What do dragons, phoenixes, Tūī, sheep, kunekune pigs, Kiwi and cats have in common? They all feature in new books by local authors to appear on the 2025 Whitcoulls Kids’ Top 50 Books List, announced today, Friday 19 September 2025, at 5:00am.

Compiled from thousands of votes by the nation’s younger readers, the Kids’ Top 50 has become a much-loved institution over nearly 30 years. Families across New Zealand use it to discover books for their children or to choose the perfect gift.

Whitcoulls Book Manager Joan Mackenzie says, “The Top 50 is a wonderful barometer of what kids like to read. Votes poured in again this year, showing that our children still love books and are keen to share their enthusiasm with others.”

This year’s list includes 18 titles by New Zealand authors, 15 newcomers, and almost half the books feature animals. Local highlights include Li Chen’s Detective Beans series (#11), James Russell’s Children of the Rush series (#12), and Graci Kim’s fantasy adventure Dreamslinger (#23).

At the very top, J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series returns to the number one spot, followed by Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man series (#2) and Lynley Dodd’s classic Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy (#3). “Many of the books are part of a series – 17 in total – which is significant for children’s engagement. When kids love the first book, they’re motivated to keep reading through the whole series,” Mackenzie says.

Timeless favourites remain strong in 2025, with The Gruffalo (#8), The Very Hungry Caterpillar (#9) and The Little Yellow Digger (#17) still delighting new generations of readers. Mackenzie notes that the list also reflects wider reading trends in New Zealand saying, “Despite the lure of digital devices, books continue to have a special place in children’s lives. National research shows that 84% of Kiwi eight-year-olds enjoy reading for pleasure, and most parents still read with their children weekly. The research also says that kids who read frequently not only feel more confident at school but are also more engaged in sport, the arts and other activities. It’s heartening to see that love of reading shine through in the votes for this year’s Top 50.”