Kids: Reluctant readers

If your tamariki haven't caught the reading bug yet, the books on this list may pique their interest! Here you'll find books that are funny, large text, pictures, cartoons, and maybe something short and sweet.

Updated July 28, 2025
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Wellington City Libraries Children's team at Wellington City Libraries
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Kids: Reluctant readers

If your tamariki haven't caught the reading bug yet, the books on this list may pique their interest! Here you'll find books that are funny, large text, pictures, cartoons, and maybe something short and sweet.

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Madeline
Bemelmans, Ludwig
Paper Book
Set in picturesque Paris, this tale of a brave little girl's trip to the hospital is as appealing today as it was in 1940. The combination of spirited heroine, timelessly appealing art, cheerful humor, and rhythmic text makes "Madeline" a perennial favorite with children of all ages. A Caldecott...
Flat Stanley
Brown, Jeff
Paper Book
The 13-story treehouse
Griffiths, Andy
Paper Book
Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. But it's not just any old treehouse, it's the most amazing treehouse in the world! This treehouse has thirteen stories, a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a secret underground laboratory, and a marshmallow machine that follows you around...
The worst witch
Murphy, Jill
Paper Book
The Worst Witch written and illustrated by Jill Murphy is reissued with an exciting TV tie-in cover to accompany the new CBBC series in Spring 2017.The highly anticipated CBBC series stars Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as Mildred, Clare Higgins (Doctor Who) as Miss Cackle and...
The Nate files
Peirce, Lincoln.
Paper Book
Featuring original content and stories based on the Emmy-nominated Big Nate animated series, The Nate Files offers an exciting peek into the world of Big Nate and friends, including comics, stories, and bonus material taken directly from Nate's notebook.<...
Ottoline and the yellow cat
Riddell, Chris
Paper Book
The first book in Chris Riddell's much-loved Ottoline series. Now in paperback for the first timeIntroducing Miss Ottoline Brown, an exceptionally inquisitive Mistress of Disguise, and her partner in crime, Mr. Munroe. No puzzle is ever too tricky for the two of them to solve . . .Ottoline lives in...
Sideways stories from wayside school
Sachar, Louis
Paper Book
Humorous episodes from the classroom on the thirtieth floor of Wayside School, which was accidentally built sideways with one classroom on each story. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.
Horrid Henry
Simon, Francesca
Ebook
Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 to 5 Horrid Henry is the very first collection of stories about the master of mischief (and the funniest kid in the universe) including: Horrid Henry is dragged to dance class. Horrid Henry competes with Moody Margaret to make the...
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