Update: 134 schools are currently waiting for a Funding Partner. Be the reason these tamariki fall in love with reading.
From graphic novels to Māori legends: what Duffy kids chose to read in book offer 1
One of the most exciting moments in the Duffy calendar is Book Offer time.
Across Aotearoa, thousands of children carefully browse the catalogue, compare options with their friends, and make one very important decision – which books they want to add to their own home library.
For many tamariki, these are books they get to keep forever. That sense of ownership matters. Research consistently shows that when children can choose books that interest them, they are more likely to read, enjoy reading, and develop positive literacy habits.
Book Offer 1 for 2026 once again highlighted the incredible diversity of interests among Duffy students, with everything from graphic novels and mysteries to Māori legends and animal facts proving popular choices.
What were the most popular books?
Junior Readers (Ages 5-6)
The youngest readers were drawn to books filled with fun facts, colourful illustrations, and familiar characters.
The most popular titles were:
- Top 10 Furriest Animals
- Toot the Tow Truck: Nee Naw and Friends
These books combine engaging visuals with accessible storytelling, making them ideal for children beginning their reading journey.
Middle Readers (Ages 7-9)
Graphic novels and highly visual stories continue to dominate this age group, helping children build reading confidence while enjoying entertaining storylines.
The most popular choices were:
- Bee Battle (Diary of a Roblox Pro: Super Special #5)
- Karen’s Prize: A Graphic Novel (Baby-Sitters Little Sister #10)
These titles reflect a growing trend towards graphic novels as a powerful tool for engaging young readers.
Senior Readers (Ages 10-12)
Older readers showed a strong preference for mystery, adventure, and character-driven stories.
Their top selections were:
- Mob Manor Mystery (DoMZ #43)
- Sneaking Out (Sweet Valley Twins: The Graphic Novel #5)
These books offer the perfect combination of humour, suspense, and relatable characters that keep readers turning pages.
Advanced and Mature Readers
For students seeking more challenging reading material, two titles stood out:
- This Land, Book One: The Search for Māui
- This Land, Book Two: The Fall of Tāne
These stories blend adventure with rich cultural themes, providing readers with engaging narratives while connecting them to Aotearoa’s storytelling traditions.
Celebrating Māori and Pasifika Stories
One of the most encouraging trends from Book Offer 1 was the strong interest in Māori and Pasifika titles.
The most popular selections were:
- Māui Sun Catcher / Te Kaihao i
- Rona Moon / Ko Rona Mahina
These books help children see their cultures, languages, and stories reflected in the books they read while introducing other students to important stories from across Aotearoa and the Pacific.
Why choice matters
At Duffy Books in Homes, we know that creating readers starts with creating excitement.
When children are empowered to choose books that reflect their interests, hobbies, cultures, and aspirations, reading becomes something they want to do rather than something they have to do.
A child fascinated by cars may choose a book about vehicles. Another may be drawn to graphic novels, mysteries, animals, or traditional legends. Every choice is valuable because every choice creates a connection between the child and reading.
That connection is where lifelong reading habits begin.
Thank you to our funding partners
Book Offer 1 is made possible through the generous support of our Funding Partners, who share the cost of books with schools across New Zealand.
Your support helps put high-quality books into the hands of children who may not otherwise have access to them. More importantly, it helps give tamariki the opportunity to choose books they are excited to read, building confidence, literacy skills, and a lifelong love of reading.
Every book chosen is another step towards a brighter future.
Thank you for helping make that possible.
