The Children's Bookshop

03/12/2025

SAFETY ISSUE: correction needed in Play Wild book

The publisher has put out a press release today alerting readers to an error in the book.

'Vegetable Flowers' were included within a list of edible flowers on p.46.

Vegetable flowers from the nightshade family contain toxic glycoalkaloids and should not be eaten.

They encourage people to: 'cross out the words "and vegetables" with a thick marker on page 46.'

Please see the attached press release for more details.

We have emailed the customers we have contact details for who have bought this book from us. We know there are others who have also purchased this book from us, but we have no record of who they are. If you are one of these customers please contact us if you have any concerns.

27/11/2025

GIVEAWAY Odd-couple cousins Skunk and Badger are back in "Rock, Paper, Incisors" and we have a Jon Klassen print from the second book, "Egg Marks the Spot" to give away*. Purchase any Skunk & Badger book to go in the draw!
https://thechildrensbookshop.co.nz/catalog/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keyword=skunk+badger&search_type=core%5Ekeyword

*Must be collected from the bookshop*

01/11/2025

Just like the shops in this puzzle, we are “open for business” every day in the lead up to Christmas.
Monday to Friday - 9.00 to 5.30
Saturday and Sunday - 9.00 to 4.00
Online - always!

16/06/2025

This is the most amazing event - register your school before it is booked out, and if you are coming to the Wellington one see you there!

📚 Have you registered your school for Books Alive yet? Books Alive is a programme of large-scale, immersive events that bring hundreds of students in touch with finalist authors and illustrators in the weeks leading up to the annual New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults ceremony.

Every student attending a Books Alive event will receive a print copy of the 2025 NZCYA finalist activity booklet, and copies of the featured finalists' books will be available for sale.

All Books Alive events are FREE, but booking is essential.

📆 Palmerston North - Tuesday 22 July
📆 Invercargill - Wednesday 30 July
📆 Christchurch - Friday 8 August
📆 Wellington - Wednesday 13 August

👉 Find out more here: https://www.nzbookawards.nz/new-zealand-book-awards-for-children-and-young-adults/books-alive/

17/03/2025

So pleased to have Violet Gumble performing on stage with her band Violet and the Velvets.

Violet Grumble, twelve-year-old rock star in the making, forms a band with a ragtag group of friends. Against all odds, can they win a chance to compete at BandChamps?

Violet, created by award-winning NZ author and bass guitarist Rachael King, is a music-loving, guitar-toting tween whose dream is to compete at BandChamps.

The problem is that none of her friends can play an instrument. Violet won't let that stop her!

But things get tougher when the band's gear starts to go missing - what's going on?

Can Violet solve the mystery and harness her ADHD powers? Can she help the Velvets overcome stage fright AND beat The Alphas at the final showdown?

After all, you only need three chords to play a song ... how hard can it be?

27/02/2025

Last Friday was Bindi’s last time at Storytime, she is now retired. Bindi, we have loved having you at Storytime for the last 6 years. You have patiently waited for it to be 10.30, listened to stories and songs, and then had your Assistance Dog jacket taken off and let small children (and adults, especially booksellers) give you a pat. We will miss you, but you sure have earned your retirement. Thank you so much for coming every week.
Our Storytime is not on tomorrow due to Fringe Festival commitments, but Fairy Helen will be back next Friday 7 March at 10.30.

05/02/2025

A joyful, empowering celebration of choice with an adorable snail protagonist - follow the snail's sparkly silver trail on every page and join their amazing adventure!

Every morning, a little snail sets off on their Path. There are mountains to climb, rushing rivers to cross and, sometimes, when the path ahead seems impossible, they need to ask for help. But as long as it feels like the right Path for them, this determined snail keeps going.

Follow this adventurous snail as they decide not to follow the crowd and face unexpected challenges. This inspiring journey will help little ones understand that ANYONE can defy the odds and find their own unique way forward. My Path will help children choose their own special path . . . and keep going!

02/12/2024

CALLING ALL CREATIVE KIDS! - Illustration Contest.

To celebrate the launch of my new picture book, Jack's Books, I'm holding an illustration contest for kids 12 and under.

In Jack's Books, Jack loves to build things out of books. Draw your own book creation for a chance to win.

Email your entries to [email protected]. Entries close 4th December. Winners will be announced at the launch for Jack's Books, 10.30am, Sunday 8th December at The Children's Bookshop

27/11/2024

Do you have a family tradition of sharing an advent book or calendar each December night in the lead up to Christmas?
Or a pop & slot advent calendar that you build one day at a time?
If you need one we still have plenty to choose from. Be prepared for 1 December!
What is your favourite advent book?

05/11/2024

We are celebrating Cleft Awareness Week with a fabulous event on Saturday. Come and enjoy these new books, developed with input from NZ children with cleft, and with Cleft New Zealand.

When Coach’s whistle goes missing and the football team can’t practise, Ollie and his new friend, Āria, lead the search. There are clues about where the whistle might be and who took it – missing shoelaces, a dropped leaf and twig, some mud and a chewed net. It takes a while for the rest of the team to follow Ollie, who’s got great detective skills, as they find him hard to understand because of his cleft. But Āria’s used to identifying bird calls, and she encourages their teammates to really listen. Together, they learn about each other’s strengths, teamwork and acceptance, and they find the whistle in a surprising place.

This book delves into some of the feelings children with a cleft may experience and aims to open up a conversation. It includes a section with quotes from the youth advisory group about living with a cleft and information about what a cleft is and where to find support.

Huia Publishers

21/10/2024

We’ve already had our first customer in today to buy Hot Mess, book 19 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Greg Heffley is in for a particularly awkward summer with his whole family. The pressure is building for Greg, who discovers that when you mix heaps of family, a tiny beach house, and sweltering heat, it’s a recipe for disaster. Speaking of recipes—the secret ingredients behind Gramma’s famous meatballs have been closely guarded for years. Can Greg unpack all of his family’s mysteries before their vacation is over? Or will he just stir the pot?
This sidesplittingly relatable summer story is the funniest Wimpy Kid book yet!