EK Books

01/07/2025

EK Books celebrates the release of seven incredible children's titles in this first half of 2025! 🎉

We applaud the authors, illustrators, and readers who have given these books life in the imaginations of children around the world.

19/06/2025

From heartfelt reunions to unexpected bonds, these picture books explore the power of friendship—how it begins, how it’s tested, and how it brings people (and animals!) together.

Whether it’s a little girl uniting her neighbours, a rabbit making amends, or a boy learning to let go, each story is a gentle reminder that we’re better when we look out for one another.

Which of these friendships speaks to you most? 💛

13/06/2025

The Booksellers Aotearoa NZ Kids' Winter Reading Guide is a handy catalogue designed to excite young readers about books being released this winter. Booksellers Aotearoa NZ

Filled with over 50 incredible titles from Aotearoa's leading publishers, more than half of which are by NZ authors and illustrators, this little guide packs a big punch. Pick up a free copy from your local independent bookshop today!

Illustrations by Pippa Keel Situ (from the book Te Ngahere i te Pō – The forest at night by Kiri Lightfoot – Allen & Unwin NZ)

02/06/2025

An incredible opportunity to celebrate the launch of our latest release, Hidden, with the author!

Suitable for families with children aged 5+

02/06/2025

✨ Now on bookshelves!

A little girl helps her neighbourhood connect in "Hidden" — a touching story about friendship, inclusion and sharing.

Do you ever feel like you can see the whole world, but no one can see you? Hidden amongst the leaves of a fig tree, a young girl watches the people in her street rush past each other — and her — without a glance. So she comes up with a plan… one that involves kindness, generosity, and a lot of figs.

Written by Larissa Ferenchuk and illustrated by Fiona West , Hidden is a heart-warming story that shows how one small act can help a whole community feel seen and included.

Full of hope and heart, this picture book is the perfect way to introduce young readers to the power of sharing and the importance of belonging.

Available now in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA — wherever good books are bought and borrowed.

26/05/2025

🌟 New Release Alert! Verity Finds Her Voice is now available!

Verity is a shy preschooler who always does whatever others tell her. She picks up after her friends, has no say in games, and even plays second fiddle to a drooling baby. But when she is overlooked at her beloved swimming class, Verity realises something needs to change — and discovers the courage to speak up.

Verity Finds Her Voice will help children learn that not only is it okay to be assertive, but that being a good friend to yourself is just as important as being a good friend to others.

Written by Kristin Kelly and illustrated by Jasmine Berry, this story is inspired by real classroom moments — and the quiet kids who are braver than they seem.

Grab your copy today wherever good books are bought and borrowed!

18/05/2025

For a very limited time, get feedback on your manuscript from the EK Books team.

Want to know where your book stands, what may be putting a publisher off, or what makes your book stand out in a publisher's eyes?

Register now! (open through the end of May)

Focus, Assess, Recharge – Manuscript Review Get Clarity, Get Published – Expert Feedback for Children’s Authors from Publishers We’re experienced, real-world traditional book publishers. Our books have won major awards and can be found in bookstores the world over. With over 2000 successful ...

15/05/2025

👀 Coming this June: A quiet moment of connection beneath the branches of a fig tree.

A little girl watches the people of her neighbourhood come and go — always busy, always moving — and wonders how she can help them notice one another. Hidden is a gentle story about inclusion, kindness, and the power of helping others feel seen.

Written by Larissa Ferenchuk and illustrated by Fiona West , this picture book is inspired by real-life moments of childhood wonder and community connection.

More to come soon...

09/05/2025

✨ Big feelings, brave hearts.

These beautifully illustrated picture books explore what it means to be yourself—even when it’s hard. From a boy whose magical hair makes him stand out, to a shy preschooler learning to speak up, to a penguin searching for her purpose, to a little girl with big worries who still finds her moment to shine… each story helps kids navigate emotions, self-expression, and confidence in their own unique way.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just a lover of children’s books, these stories offer gentle lessons wrapped in heart and humor.

📖 Stories that spark big conversations
🎒 Ideal for classrooms, bedtime, or anytime kids need a little courage

30/04/2025

In a world that has forgotten about nature, two girls live on opposite sides of society. Skyler exists above the clouds in a haven of boundless technology, while Ivy is a Groundling, roaming the surface of the Earth, eking a living from the rubble of the past. Then Ivy makes a discovery that changes everything, and brings their lives crashing together.

A tense, heart-pounding and empowering read about corruption, environmentalism, and what we would do if nature gave us a second chance.

You can grab a copy of The Last Seed Keeper where all good books are bought and borrowed and learn more at ekbooks.org

In a world that has forgotten about nature, two girls live on opposite sides of society. Skyler exists above the clouds in a haven of boundless technology, w...

26/04/2025

Love our newest release, "Rosie's Garden"? The Emerging Environmentalists Collection tackles topics such as plastic waste, consumerism, animal migrations, deforestation, oil spills, activism, and more, in a fun and engaging way.

Love our newest release, "Rosie's Garden"? The Emerging Environmentalists Collection tackles topics such as plastic waste, consumerism, animal migrations, deforestation, oil spills, activism, and more in a fun and engaging way.

Where the Heart Is — .gold .susannah.illustration
Harriet's Hungry Worms —
Toy Mountain —
Grub —
Tree Beings — Foreword by