What’s the best way to get adults reading? Get them reading when they’re children – and there’s no better place to start than Unity’s top-selling kids’ books.
AUCKLAND
1 Big Ideas for Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by Alain de Botton and Anna Doherty (Affirm Press, $40, 8+)
They say:
“Children are, in many ways, born philosophers. Without prompting, they ask some of the largest questions: about time, mortality, happiness and the meaning of it all. Yet sadly, too often, this inborn curiosity is not developed and, as they grow up, the questions fall away.”
We say: Parents of Tāmaki Makaurau, assume the brace position – the questions are about to level up.
2 The Noisy Book by Bravi Soledad (Gecko Press, $25, 0-2)
A board book which is beautifully designed and, in fact, blissfully quiet.
3 A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories: Matariki Around the World by Rangi Matamua and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Scholastic, $35, 7+)
This year brought a crop of splendid new Matariki books for children – if we could buy only one, this’d be it.
4 My First Pop-Up Dinosaurs by Owen Davy (Walker Books, $23, 4+)
Is there beta testing for pop-ups? If so, we want in. There’s nothing more joyful than watching a kid gasp at each page.
5 Where Is It? Wildlife Hunt For Kiwi Kids by Ned Barraud (Potton & Burton, $20, 4+)
We highly recommend this new paperback, especially for kids who like fact-based books and spotting things in pictures. Here they can search an ancient Aotearoa forest, a wetland, an estuary, a beach and a more modern forest. Cool creatures abound. Ideal price point for birthday presents, too. Click here for a look inside.
6 Down the Back Of The Chair by Margaret Mahy and Polly Dunbar (Frances Lincoln, $15, 0-5)
Dad’s keys are missing. The toddler knows where to look – but what else is hiding in that chair?
7 1 to 20 Animals Aplenty by Katie Viggers (Lawrence King, $25, 3+)
A counting book, beautifully done. “From dogs who have pet frogs and snakes who love to eat cakes to gorillas looking at mirrors and llamas wearing pyjamas!”
8 Inside New Zealand Wildlife by Dave Gunson (Bateman, $25, 7+)
“What does an insect’s eye actually see? Does an earthworm have ‘guts’? Does the flightless kiwi have any wings under all those feathers? Author and illustrator Dave Gunson delves deep inside some of our best-known species to see what’s really going on in there, and to find out just how our native creatures work!”
9 Animal BFFs: Even Animals Have Best Friends! by Sophie Corrigan (Frances Lincoln, $28, 3+)
This is a big book about symbiosis, presenting various animal pairs via a page of facts, then a page of cartoon + jokes. Avoid if you’re not into anthropomorphism with your animal facts.
10 Crane Guy by Sally Sutton and Sarah Wilkins (Picture Puffin, $20, 2-5)
That rare combo of spot-on words plus spot-on pictures. Recommended.
WELLINGTON
1 The Adventures of Mittens: Wellington’s Famous Purr-sonality by Silvio Bruinsma, illustrated by Phoebe Morris (Penguin, $20, 3+)
Yowl!
2 A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (Hardie Grant Books, $23, 10+)
Pelumi, on Goodreads:
“I haven’t seen a good mystery book like this since DAN BROWN!!!
OUT OF FIVE
ACTUAL RATING: 5
INTENSITY: 5
CHARACTERS: 4
PLOT: 4.4
TWISTS: 10”
3 Solitaire by Alice Oseman (HarperCollins, $30, 13+)
Heads up from the author: “Solitaire is a story about mental illness told through an unreliable narrator. The presentation of mental illness in this story is sometimes sensationalised, underexplained, and may be harmful to readers who have experienced mental illness. Please read safely and responsibly.
Please also note that Solitaire is a much darker, more graphic, more serious book than the Heartstopper series, and may not be suitable for all readers who have enjoyed Heartstopper.
Alice made editorial changes to Solitaire in August 2020. The edited edition has an author’s note at the front of the book.”
Read more, including specific content warnings, here.
4 The Lighthouse Princess by Susan Wardell and Rose Northey (Puffin, $20, 2+)
So so so so so so so good. Beautiful and feminist and poetic.
5 A Cluster of Stars, A Cluster of Stories: Matariki Around the World written by Rangi Matamua and Miriama Kamo, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Scholastic, $35, 7+)
6 Heartstopper Volume One by Alice Oseman (Hachette, $28, 12+)
Because Netflix.
7 One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus (Puffin, $21, 14+)
Because Netflix.
8 Counting Creatures by Julia Donaldson and Sharon King-Chai (Two Hoots, $25, 3-5)
Think about the best lift-the-flaps book you’ve seen and now think about the best words to go with. This is what you end up with.
9 Big Emotions for Little People by Rebekah Lipp and Craig Phillips (Wildling Books, $19, 2+)
Haven’t seen this one but we’re very on board with Wildling in general – they’re putting out excellent book after excellent book to help kids understand their emotions.
10 Heartstopper Volume Two by Alice Oseman (Hachette, $28, 12+)
Netflix, again.