Scholastic New Zealand Limited is one of New Zealand’s largest publishers and distributors of children’s books. Founded in 1962, the company publishes 30–40 titles annually, aimed at all levels, from preschool to young adult. Locally published titles are actively promoted overseas, initially through the international Scholastic group.
Series information
Scholastic New Zealand is one of the largest producers of literary children’s books. Each local title is carefully commissioned and crafted to be age-appropriate, culturally responsive, and of a high literary standard.
Scholastic New Zealand’s long standing contribution to New Zealand children’s literature spans enduring favourites to the newest of contemporary stories. Aimed at ages 3-7, the picture books range encourage reading aloud and independent reading through humour, adventure, animals, and true stories. Iconic titles like The Little Yellow Digger have been in print for over 20 years, winning awards for their status as much-loved books. New titles like Out in the Moana foreground poetry with luminous illustrations and are published simultaneously in te reo Māori. Bestselling series like the Wonky Donkey continue to enthrall readers internationally with their warmhearted, playful stories.
Scholastic New Zealand publishes a range of children’s books in te reo Māori, as well as stories of cultural importance to Māori. Titles include translations of well-loved picture books, new titles simultaneously published in te reo Māori and English, and bilingual books. Evergreen favourites like I Te Tīmatanga / In the Beginning bring Māori mythology to wide audiences, while new bestselling series like Flit the Fantail / Flit te Tīrairaka introduce young readers to the Māori new year and simple counting. Acclaimed authors like Mere Whaanga skillfully tell contemporary tales in the traditional style of legends with brilliant illustration.
Scholastic New Zealand’s extensive fiction list ranges from emergent readers and early chapter books targeted to ages 6-10; to chapter books, novels and sophisticated picture books aimed at 10-12 year olds; to young adult novels targeted at 13-18 years of age, featuring more mature content and subject matter. Epic fantasies by multi-award winning authors like Sherryl Jordan appear alongside spy action thriller series like Katipo Joe. The groundbreaking series My New Zealand brings important historical events to children and young adults through relatable characters and compelling plots. Comprehensive teacher notes are provided.
The board books range create lively reading time for adults and children ages 0+. Many of the board books now come with playful and catchy songs from entertainers, and some of the titles are recognisable, popular picture books. Rhymes and vibrant illustrations are sure to keep both children and adults engaged.
The non-fiction list is targeted at mid primary to intermediate level, and covers topics from disasters to national achievements, brave animals in history to the lives of local native species.
Activity books range from puzzles that celebrate the people, life, places, customs and language of Aotearoa New Zealand, to costume advice and cookbooks. The popular Where’s Kiwi? series take a new angle on Where’s Wally? style books, offering distinctly New Zealand scenes.
Featured authors
June Pitman-Hayes
June Pitman-Hayes (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Pūkenga and Ngāti Maniapoto) is a creative writer, singer-songwriter, teacher, lyricist and poet, and has performed at many events and jazz festivals throughout the country. June continues to explore her musical pathways, sharing her love of music with a variety of audiences, and teaching singing to the children. With Scholastic NZ, she has sung on Joy Cowley’s Hush: A Kiwi Lullaby, and is the author/musician of Tāwhirimātea: A Song for Matariki, and Kia Ora – You Can Be a Kiwi Too. She lives at Red Beach, north of Auckland.
Deano Yipadee
Born in Dunedin, Deano studied for a Bachelor of Education at Otago University. During this time he accepted a full-time job on the radio, taking him from Dunedin to Wellington to Waikato. In 2012 he lost his job and decided to follow his heart of creating fun music and stories under the name, Mr Yipadee. His mission encourages kids to laugh, love and believe in themselves. With extensive touring, Mr Yipadee’s debut album went to Number One on the UK Children’s Music Charts. Since then, his collection of albums continues to top the children’s charts and he headlines the Kidz Field at the famous Glastonbury Music Festival. He loves spending time touring with his family between New Zealand, Australia and England.
Tania Roxborogh
Tania Roxborogh (Ngāti Porou) is a children’s writer whose works range from teaching resources to gritty young adult novels. Roxborogh has worked as a high school English and drama teacher since 1989, and her first published work was a drama handbook. Her stories for young adults deal with the anxieties and problems of teenagers in an engaging, realistic manner. In 2006, she was a Writer in Residence at the Dunedin College of Education. She reviews young adult books for the Otago Daily Times. Most recently in 2021 she won the Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction and the Margaret Mahy Award at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults for her 2020 book Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature from the Sea.
Sherryl Jordan
Sherryl Jordan is a children’s fantasy writer. Her books are widely published overseas and have won and been shortlisted for awards in New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Belgium and Germany. Her awards include the USA School Library Journal Best of 1999, the 2001 Wirral Paperback of the Year for The Raging Quiet, and the 2001 Buxtehuder Bulle Prize for Best Young Person’s Book of the Year for The Juniper Game. In 2001, Jordan was awarded the Margaret Mahy Medal for her contribution to children’s literature, publishing and literacy.
