The Library has three collections specifically of children’s books, and a number of other collections that contain children’s books or related resources. You can find most items in these collections by searching the National Library Catalogue.
Dorothy Neal White Collection
The Dorothy Neal White Collection contains children’s books published before 1940 and reflects the books that New Zealand children have enjoyed and been influenced by. Most items are from Britain, Australia, and the United States.
More about the Dorothy Neal White Collection
National Children’s Collection
The National Children’s Collection contains books published since 1940 for children aged from birth to the end of their secondary school years. The collection includes copies of all New Zealand children’s books published in English, Māori and Pacific Island languages, and a selection of children’s books from overseas. You can borrow the books by interloan through your local library, or use them at the Library's reading room at 77 Thorndon Quay, Wellington.
More about the National Children’s Collection
Susan Price Collection
The Susan Price Collection contains books published from 1930 to the present day – mainly fiction published since World War II for children aged between 9 and 18. Books for life: the story of a collection of children’s books donated to the National Library of New Zealand by Susan Price, 1991, provides information about the collection’s contents.
More about the Susan Price Collection
International Children’s Digital Library
The International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL) is an online library of children’s books published in many different countries and languages. It includes digital copies of selected books from the National Library’s children’s collections.
International Children’s Digital Library website
More about New Zealand books in the International Children’s Digital Library
New Zealand and Pacific Book Collection
This Turnbull Library collection includes children’s books published in New Zealand; books about publications for children; and some children’s books from Australia and the Pacific.
More about the New Zealand and Pacific Book Collection
New Zealand Serials Collection
Magazines, journals and other serials relating to children's literature are in the Turnbull Library's New Zealand Serials Collection.
More about the New Zealand Serials Collection
Price Collection, Turnbull Formed Collections
This formed collection contains school textbooks dating between 1860 and 1960, donated by publisher Hugh Price and children’s writer Beverley Randell. Hugh Price collected the books when he was working on School books published in New Zealand to 1960. They have PRICE in the call mark on the National Library Catalogue.
More about the Turnbull Formed Collections
Turnbull General Collection
The Turnbull General Collection includes illustrated children’s books from the 19th century and early 20th century.
More about the Turnbull General Collection
General Lending Collection and General Serials Collection
The General Lending Collection and the General Serials Collection contain resources to support the study of children’s literature. These include bibliographies and reviewing journals, subject guides, and some biographical works.
More about the General Lending Collection
More about the General Serials Collection
Schools Collection
The Schools Collection has a contemporary focus and includes fiction and non-fiction books, videos and DVDs for children and young people. The collection is available for use by schoolteachers, trainee teachers and home schoolers. You can borrow the resources by interloan.
More about the Schools Collection
Children’s literature in other institutions
The following New Zealand libraries also hold children’s literature collections.
Colson collection, Auckland City Libraries – Auckland City Libraries website
Hugh Price Collection, The University of Auckland Library – University of Auckland website
