The 2026 Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 is announced today with many books on the List coming from New Zealand authors. Classics and children’s book series also feature strongly.
Significantly, nearly half the books voted for by thousands of the nation’s readers are by local authors – 24 in total. Highly acclaimed New Zealand author James Russell has all of his three series on the List this year, including the magical, new adventure series Marlon Foundling and the Circus of Lost Children, which appears at number eight.
Whitcoulls Book Manager Joan Mackenzie is thrilled Russell is so admired and attributes his popularity, like that of many of our local writers, to the quality of storytelling in his work. She also notes that children seek out books to read which reflect their lives and landscapes, which is something the New Zealand books on the List certainly deliver.
‘They also have a ready appetite for new books and authors, with readers voting for 18 books not previously appearing, including Kuwi the Kiwi Treasury (number 4), Where’s Spot? (number 10) and Nanny Rina’s Amazing Nets (number 15)’ says Mackenzie.
Perennial favourites Lynley Dodd’s Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy and J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series continue their reign at the top of the List, at numbers one and two respectively. They feature year after year proving they are greatly treasured by readers.
‘The Top 50 consistently features a number of classic titles which have strong appeal from generation to generation. Firm favourites among parents and caregivers from their
childhoods are also beloved by their children, so it is not surprising to see titles such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar (number 7), We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (number 20) and Where the Wild Things Are (number 35) regularly turn up on the List. There are also a number of books which celebrate the importance of te reo Māori, as well as non-fiction titles which foster learning and encourage children to develop their emotional intelligence; chief among these are: Nanny Rina’s Amazing Nets (number 15) Piki te Ora (number 26); and The Lost Words (number 27).
The Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books List is almost 30 years old and is a wonderful celebration of books and reading. Chosen by readers from across the motu, it provides a window into stories which resonate and sometimes live on for generations.
