Books & MatarikiThe Library
Written by Rangi Matamua & Miriama Kamo
Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
The Matariki cluster (or Pleiades) is known by many different names and is seen and celebrated by many cultures around the world. This book features 21 stories: 9 of which highlight the Māori Matariki stars, while the others reference the stories about this cluster from different cultures, from the Pacific Islands to Australia, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa.
Celebrate the Māori New Year with one of New Zealand’s most beloved characters. In Little Kiwi's Matariki, Little Kiwi is fast asleep in her burrow when she is woken by her mother to witness the rising of the Matariki star cluster. This gentle, beautifully illustrated story is a perfect introduction for young children to the traditions and significance of Matariki.
Local Storytelling: Written and illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson.
Cultural Connection: A wonderful way to explain the change of seasons and the Māori New Year to little ones.
Format: Paperback with vibrant, night-themed illustrations.
Ages: 2–6 years.
Ignite a love for the stars and Māori culture with this beautiful set of six children's books, celebrating the stories of Matariki, the Māori New Year.
This collection offers rich, engaging tales perfect for reading aloud, including famous titles like “The Seven Kites of Matariki,” “The Stolen Stars of Matariki,” and “Flit the Fantail.” Each set fosters bilingual learning, with three stories featured in both Te Reo Māori and English, making it an essential educational resource for homes, kura, and libraries looking to connect with the Southern Skies and Aotearoa's rich heritage.
The perfect "first" astronomy book for curious toddlers and preschoolers. This sturdy lift-the-flap book answers the biggest questions in the simplest ways: What are stars made of? Which one is the closest? And why do they only come out at night?
Engaging: Over 30 flaps to lift to keep little hands and minds busy.
Science-Based: Accurate information simplified for the youngest astronomers.
Ages: 3+
What happens when a Moa decides to take a midnight stroll? There’s A Moa In The Moonlight is a whimsical, rhyming romp through the New Zealand bush under the silver glow of the moon. Featuring iconic NZ wildlife, this book is a delight to read aloud and captures the magic of the night-time world our animals inhabit.
Playful Rhyme: Catchy, fun text that children will want to hear again and again.
Stunning Art: Features beautiful depictions of the moonlit New Zealand landscape.
Ages: 2–7 years.
Based on the #1 bestselling book, Matariki Around the World, this captivating colouring and activity book is perfect for introducing young minds to the magic of the Māori New Year.
Packed with puzzles, mazes, and creative colouring pages inspired by the bestselling book's themes, this resource makes learning about the Matariki star cluster and its rich cultural significance fun and hands-on. It's an essential educational tool for families and educators, reinforcing the stories of the Southern Skies while promoting creativity and cultural connection.
Explore the powerful world of Māori cosmogony with this award-winning book by Gavin Bishop. Atua is a stunning, large-scale visual masterpiece that traces the Māori creation story from Te Kore and Te Pō through to the separation of Ranginui and Papatūānuku. It is an essential volume for families wanting to understand the celestial origins of the world from a Te Ao Māori perspective.
Educational: Learn the names and roles of the Atua who govern the stars, winds, and seas.
Artistic: Filled with breathtaking, intricate illustrations.
Format: Large hardcover—perfect for storytelling.
A heartwarming story that weaves together tradition, family, and the stars. Nanny Rina’s Amazing Nets tells the story of a grandmother who teaches her mokopuna (grandchildren) about the importance of the stars—not just for navigation, but as "nets" that catch our stories and history.
Rich Themes: Focuses on weaving (raranga), the environment, and the celestial connections in Māori culture.
Educational: Includes beautiful Te Reo Māori phrases and cultural concepts.
Ages: 4–8 years.
Plan your next celestial adventure with the ultimate guide to astrotourism. Stargazing Around the World presents 45 breathtaking dark-sky sites and national parks across the globe—including the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve—plus over 20 destinations to observe space phenomena and auroras in action.
Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or an armchair traveler, this fascinating guide provides everything you need to experience the universe from the best vantage points on Earth.
Expert Guidance: Written by astrotourism expert Valerie Stimac, with a foreword by the "Bad Astronomer" Phil Plait.
Global Destinations: Features top-tier sites like Uluru (Australia), Jasper National Park (Canada), and Wadi Rum (Jordan).
Skills & Gear: Includes an introduction to astrophotography for beginners, equipment tips, and calendars for meteor showers and eclipses.
Beautifully Illustrated: Packed with stunning photography and constellation diagrams that make it a perfect coffee table gift.
Explore the history, science and observation techniques of our closest star in this accessible guide for beginners:
Learn how our knowledge of the Sun has evolved
Understand the basic physics behind sunspots and solar erruptions
Discover how solar activity can affect us on Earth
Access tools and methods to observe the Sun safely
Written by Mike Shaw
Start capturing the cosmos with The Beginner's Guide to Astrophotography by Mike Shaw, the perfect book for anyone new to this fascinating hobby. This accessible guide proves you can create stunning images of the night sky using any camera, from your smartphone to a DSLR. It walks you through every step of the process, from choosing your gear to mastering camera settings and perfecting your images with post-processing. You'll learn to capture everything from the moon and planets to breathtaking constellations and the Milky Way.
Written by Sam Smith
Discover the wonders of our Solar System as you fold out this gorgeously illustrated book. Then turn it over to find lots of fascinating facts about the planets, their moons, and the spacecraft that have been sent to explore them. With links to websites for more information, this is the perfect gift for young space lovers.
24 Hours in Space (Usborne)
Product Description: Ever wondered what it’s actually like to live off-world? 24 Hours in Space takes you on a thrilling, minute-by-minute journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Follow three astronauts as they tackle a packed day of scientific experiments, high-stakes spacewalks, and the everyday challenges of life in zero gravity—from eating "space food" to sleeping in a vertical bag.
This graphic-novel style book is packed with humor and high-energy illustrations, making complex science feel like an epic adventure. It’s the perfect choice for kids who want to know the "real" details of astronaut life beyond the launchpad.
Engaging Format: Told through a fast-paced, 24-hour countdown that keeps young readers hooked.
STEM-Focused: Explains the real science of orbit, space suits, and how the ISS stays in the sky.
Behind-the-Scenes Details: Covers the "gross and cool" facts kids love, like how water is recycled in space.
Recommended Age: 7+ (Great for independent readers or as a family read-aloud).
Look up! Did you know the night sky is filled with a sparkling zoo? Animals in the Sky is a charming and clever introduction to the constellations for the youngest of stargazers.
This book turns the night sky into a game of celestial "connect-the-dots." By using simple, rhythmic text and bold, stylized illustrations, it helps children identify the shapes of animals hidden among the stars—from the Great Bear to the soaring Eagle. It’s a wonderful way to transform a child's wonder of animals into a lifelong love for astronomy.
Beginner-Friendly: Focuses on the most recognizable animal constellations, making it easy for kids to spot them in the real sky.
Beautifully Illustrated: Features high-contrast, artistic visuals that are perfect for bedtime reading.
Interactive Feel: Encourages children to use their imagination to "see" the animals in the star patterns.
Ages: 2–5 years.
Blast off into the stratosphere with this award-winning, interactive guide to the cosmos! Look Inside Space is a classic in the Usborne collection, designed to take curious kids on a deep-dive journey from our home planet to the furthest reaches of the galaxy.
With over 70 sturdy flaps to lift, children can peek inside the International Space Station, see how a massive rocket separates during launch, and explore the rugged surfaces of Mars and the Moon. It’s a multi-layered learning experience that makes the vastness of space feel tangible and exciting.
Detailed Discovery: Each layer of flaps reveals deeper layers of information—explore the inside of a space suit or the hidden components of a satellite.
Complex Made Simple: Explains the Big Bang, the life cycle of stars, and the solar system in a way that is easy for primary-aged children to grasp.
Durability: Heavy-duty board pages and flaps designed for years of exploration.
Ages: 5–8 years.
Best Sellers
Min 2 players
3+
Space Snap is a fun and educational twist on the classic card game, designed to entertain aspiring young astronauts. Featuring a full deck of 52 cards with beautiful illustrations of planets, rockets, and galaxies, it’s a great way to learn about the universe. Easy to play for ages 3 and up, it’s the perfect cosmic companion for family game nights.
Product Description
The Celestron UpClose G2 16x32mm Roof Binoculars are a compact and lightweight companion, perfect for all your outdoor adventures from stargazing to wildlife watching. With a powerful 16x magnification and 32mm objective lenses, they deliver sharp, clear views of distant subjects thanks to their multi-coated optics. The durable, rubber-armored aluminum body is both easy to carry and built to last, making them a reliable tool for any exploration.
Celestial Buddy Saturn
Our Celestial Buddy Jupiter is the ultimate giant companion! Featuring its beautifully swirled atmospheric bands, this plush toy is a fun and educational representation of the solar system’s largest planet. Standing approximately 7 inches tall when seated and appropriate for all ages, it’s a massive yet cuddly addition perfect for play or display.
Discover the beauty of the Southern Hemisphere sky with the official New Zealand's Night Sky map from Stardome Observatory. This isn't just a map; it’s a functional tool designed for the field. The chart features two detailed maps that glow in the dark, allowing you to reference the stars without needing a bright flashlight that ruins your night vision.
Whether you are at a dark-sky site or in your backyard, this durable chart is the perfect companion for identifying the celestial wonders above Aotearoa.
Dual-Map Design: Features two detailed maps covering the seasonal changes in the New Zealand sky.
Glow-in-the-Dark: Specially printed to remain visible in the dark—just "charge" it under a light before you head outside!
Durable & Portable: Printed on heavy-duty card designed to withstand night-time use.
Educational: Includes a comprehensive list of constellations and useful descriptions to help you master the Southern Cross and beyond.