New Zealand Children's Books for Homeschoolers

This blog is a project to research and document New Zealand Children's living books for homeschooling.

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Kirsten Edwards

Oct 5, 20222 min read

Hazard Island by Phyl Wardell

A scuba diver goes missing - and the Hammond twins, John and Cathy, with their cousins Richard and Ann Cooper, set out to solve the mystery

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Kirsten Edwards

Aug 28, 20223 min read

Druscilla by Clarice England

It tells the story of Druscilla, a little girl from the age of 8 till when she leaves school.

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Kirsten Edwards

Aug 16, 20223 min read

Wanganui Adventure by Ken Saunders

The two teenage boys, Howard and Lindsey, are 14 and 16 and they are out on their own canoeing down the river. Everything changes....

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Kirsten Edwards

Aug 16, 20222 min read

Scrub Fire by Anne de Roo

Suddenly the campfire burst into flames. The long dry grass fared and the fame leapt into the trees. Bush fire!

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Why is that Lake so Blue? by Simon Pollard

Kirsten Edwards

May 16, 20222 min read

Why is that Lake so Blue? by Simon Pollard

In this fun-filled, fact-rich book, award-winning science writer Simon Pollard Shares the magic, secrets, mysteries, and marvels of Aotearoa

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 6, 20222 min read

Tuppenny Brown by Eve Sutton

The story of little Tuppenny Brown and his journey from thief to an honest worker is a great read.

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Home is the High Country (My Small Animal Friends) by Mona Anderson

Kirsten Edwards

Oct 10, 20212 min read

Home is the High Country (My Small Animal Friends) by Mona Anderson

Here are six appealing stories about the small creatures, both wild and tame...

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Kirsten Edwards

Sep 16, 20211 min read

Surgeon's Boy by Eve Sutton

It is 1840 and Jamie Fenton has accompanied his father, who has emigrated as a ship's doctor, to Sydney.

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Kirsten Edwards

May 12, 20212 min read

Skip for the Huntaway by Eve Sutton

The book is very short, only 40 pages and Katie's character can be very dramatic at times, but a wonderful story about compassion and persev

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Kirsten Edwards

Apr 22, 20213 min read

Kidnapped by Blackbirders by Eve Sutton

This is a fast-paced and gripping read and will be interesting if you are studying the Polynesian Islands or Australian history.

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Kirsten Edwards

Apr 11, 20212 min read

Johnny Sweep by Eve Sutton

I did not have any issues such as language or attitudes, etc. A wonderful story for younger readers.

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Kirsten Edwards

Apr 7, 20215 min read

Because of Rosie by Anne de Roo

Once again I am not disappointed by another book by master storyteller Anne de Roo. Nothing is predictable or contrived and the characters h

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 15, 20212 min read

Hidden Valley by Margaret Beames

This is a fast-moving story with many exciting incidents and interesting characters that will delight all 8 to 13-year-olds...

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The Children In The Bush Series by Ruth Dallas

Kirsten Edwards

Mar 15, 20214 min read

The Children In The Bush Series by Ruth Dallas

The children in the Bush are Sophie, Robbie, Helen and Jean, living in the New Zealand bush country about 80 years ago.

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 2, 20212 min read

Boy and the Sea Beast by Anne De Roo

Another wonderful book by Anne de Roo. This time she enters the mind of a young Maori boy who lives on a Pa with his mother...

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On The Trail of Te Kakaha by Hazel P. Harris

Kirsten Edwards

Feb 22, 20213 min read

On The Trail of Te Kakaha by Hazel P. Harris

Fifteen-year-old Ken Hayward is determined to find the missing half of Te Kakaha before the Christmas holidays finish.

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Wainamu: The Town By The Sea by Gordon Ell with sketches by Joanna Duder

Kirsten Edwards

Feb 13, 20211 min read

Wainamu: The Town By The Sea by Gordon Ell with sketches by Joanna Duder

The Town By the Sea tells the story of an imaginary New Zealand town through a thousand eventful years.

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Kirsten Edwards

Jan 26, 20211 min read

Clancy's Cabin by Margaret Mahy

One of Margaret Mahy's early books. Set in the New Zealand countryside...

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Kirsten Edwards

Jan 19, 20211 min read

The Hole in the Hill by Ruth Park

An adventure story based in New Zealand about two Australian children who stay on a farm that their father has just inherited.

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