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

Jul 312 min read

Aotearoa: A History of New Zealand

A storybook for young children about the early history of New Zealand.

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The Story of New Zealand by Judith Bassett, Keith Sinclair and Marica Stenson

Kirsten Edwards

Jul 213 min read

The Story of New Zealand by Judith Bassett, Keith Sinclair and Marica Stenson

A very readable history of New Zealand for young people - highly recommended.

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Green Gold & Valley of Heavenly Gold by Eve Sutton

Kirsten Edwards

Jun 112 min read

Green Gold & Valley of Heavenly Gold by Eve Sutton

The first and last books written by Eve Sutton - adventures in early New Zealand.

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Kirsten Edwards

Apr 43 min read

Shining Rivers by Ruth Dallas

Johnie Crawford is only 14, but soon catches the "gold fever" and heads to the gold fields in this novel about the NZ gold rush in the 1860s

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 12 min read

The Greenstone Axe by E. M. Ellin

The three Archer children look after their farm while their parents are away, but everything changes when they find a greenstone axe.

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The Children of Clearwater Bay by E. M. Ellin

Kirsten Edwards

Feb 132 min read

The Children of Clearwater Bay by E. M. Ellin

Six children must flee to safety and reunite with their parents in old New Zealand during the land wars.

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Explorer Zach & Moko's Hideout - both by Elsie Locke

Kirsten Edwards

Dec 13, 20232 min read

Explorer Zach & Moko's Hideout - both by Elsie Locke

Two picture books by Elsie Locke - Explorer Zach and Moko's Hideout.

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Station Life in New Zealand by Lady Barker

Kirsten Edwards

Nov 14, 20232 min read

Station Life in New Zealand by Lady Barker

The New Zealand classic written by Lady Barker and her adventures of living on a sheep station with her husband.

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Kirsten Edwards

Nov 3, 20232 min read

The Kauri and the Willow by Elsie Locke

Elsie Locke has created a collection of stories and source materials to complement a child's New Zealand history readings.

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The Rhys Griffiths Read Aloud Stories Vol I & II / Edited by S. J. Woodward

Kirsten Edwards

Nov 2, 20232 min read

The Rhys Griffiths Read Aloud Stories Vol I & II / Edited by S. J. Woodward

Engaging stories to read aloud from New Zealand history - Vols I & II.

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Kirsten Edwards

May 14, 20234 min read

The End of the Harbour by Elsie Locke

David and his family settle in Auckland during the 1860s while the Taranaki War continues not far from his colonial town.

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Kirsten Edwards

Apr 4, 20235 min read

A Canoe in the Mist by Elsie Locke

Runaway Settlers' author, Elsie Locke, takes us back to the 1886 Mount Tarawera Eruption in this gripping historical fiction for children.

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Kirsten Edwards

Mar 14, 20232 min read

Young Jane by Eileen Soper

A young girl from the 1860s discovers friendship and uncovers secrets on her grandfather's sheep farm.

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Kirsten Edwards

Dec 15, 20223 min read

A River Rules My Life by Mona Anderson

Mona Anderson's classic best-selling book about life on a New Zealand high country station.

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Jimmy and the Bridge by Kenneth Saunders

Kirsten Edwards

Dec 15, 20222 min read

Jimmy and the Bridge by Kenneth Saunders

It is a very rare book. If you find a copy, buy it and treasure it - what a gem.

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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

May 19, 20222 min read

Moa Hunter by Eve Sutton

Kotiri was the Chief's son and naturally expected to succeed his father as leaders of the tribe...

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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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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

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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