At exactly 11.00am on Monday 17 August 2026, Aotearoa will read together.
Led by Read NZ Te Pou Muramura as part of NZ Children’s Book Week, the National Read Along is a celebration of books, storytelling and the joy of reading around Aotearoa.
Join us to read together at exactly 11.00am on Monday 17 August 2026.
This is more than a book being read aloud! It’s an opportunity for communities across the country to pause, connect and share the magic of a New Zealand story at exactly the same time.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, caregiver, early childhood kaiako, librarian, bookseller or teacher, we’d love you to be part of it.
Let’s create something special together.
This year’s book: Dazzlehands / Ringakōreko
We’re delighted to launch Aotearoa’s inaugural National Read-Along with Dazzlehands/Ringakōreko– a wonderfully interactive story that celebrates imagination, individuality and the joy of reading together.
Farmer wants Pig to oink, just like a good pig should.
But Pig has other ideas.
Outlandish, rhyming, dancing, grooving, totally dazzling ideas!
Written by Sacha Cotter, illustrated by Josh Morgan, translated into te reo Māori by Kawata Teepa, and published by Huia Publishers.
Join Sacha, Josh, Kawata and Te Awhi Rito Reading Ambassador Kate De Goldi for a joyful National Read-Along as they bring this wonderful New Zealand story to life.
Recommended for ages 3–5, but guaranteed to delight every age.