If you missed out on any of these glorious coffee table books over the festive period, now is the perfect time to track down the titles in-store, as each is well deserving of a spot in your book collection.
Kate Williams
Bateman Books, $69.99
Rediscover your appreciation for relaxing with a beautiful book and immerse yourself in the beautiful world of Kate Williams. As the author, photographer and illustrator of Floral Abundance, Kate deserves all the accolades for this stunning offering. It’s a feast of inspiration, delivered through moments captured of seasonal blooms, home-grown food, gatherings and natural beauty. Inspired by and themed around Kate’s styling from her own gardens and property, each page serves up a delicious slice of the moments in life that encourage calm and a reason to pause and soak in your surroundings. Part whimsy, party floral guide and recipe book, it’s a slice of warmth for the soul and mind. And if you ever need styling ideas for special celebrations, this is one to cherish.
Golf, The Iconic Courses
Frank Hopkinson
Allen & Unwin, $69.99
Whether or not golf is your game of choice, this breathtaking showcase of the world’s most scenic and legendary golf courses is a visual delight, spanning everything from soaring clifftops and Nevada desert to secluded Scottish Highlands. Featuring glorious photography by David Cannon and Gary Lisbon, it celebrates some of the most luscious courses around the globe. Cape Kidnappers Te Awanga (Hawke’s Bay), Jack’s Point (Queenstown), Kauri Cliffs (Takou Bay) and Te Arai represent New Zealand, sitting alongside golf courses that celebrate wild Irish landscapes, the lush jungles of Vietnam and Mexico’s rugged cliffs. Discover the history and legacy of more than 50 courses featured, and the interesting stories of each course.
Peter Laurenson
Bateman Books, $69.99
Most of us have reached for our phone to capture a sunset or sunrise, or perhaps a ray of light peeking through the branches of a tree. Author and photographer Peter Laurenson offers page after page of wondrous landscapes of New Zealand, each bathed in its own unique light and each sharing a single moment of exquisite time. From coastlines and rivers to forests, snow and ice, it’s a seductive journey around the landscapes of Aotearoa. It is also Peter’s personal odyssey shared in photographs and words. His love of the wilderness of New Zealand is undeniable, as he shares poignant moments that can only be described as a love letter to each distinctive landscape or vista. Aotearoa Light also delicately reminds the reader/viewer of the sense of responsibility to give back to nature and tread lightly on the environment. As well as capturing his wilderness adventures, it’s a book of elegant beauty to be enjoyed by all.
Cally Whitham
Bateman Books, $89.99
If ever there was reason to revisit the art of collecting sumptuous books, it’s The Long Shadow. While the focus is on exploring the history of the animals and birds that settlers brought to New Zealand – and the consequences of their arrival – it also offers deep and evocative insights into our ecosystems, extinction and ecological imbalance. The well-researched prose focuses on how introduced species changed the fauna of New Zealand, and while every word is worth pouring over, without doubt, it is the 19th Century-style portraits and imagery which linger in your mind and merit frequent revisiting. Cally Whitham’s prowess as a photographer is undeniable. Each breathtaking image is hauntingly arresting and worthy of framing for posterity. From livestock and birds to woodland creatures and those which are extinct, The Long Shadow is a gloriously rich historical gallery.
Read-aloud favourites
Make 2026 the year for youngsters to rediscover a love of books and story time (over screentime). If these titles didn’t make their way under the Christmas tree, it’s worth adding them to your collection now.
Kuwi The Kiwi Treasury
by Kate Quin
Illustrated Publishing,
$49.99
Author and artist Kat Quin grew up in a small rural Waikato town. Her early love of art and nature, and tender touch with words and illustrations is evident in every element of her work. This beautifully presented hardback compilation of Kuwi the Kiwi tales is destined to become a treasured family keepsake. Also enjoy a gentle introduction to Te Reo Māori, with a translation page at the back of the book.
by Edward Brooke-Hitching & Oksana Drachkovska
Quarto Publishing, $59
Pick a number, any number, and find a fascinating fact to discuss, learn more about or share. 365 snippets of interest (no.172: Female mosquitos have 47 ‘teeth’ on their mouthparts) offer the perfect way to engage with youngsters of all ages. From space and history to animals and mythology, it’s the book to keep kids entertained. Take it on your travels or start or end each day with a new number and fact.
by Elaine Bickell and Minky Stapleton
Scholastic NZ, $21.99
Adorable illustrations packed with personality capture the heart of Keith the tiny chihuahua (and his big attitude), and Queenie the fluffy kitten. Sibling rivalry, jealousy, mischief and mayhem ensue as the pair come to grips with sharing the same home. Playful and fun, this one is sure to get youngsters giggling.
by David Lirchfield
Allen & Unwin, $27.99
The artwork is just as much of a hero as the story here, with the heart-warming theme around friendships, bravery and feelings beautifully crafted on each page. Patrick’s friend Billy Whiskers is always there for him, especially during the most challenging times. What happens when Patrick meets some new friends and needs some extra courage? A lovely tale that touches on themes that most children encounter. Prepare to read on repeat.
Where Would You Go?
by Alison Lester & Jane Godwon
Allen & Unwin, $22.99
A wonderful collaboration of creativity from the children of Yalingbu Yirramboi – The Royal Children’s Hospital School and award-winning creators, Alison Lester and Jane Godwin. Journey into the imagination of children and enjoy the vibrant colours and magical illustrations of magical worlds where flowers are made of ice-cream and trees that are made of toffee, and more.
