New Zealand children’s books in the ICDL published since 1970

ANZAC Day by Kevin Boon. Wellington : Kotuku Publishing, 2000.

Explains why New Zealand commemorates ANZAC Day and outlines New Zealand's involvement in war, including the New Zealand Wars, the Boer War, World War One, and World War Two.

Crayfishing with grandmother by Jill Bagnall, Jessica Wallace and Hapi Potae. Auckland : Collins, 1973.

Wira spends the day at the beach with his grandmother, grandfather and brother gathering crayfish, pipi and kina. The first bilingual English and Māori picture book.

Cry baby moon [English] by Katerina Mataira. Wellington : Mallinson Rendel, 1992.

Upset because she is unable to see her reflection in the sea, Moon takes some advice from Cloud, Thunder, Lighting and, finally, Rainbow.

Cry baby moon [Māori] by Katerina Mataira. Wellington : Mallinson Rendel, 1992.

Upset because she is unable to see her reflection in the sea, Moon takes some advice from Cloud, Thunder, Lighting and, finally, Rainbow.

The duck in the gun by Joy Cowley and Robyn Belton. Auckland : Shortland Educational, 1984.

The war was all ready to begin when a duck was discovered nesting in the only cannon. So for want of a cannon war was avoided.

Edmund Hillary by Kevin Boon. Wellington : Kotuku Publishing, 1991.

Outlines the life and career of Edmund Hillary including his ascent of Mount Everest, his polar and other expeditions, his efforts on behalf of the Sherpa people and his appointment as New Zealand's High Commissioner to India.

The house that grew [Māori] by Jean Strathdee and Jessica Wallace. Auckland : Oxford University Press, 1987.

When their country house becomes too small for comfort, Rachel's mother and her friend decide to build her a playhouse of her own.

The house that grew [English] by Jean Strathdee and Jessica Wallace. Auckland : Oxford University Press, 1987.

When their country house becomes too small for comfort, Rachel's mother and her friend decide to build her a playhouse of her own.

Kapai counts to ten [English] & [Māori] by Uncle Anzac. Auckland : Random House, 1997.

Kapai the kiwi learns to count to ten in English and in Māori.

Katherine Mansfield by Kevin Boon. Petone : Nelson Price Milburn, 1991.

A biography of one of New Zealand’s best-known authors.

Maori legends for young New Zealanders by Katarina Mataira. Auckland : Hamlyn, 1975.

Eleven Māori legends, briefly retold.

Margaret Mahy by Kevin Boon. Wellington : Kotuku Publishing, 1993.

Profiles New Zealand's best known author of children's books.

Mrs McGinty and the bizarre plant Mrs McGinty and the bizarre plant by Gavin Bishop. Auckland : OUP, 1982.

A seedling transforms Mrs McGinty from the butt of children's pranks into a local celebrity when it grows into an enormous plant.

The puriri tree [English] by Merito Tawhara. Wellington : Huia, 2000.

When Hemi's grandfather tells him the tiny seed he has found is the beginning of a great tree, Hemi thinks it might be a trick, but he plants the seed. Years pass, the boy becomes a man, and the seed becomes a tree. Now it is Hemi's granddaughter who wonders how a tiny seed can become a great tree.

The puriri tree [Māori] by Merito Tawhara. Wellington : Huia, 2000.

When Hemi's grandfather tells him the tiny seed he has found is the beginning of a great tree, Hemi thinks it might be a trick, but he plants the seed. Years pass, the boy becomes a man, and the seed becomes a tree. Now it is Hemi's granddaughter who wonders how a tiny seed can become a great tree.

The story of the All Blacks by Kevin Boon. Wellington : Kotuku Publishing, 1992.

Early history of the All Blacks, the New Zealand rugby team.

Sydney and the sea monster by David Elliot. Auckland : Random House, 1999.

Sydney the penguin, who was an inventor, lived at a safe beach. Safe that is until a large ship drifted out of the mist bristling with harpoons and cudgels for hunting whales and seals. With his friend Bill the whale, Sydney devised a cunning invention to frighten away the intruders.

Taming the taniwha [English] by Tim Tipene. Wellington : Huia, 2001.

With the help and support from his family, Tama finds a way to tame the bully at school who becomes his friend.

Taming the taniwha [Māori] by Tim Tipene. Wellington : Huia, 2001.

With the help and support from his family, Tama finds a way to tame the bully at school who becomes his friend.

Moko's hideout By Elsie Locke. Christchurch : Whitcoulls, 1976.

Four stories for children around the theme of New Zealand wildlife.

Weaving earth and sky by Robert Sullivan and Gavin Bishop. Auckland : Random House, 2002.

Six traditional Māori tales : The creation voyages, Tāne and Hine Titama, The stories of Māui, The adventures of Tāwhaki, The adventures of Rata, and Kupe's voyage.

Whirikoki and his seal [Māori] by Mere Clark and Manu Smith. Wellington : Huia, 1997.

A tale of the fun and games Whirikoki, a tohunga of Turanganui, had with his pet seal and how that frolicksome pair brought about the occurrence of oil at a place called Manga-Tai-Kapua.

Whirikoki and his seal [English] by Mere Clark and Manu Smith. Wellington : Huia, 1997.

A tale of the fun and games Whirikoki, a tohunga of Turanganui, had with his pet seal and how that frolicksome pair brought about the occurrence of oil at a place called Manga-Tai-Kapua.

Sione’s talo [Samoan] by Lino Nelisi and Elspeth Williamson. Auckland : Ashton Scholastic, 1992.

One day, Sione found a huge talo growing on his plantation. He pulled, and pulled, and pulled, but he couldn't pull it out.

Sione’s talo [Niuean] by Lino Nelisi and Elspeth Williamson. Auckland : Ashton Scholastic, 1992.

One day, Sione found a huge talo growing on his plantation. He pulled, and pulled, and pulled, but he couldn't pull it out.

Sione’s talo [English] by Lino Nelisi and Elspeth Williamson. Auckland : Ashton Scholastic, 1992.

One day, Sione found a huge talo growing on his plantation. He pulled, and pulled, and pulled, but he couldn't pull it out.

Sione’s talo [Māori] by Lino Nelisi and Elspeth Williamson. Auckland : Ashton Scholastic, 1992.

One day, Sione found a huge talo growing on his plantation. He pulled, and pulled, and pulled, but he couldn't pull it out.

Ko te tua i a Aiani [Tongan] by Lino Nelisi and Falcon Halo. Wellington : Learning Media, 1994.

Aiani and her family were visiting relatives on Niue. Her Uncle Tuki offered to teach her how to make pia (Arrowroot). Uncle Tuki warns Aliani to watch carefully so that the aitu (ghost) cannot step over the pia bringing bad luck to this sacred food. Māori language.

Ko te tua i a Aiani [Rarotongan / Cook Island Māori] by Lino Nelisi and Falcon Halo. Wellington : Learning Media, 1994.

Aiani and her family were visiting relatives on Niue. Her Uncle Tuki offered to teach her how to make pia (Arrowroot). Uncle Tuki warns Aliani to watch carefully so that the aitu (ghost) cannot step over the pia bringing bad luck to this sacred food. Māori language.

Ko te tua i a Aiani [Niuean] by Lino Nelisi and Falcon Halo. Wellington : Learning Media, 1994.

Aiani and her family were visiting relatives on Niue. Her Uncle Tuki offered to teach her how to make pia (Arrowroot). Uncle Tuki warns Aliani to watch carefully so that the aitu (ghost) cannot step over the pia bringing bad luck to this sacred food. Māori language.