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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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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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

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

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

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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Taketakerau, The Millennium Tree by Marie Anstis, Illustrated by Patricia Howitt

Kirsten Edwards

Mar 8, 20212 min read

Taketakerau, The Millennium Tree by Marie Anstis, Illustrated by Patricia Howitt

A child listens to Koro and Grandma as they weave a tale about the life and times of the ancient puriri tree Taketakerau...

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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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