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Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand | Te Whare Waituhi Tamariki o Aotearoa

Welcome to Storylines

He whakaoho kaipānui, he tautoko kaituhi, kaitā hoki Inspiring young readers by supporting writers and illustrators

Storylines promotes awareness of the importance of reading and books for all children and young adults; works to ensure children and young adults in New Zealand have access to high quality literature; and supports the writers and illustrators of literature for children and young adults in New Zealand. We aim to inspire children, young adults and their whanau to enjoy the magic of books and reading, especially reading books created for them by New Zealand writers and illustrators.

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LATEST NEWS

FEATURED

Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day 2026

✨ Save the Date! ✨ 📚 Storylines Margaret Mahy National Awards Day🗓 29 March 2026 Join us as we celebrate the extraordinary writers, illustrators and

Conference for children’s writers & illustrators

Workshops, pitch slams, panels and opportunities for social networking await you! Storylines is holding a national hui for professional and aspiring creatives 3-4 October 2026.

December’s Aotearoa Children’s Junior Fiction and Young Adult Bestseller List

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

Reading matters

Reading to and with young people of all ages is crucial to their development, not just their reading skills. National Library outlines just how important it is, and why reading matters to young people of all ages. It highlights how, as a reading role model, whānau has a big influence on their child’s or teenager’s interest in reading outside school. One of the best ways whānau can help is through fostering a love of reading — beginning at birth.

Videos and Tip Sheets – Member-only

Storylines members enjoy exclusive access to a growing library of video content offering behind-the-scenes insights into the creative and writing processes of some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading children’s and YA writers and illustrators. Members can also explore our Top Ten Tips sheets, packed with practical advice for writers and illustrators, created by some of the country’s most respected creatives.
Our latest addition comes from author Swapna Haddow: Top Ten Tips for Writing Graphic Novels.

2026 Bookings open soon

In 2026, we will further deepen and broaden our focus on disadvantaged, rural and ethnically diverse communities, ensuring we reach even more tamariki and rangatahi who will benefit most from our visits. To achieve this, each tour will now include five writer/illustrator presenters - which also means… a bigger van! The additional presenter will be fluent in te reo Māori, have published in te reo and will visit kura kaupapa & bilingual units as part of the expanded programme. We’ll share more details as plans progress, and in the meantime, we encourage early applications for visits.

Story Tours