2025 Awards
BookHub Picture Book Award
Beddy-bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree
Published by: Scholastic New Zealand
Written by Juliette MacIver and illustrated by Lily Uivel
This quintessentially Kiwi romp captures the fun and chaos of getting a wee one to bed. The whimsical tale, told using clever rhyme, counting in threes, and with a sprinkling of kupu Māori, is complemented by detailed, witty illustrations in a beautifully calm colourway. A funny, engaging and magical bedtime read.
Mataali‘i
Published by: Mila’s Books
Written by Dahlia Malaeulu (Vaivase Tai, Sinamoga) and illustrated by Darcy Solia
Fetū is the youngest sister of heavenly-appointed guardians, and her only job is to be the heart of the family. But what good is her love, when her siblings keep turning into stars? Deftly interwoven with Sāmoan cultural values and evocative illustrations, this deeply moving tale brings Mataali‘i to life in a new and powerful way.
Ten Nosey Weka
Published by: Bateman Books
Written by Kate Preece and illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kāi Tahu)
This charmingly illustrated and playful trilingual counting rhyme follows a bunch of cheeky weka on their Rēkohu adventures. Numbers and simple nouns in ta rē Moriori, te reo Māori and English are followed by information about the Chatham Islands and their creatures. An entertaining and informative introduction to Aotearoa’s ancient languages.
Titiro Look
Published by: Gecko Press, Lerner Publishing Group
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (Tainui, Ngāti Awa) and translated by Darryn Joseph (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Rereahu)
A deceptively simple bilingual reo Māori-English board book, where carefully chosen kupu and vibrant, meticulously crafted illustrations create complex layers of meaning and connection. Words reappear in new contexts and combinations, and illustrations pair a diverse range of whānau members with cherished childhood belongings. Perfect for sharing, exploring and learning.
You Can’t Pat a Fish
Published by: Walker Books Australia
Written and illustrated by Ruth Paul
After a disappointing visit to the pet shop, an unimpressed child has to come to terms with her new, wet pet. Skilfully rhymed, with playful humour and modern, dynamic illustrations, the story highlights the joy to be found in not getting what you want. Fresh, funny and an absolute delight to read aloud.
Wright Family Foundation Esther Glen Award for Junior Fiction
Brown Bird
Published by: Puffin, Penguin Random House
Written by Jane Arthur
Eleven-year-old Rebecca is a shy introvert, desperate to go unnoticed. All that changes when a new friend comes to stay for the summer. A gentle and poignant examination of finding friendship, family and the seldom-explored joys of being the quiet one. Each sentence is a poem in itself, thoughtful, resonant and artfully restrained.
Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat
Published by: Puffin, Penguin Random House
Written and illustrated by Li Chen
A crime-solving kitten, an elusive hat and a diamond heist oil the wheels of this adorable comic caper. Detective Beans is on the case, even if his mum does want him back by dinner time. Li Chen’s sweet graphic novella artfully blends humour and adventure in a twisty tale of an intrepid young gumshoe cat.
The Apprentice Witnesser
Published by: Allen & Unwin
Written by Bren MacDibble
In a post-apocalyptic world, plagues have swept away everything that was once familiar and knowledge is being reborn in the hands of ‘witnessers’. Hoping to join their ranks is twelve-year-old apprentice witnesser Bastienne Scull, a plucky survivor in search of her place. An immersive, environmentally profound vision of a possible future.
The Raven’s Eye Runaways
Published by: Allen & Unwin
Written by Claire Mabey
With her friends and a one-eyed raven as accomplices, Getwin is on a wild mission, determined to uncover truths about the world they live in — a world where writing and reading is restricted to the elites. Rich, atmospheric prose propels this fantasy quest, and the power of words is explored with magical enthusiasm.
Violet and the Velvets: The Case of the Missing Stuff
Published by: Allen & Unwin
Written by Rachael King and illustrated by Phoebe Morris
Violet Grumble is putting aside her performance (and social) anxiety, picking up a guitar and starting a band. But when stuff starts to go missing, band rivalry tensions reach a new high. A riotously fun and brilliantly constructed adventure that incorporates a heartfelt and accurate depiction of the ADHD girl-brain in action.
Young Adult Fiction Award
Bear
Published by: Allen & Unwin
Written by Kiri Lightfoot and illustrated by Pippa Keel Situ
The world seems determined to test Jasper Robinson-Woods. There’s his too-long name, his mum’s stupid boyfriend, his glaringly absent Dad, and his dying goldfish. Worst of all, there’s a creature lurking in his nightmares, threatening to tear everything apart. A moving novel of adolescent rage, humour, kindness, and the pain of finding yourself.
Gracehopper
Published by: One Tree House
Written by Mandy Hager
Grace’s life has been a series of earthquakes, right from the day she was born. Grace is trying to navigate these tremors when her best friend Charlie returns, and secrets of the past are finally confronted. A cleverly crafted, poignant examination of identity, loss, acceptance and resilience in an unstable world.
Migration
Published by: Huia Publishers
Written by Steph Matuku (Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga)
Desperate to escape both her planet and her Mum, Farah’s chosen destiny is Western Wānanga interplanetary military school. But Farah will have to test herself, and explore who she really is and what she wants to become. Te Ao Mārama is woven into this striking dystopian space odyssey set 3,000 years into our possible future.
The Mess of Our Lives
Published by: One Tree House
Written by Mary-anne Scott
How do you make sense of your own life when you are drowning in someone else’s mess? Jordan Baxter‘s mum is an extreme hoarder, and he and his sister Tabitha are trapped by her affliction and neglect. This immersive and visceral novel powerfully portrays the trauma of their lives, yet beneath its grim morass, hope can still be found.
The Paradise Generation
Published by: umop apisdn press
Written by Sanna Thompson
When the girl of his dreams is an epic fail as a genome match, Kieran won’t accept the options that fate hands him. As the fabric of his world begins to unravel, Kieran questions everything – but discovering the truth could get him killed. A pacey, sophisticated and thought-provoking dystopian vision of a future Wellington.
