The 2024 Storylines Notable Books List, for the highest quality books in five genres published between 16 November 2023 and 15 November 2024, is compiled from more than 120 entries from publishers by expert panels of authors, teachers, librarians, academics and parents.
The annual list was begun by Storylines in 1999 and selection is eagerly sought by authors, illustrators and publishers. It provides a valuable reading and purchasing guide to families, schools and libraries, and to young readers, with the books in each genre listed in ascending order of age range suitability within each genre.
The 2024 Storylines Notable Book Award winners
Storylines Notable Te Reo Māori (original texts or translations into Te Reo Māori, any genre)
A Ariā me te Atua o te Kūmara
Written by Witi Ihimaera; Illustrated by Isobel Joy te Aho-White; translated by Hēni Jacob.
(Penguin Random House NZ; Puffin, 2024)
Ngā Kupenga a Nanny Rina
Written by Qiane Matata-Sipu; Illustrated by Isobel Joy te Aho-White.
(Penguin Random House NZ; Puffin, 2024)
Titiro / Look
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop.
(Gecko Press, 2024)
Kuwi & Friends He Puka Ngohe – Activity Book
Written and illustrated by Kat Quin. Translated by Pānia Papa
(Illustrated Publishing, 2023)
Rere Atu Taku Poi! – Let My Poi Fly!
Written by Tangaroa Paul; Illustrated Rebecca Gibbs.
(Oratia Books, 2023)
Te Pīkari Pipi
Written by Angie Belcher; Illustrated by Lily Uivel; Translated by Pānia Papa.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
Ko ngā Whetū Kai o Matariki. Ko Tupuānuku rāua ko Tupuārangi
Written by Miriama Kamo; Illustrated by Zak Waipara; Translated by Ariana Stevens.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
Hineraukatauri me Te Ara Pūoro
Written by Elizabeth Gray; Illustrated by Rehua Wilson.
(Huia Publishers, 2024)
Storylines Notable Picture Books (age range from birth to 8 years)
The Very Best Words
Written by Erin Munro; Illustrated by Sarah Trolle.
(Hachette Aotearoa NZ; Little Moa, 2024)
Hatch and Match
Written and illustrated by Ruth Paul.
(Walker Books Australia, 2024)
Watson the Detective Dog
Written by Susan Brocker; Illustrated by Jenny Cooper.
Inspired by true events as re-told by Watson’s parents, Chloe and Jon Cope.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
Spotty the Zebra
Written by Peter Millett; Illustrations by Raymond McGrath.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
The Squeakling. The Tale of Spike, Max and the Tiny Intruder
Written by Kristin Kelly; Illustrated by Ronja Schipper.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
The Little Witch Who Lost her Broom!
Written by Elaine Bicknell; Illustrated by Raymond McGrath.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
Beddy-Bye Time in the Kōwhai Tree
Written by Juliette MacIver; Illustrated by Lily Uivel.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
Elephant Park
Written by Melanie Koster; Illustrated by Jenny Cooper.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
Storylines Notable Junior Fiction (age range from 7 years to 13 years)
Take Me To Your Leader
Written by Leonie Agnew; Illustrated by Paul Beavis.
(Penguin Random House NZ; Puffin, 2024)
Nine Girls
Written by Stacy Gregg.
(Penguin Random House NZ; Penguin, 2024)
Brown Bird
Written by Jane Arthur.
(Penguin Random House NZ; Puffin, 2024)
The Raven’s Eye Runaways
Written by Claire Mabey.
(Allen & Unwin, 2024)
The Grimmelings
Written by Rachael King.
(Allen & Unwin, 2024)
Jason Mason and the Dastardly Master of Disguise
Written by Jason Gunn and Andrew Gunn
(Bateman Books, 2024)
Brave Kāhu and the Pōrangi Magpie
Written by Shelley Burne-Field.
(Allen & Unwin, 2024)
Children of the Rush – Book 3
Written by James Russell.
(Dragon Brothers Books, 2024)
Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman
Written by Tim Tipene; Illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White.
(OneTree House, 2024)
Koro’s Star
Written by Claire Aramakutu.
(Scholastic, 2024)
Storylines Notable Young Adult Fiction (age range from 13 years to 18 years)
Gracehopper
Written by Mandy Hager
(OneTree House, 2024)
Migration
Written by Steph Matuku.
(Huia Publishers, 2024)
Storylines Notable Non-fiction (age range from 3 years to 18 years)
Dear Moko: Māori wisdom for our young ones
Written by Dr Hinemoa Elder; Illustrated by Miriama Grace-Smith.
(Penguin Random House NZ; Penguin, 2024)
Piki te Ora: Your Wellbeing Journal
Written by Hira Nathan and Jessie Eyre; Illustrated by Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho.
(Allen & Unwin, 2024)
Kiwi Bees Have Tiny Knees: Native Bees of Aotearoa New Zealand
Written by Rachel Weston
(Weston Books, 2024)
Kuwi & Friend He Puka Ngohe – Activity Book
Written and illustrated by Kat Quin; Translated by Pānia Papa.
(Illustrated Publishing, 2024)
The Beach Activity Book: 99 Ideas for Activities by the Water Around Aotearoa New Zealand
Written by Rachel Haydon; Illustrated by Pippa Keel.
(Te Papa Press, 2024)
Play Wild. Nature Craft Projects for Tamariki
Written by Rachel Clare.
(Bateman Books, 2024)
Tasting With Your Feet. The amazing way animals make sense of the world
Written and illustrated by Ned Barraud.
(Potton & Burton, 2024)
My Matariki Colouring and Activity Book
Written by Dr Rangi Matamua and Miriama Kamo; Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White.
(Scholastic NZ, 2024)
Honour Book - Non-Fiction
Mawson in Antarctica, by Anna Grochowicz (Allen & Unwin, 2024)