The 10 Best Christmas Books For Children Across New Zealand This Festive Season

New Zealand Looking for the perfect gift for young readers this Christmas? The World Literacy Foundation (WLF), a national charity supporting early childhood and youth literacy, has curated the Top 10 Christmas Books for Children Aged 0–13. These festive, beautifully illustrated stories are ideal for storytime, family reading, and sparking a lifelong love of books.

This year, WLF highlights the urgent need for literacy support across New Zealand. Research shows that around 1 in 4 children in low-income households in New Zealand do not own a single children’s book (First Book New Zealand, 2025). Children without printed books face disadvantages in vocabulary, reading comprehension, school readiness, and long-term learning outcomes.

Christmas is the perfect moment to give a gift that lasts a lifetime: the gift of reading.

Andrew Kay, CEO & Founder of the World Literacy Foundation, said: “Early literacy begins long before school age, and access to books is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s future reading success. By choosing diverse, meaningful stories this Christmas, especially those reflecting New Zealand’s culture, families, and traditions, we can nurture connection, imagination, and a love for reading from the very beginning.”

New Zealand Top 10 Christmas Books for Kids (0–13 years)

A Kiwi Christmas, Bronwyn Elsmore & Jacqui Colley. Picture book, 3–7
A heartwarming story of Kiwi children preparing for Christmas in a uniquely New Zealand setting, with native animals and festive traditions.
(Elsmore, B., & Colley, J., 2022)

The Night Before Christmas in Aotearoa, Margaret Mahy & Gavin Bishop. Picture / Board book, 0–5
A New Zealand twist on the classic tale, bringing local landscapes, Māori motifs, and native wildlife into the festive story.
(Mahy, M., & Bishop, G., 2021)

The First Kiwi Christmas, Alison Condon & Gina Taggart. Picture book, 4–7
Set in 1814 Aotearoa, Māori and early settlers celebrate the first Christmas together. Bright illustrations bring to life the boats, animals, and community spirit of this historic Kiwi Christmas.
(Condon, A. & Taggart, G., 2019)

Te Rā Kirihimete o Hemi / Hemi’s Christmas Day, Tania Roxborogh & Tracy Duncan. Bilingual Māori / English picture book, 3–8
Hemi experiences Christmas in his whānau, combining Māori language and traditions with festive cheer.
(Roxborogh, T., & Duncan, T., 2022)

Meri Kirihimete, Kiwi!, Lynley Dodd. Picture book, 3–7
A playful festive story featuring familiar Kiwi characters celebrating Christmas with laughter and fun.
(Dodd, L., 2019)

My Kiwi Christmas, Donovan Bixley. Board book / picture book, 0–6
A colourful MāoriEnglish book that shows how Christmas is celebrated in NewZealand, with local words, traditions and holiday fun.
(Bixley, D., 2021)

Paddington’s New Zealand Christmas, Michael Bond & Gavin Bishop. Picture / Chapter book, 5–11
Paddington visits New Zealand for the holidays, discovering local traditions and the spirit of giving.
(Bond, M., & Bishop, G., 2020)

Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy, Lynley Dodd. Picture book, 3–7
Follow Hairy Maclary, the mischievous little dog, as he races through the streets of his New Zealand town, meeting friends and getting into all sorts of fun and trouble. A classic Kiwi picture book full of rhyme, humor, and charming illustrations.
(Dodd, L., 1983)

Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers, Lynley Dodd. Picture/board book, 2–6
Sneaky SlinkyMalinki the cat tries to resist the temptations of the Christmas tree, but of course ends up causing festive chaos, climbing the tree and messing up all the decorations. A playful, rhyming Christmas tale full of humor and mischief, perfect for preschoolers and early readers. Dodd, L. (2019). Slinky Malinki's Christmas Crackers.

Kid Christmas: of the Claus Brothers Toy Shop, David Litchfield. Picture book, 4–8
The story of Nicky Claus and his uncles who make magical toys. When Nicky sees children who cannot afford gifts, he ensures everyone receives a special present in one night, creating the legend of Santa Claus.
(Litchfield, D., 2023)

“Christmas is the perfect time to introduce children to books,” says the World Literacy Foundation. “Even a single book can spark imagination, language development, and a lifelong love of reading. By gifting books this festive season, families across New Zealand can give more than a present, they can give opportunity.”

About the World Literacy Foundation

The World Literacy Foundation is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to ensuring every child has the opportunity to acquire literacy skills and access educational resources, regardless of their background or location. The Foundation works in over 80 countries to provide books, digital learning tools, and literacy support to children in need.

For more information, visit: www.worldliteracyfoundation.org

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