Children's

From My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes to A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree, there's something for every age and taste in this collection of well-loved New Zealand stories.

''There's a rustling and a buzzing in the garden.''

''Let's play music, make a beat; Clap your hands and stamp your feet.''

Author Margaret Mahy does wonderful things with words in this story of a newly groomed dog who refuses to stay ''dapper and dandified'' despite his family's best efforts.

Pip and Posy are best friends and in their latest adventure they're having the best sleepover ever - they play pirate games, eat spaghetti, enjoy a bubble bath and are about to go to sleep when ... oh no, Posy realises she's forgotten her favourite toy, Froggy.

This Christmas activity book, full of craft ideas, stickers and puzzles, would make a nice diversion on a wet day but it's a little unsubstantial for the price.

The 12 days of Christmas can be polarising - you either love it or it drives you completely mad.

Cute and glittery, One Sparkly Christmas Night tells the story of what happens when a shepherd boy follows a shooting star to Bethlehem.

Central Otago author Kyle Mewburn brings us the tale of Flit, a bird who dreams of experiencing a white Christmas.

This compilation of 12 traditional tales is just the thing for those wanting values-based Christmas stories.

American Aaron Becker has ventured from the world of film design to create his first children's book, a wordless journey into the imagination.

In this story, established Auckland children's author Melinda Szymanik recounts all the things that happen in the world while a young boy sleeps in his bed.

This appealing book by a trio of New Zealand comic-book collaborators follows the story of a young boy, Morgan, on his quest to find out the name of the moon.

Papatowai children's author Diana Noonan and Dunedin illustrator Robyn Belton have created a poignant story of a little boy and his faithful teddy bear.

This is a simple and catchy Kiwi take on the classic counting song This Old Man by New Zealand author/illustrator Errol McLeary who now lives in Australia.

Central Otago author Kyle Mewburn has come up trumps with this delightful tale of a poor chick who thinks it must be sick when it fails to lay an egg.

The Topp Twins and illustrator Jenny Cooper (There's a Hole in My Bucket and Do your Ears Hang Low?) have teamed up again, this time giving a new spin on the old favourite, She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain.

This ingenious pop-up book is perfect for reading to your small pirate-fancier. A pirate ship, lighthouse and sea monster are just a few of the quite large and detailed pop-ups as you turn the pages.

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? Romeo's words when he sees Juliet at her window could refer to Gareth Hinds' efforts to throw light for teenage readers on the classics of literature, in graphic novel form.

New Zealand Girl is an intelligent new series for readers aged 7-10 and focuses on ordinary people's experiences in early colonial times.