Bateman Books

03/06/2026

Very happy to see Maybe Baby here!

Our weekly bestseller list is here! Trust other Booklovers: these are worth reading. Buy them straight from our home page: https://unibooks.co.nz/

02/06/2026

So delighted to see Lonasei by Kenneth Chapman at number one!

Here they are! Ten bestselling Aotearoa NZ books for tamariki and rangatahi (19 April to 16 May 2026).

20/05/2026

Kenneth Chapman author of Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove had such an engaging and candid interview with Kathryn Ryan today on Nine to Noon, RNZ National listen here:

Kenneth Chapman on creating a fantasy world that reflected himself. with his children's book Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove. .

17/05/2026

If this story wasn’t true, it would be too far-fetched for a book.

Check out this awesome trailer created by .mccarten for Bob Kerr’s The Takoradi Run – a gripping illustrated adventure perfect for reluctant readers and lovers of war stories. 

It’s available now on our website and all good bookstores!

15/05/2026

An engaging, lively and thought provoking discussion tonight during the ‘Small towns, dark truths’ event with Catherine Lea, Zoe Rankin and Chris Blake expertly chaired by Fiona Sussman. Fascinating to find out what made these isolated towns such fertile grounds for these talented crime writers.

15/05/2026

A brilliant session this morning listening to Emma Neale (Maybe Baby) and Elizabeth Easther discussing their new novels with Anna Rawhiti-Connell at the Auckland Writers Festival. Both novels offer a unique perspective on the lengths some of us might go to to bring a child into the world. Funny, moving, wonderful readings and a stimulating discussion. Also, check out the giant ‘Maybe Baby’ book sculpture in Aotea Square!

14/05/2026

On Saturday we were delighted to launch Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove by Kenneth Chapman at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School.

It was a wonderful turnout for a very special book. We’re ecstatic to see this one hit the shelves. Congrats Kenneth🎉

Lonasei and the Mystery of the Origin Grove is available on our website and at all good bookstores!

14/05/2026

We’re thrilled to see Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove at #1 on the NielsenIQ Bestsellers Charts for Children’s books!

Curious, tender and gothic, it’s an exciting read for kids who love portals to different worlds. 

Grab a copy at our website, all good bookstores and at the Auckland Writers Festival!

12/05/2026

What a brilliant start to the Auckland Writers Festival with Kenneth Chapman author of Lonasei and the mystery of Origin Grove. Kenneth you were inspiring, uplifting and engaging. Such a wonderful experience for school children to hear you speak today.

29/04/2026

So fantasic to see Spider Games by Brian Falkner still in the bestseller list and great review from Magpies Magazine here, 'A surprise bonus is to be found in the chapter headings, which use, and misuse, titles of spy novels, TV series and films. Young readers who can decode them will find themselves invited into the great fiction world of agents and counteragents, spies and spy-catchers. Spider Games is a worthy addition to this world.'

Each month, the Aotearoa Children’s Junior Fiction and Young Adults Bestseller List highlights the bestselling junior fiction and young adult titles by New