In the life-cycle of a reader we bet it’s the childhood reading memories that matter most. Here are Unity’s bestselling books for November, just in time to help with the Christmas shopping.

AUCKLAND

1  Big Ideas For Curious Minds: An Introduction to Philosophy by Alain de Botton and Anna Doherty (Affirm Press, $40, 9+)

Is there anything better than a conversation with children about the meaning of life? This book is a catalyst for adults to learn from the wisdom of youth: help them help you ask the big questions. 

2  A Pūkeko in a Ponga Tree by Kingi Ihaka & Dick Frizzell (Puffin, $25, 3+)

This classic has been re-released in hardback with extra bells and tinsel, just in time for the holiday season. As well as the classic illustrations from iconic pop-artist Dick Frizzell and lyrics by Māori Language Commissioner Sir Kingi M. Ihaka, this edition includes music scores for playing along, and QR codes to music videos for singing along.

3  Fairies’ Night Before Christmas by Sarina Dickson & Sarah Greig (Hachette,  $20, 3+)

A sweet adventure into forest fairyland to see how the magical winged things celebrate Christmas. Excellent for festive hype-building on Christmas Eve.

4  Counting Creatures by Julia Donaldson illustrations by Sharon King-Chai (Two Hoots, $25, 2+)

A staple of this list since its release, this beautiful flap-book is stunning for tiny readers and will surely hook them into the world of Julia “creator of The Gruffalo” Donaldson before they can gurgle a rhyme.

5  My First Lift-The-Flap Nursery Rhymes by Ingela Arrhenius (Nosey Crow, $28, 2+)

This book has its own book trailer so you can view before you buy. You can see the vibrant illustrations, nifty flaps and sturdy hard back for those who like to chew their books.

6  Granny Mcflitter: the Knit Before Christmas by Heather Haylock (Puffin, $20, 3+)

Another charming tale about the Granny who is nifty at knitting from local author Heather Haylock, and illustrator Lael Chisholm. Can Granny Mcflitter prevent a disaster at the zoo on Christmas Eve? Snug and joyful for the festive season.

7  Atua: Māori Gods & Heroes by Gavin Bishop (Penguin, $40, 5+)

The children’s book of the year in Aotearoa, this large-format, strikingly illustrated book from one of the masters of the genre makes for a beautiful gift for anyone, the young and not-so-young.

8  Spaceboy by David Walliams (HarperCollins, $25, 4+)

Aliens, space … the allure of Walliams. No doubt this will make its way under a few Christmas trees this season. This one reminds us of Margaret Mahy’s brilliant book The Greatest Show Off Earth which is another very worthy option for space-loving readers.

9  Sylvia & the Birds by Johanna Emeney & Sarah Laing (Massey University Press, $40, 8+)

A thorough and beautifully illustrated book about Sylvia Durrant, who looked after 140,000 New Zealand birds during her 35 years as a bird rescue volunteer. Highlights of the book are The Problem with Predators, How to be a Backyard Bird Hero, and Activities sections which make the book a resource for families to delve into and use together. A marvellous gift option here.

10  Annual 3: A miscellany from Aotearoa New Zealand edited by Kate De Goldi & Susan Paris (Annual Ink, $45, 9+)

A thrilling ride through a multitude of adventures in reading and thinking: with essays, stories, comics, illustrations, games, this book is a wonderworld of fun for all kinds of readers thanks to creative commissioning. A hefty, excellent gift for young readers and their families and friends.

WELLINGTON 

1  Diper Överlöde (Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 17) by Jeff Kinney (Puffin, $18, 6+)

Book 17! Here’s what the blurb says to expect: “When he decides to tag along with his brother Rodrick’s band, Löded Diper, Greg doesn’t realize what he’s getting into. But he soon learns that late nights, unpaid gigs, fighting between band members, and money troubles are all part of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle. Can Greg help Löded Diper become the legends they think they are? Or will too much time with Rodrick’s band be a diper överlöde?”

2  Adventures of Mittens: Wellington’s Famous Purr-Sonality by Silvio Bruisma (Penguin, $20, 3+)

Meowy Christmas, Mittens.

3  Noisy Book by Soledad Bravi (Gecko Press, $25, babies)

The epitome of brilliance in children’s books: simple, interactive, fun, wild illustrations. Babies howling like wolves and honking like horns is all you need in life sometimes.

4  The Boy, the Mole, the Fox & the Horse by Charles Mackesy (Ebury Press, $40, all ages)

This is that Winnie-the-Pooh-esque book written in inky handwriting, with sketchy illustrations that are now on T-shirts and all manner of merch. Apparently the short film adaptation is coming this Christmas. No doubt it will jerk as many tears and warm as many hearts as the book.

5  Counting Creatures by Julia Donaldson illustrations by Sharon King-Chai (Two Hoots, $25, 2+)

6  Atua: Maori Gods & Heroes by Gavin Bishop (Penguin, $40, all ages)

7  Little Yellow Digger Finds Treasure by Peter Gilderdale & Fifi Colston (Scholastic, $22, 3+)

In this beloved classic there is buried treasure in the sand, a staple of fantasy adventures, and a perfect beach read for those impending long summer days of slow, seaside adventures.

8  One Weka Went Walking by Kate Preece (David Bateman, $25) 3+

This is a gorgeous local book: the illustrations are painterly and moving, and the story artfully employs the cheeky curiosity of the weka to send readers on a journey through Rekohu/Chatham Islands and the endangered birds who live there.

9  Tiaki: A shout-out to Aotearoa’s lesser-known creatures by Jean Donaldson (Potton Burton, $30, 8+)

A beautiful local picture book, one of the loveliest we’ve seen this year in the world of nature writing for young readers. The illustrations are works of art and the information is fascinating: you’ll find out about Smeagol the gravel maggot, a sea slug found on the south coast of Wellington; the moko kākāriki, a gecko with a bright blue mouth; the kōwaro/Canterbury mudfish, which can survive out of water for up to several months; and the tiny, critically endangered pekapeka-tou-roa/ long-tailed bat.

10  The 156-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton (Macmillan, $18, 6+)

You’ve got to love what this mad pair have done for hundreds upon thousands of young readers. Happy holiday reading kids!