book captures the reality of life for a kiwi trying to hatch an egg, fending off attacks from cats and dogs, and ultimately being saved from stoat predation by trapping.

This is an important, inspiring book for children that deftly communicates the importance of recovery programmes for our native wildlife.