Bateman Books

So delighted to see Lonasei by Kenneth Chapman at number one!

The Aotearoa Junior Fiction and Young Adult Bestseller List — April - May 2026 Here they are! Ten bestselling Aotearoa NZ books for tamariki and rangatahi (19 April to 16 May 2026).

Kenneth Chapman author of Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove had such an engaging and candid interview with Kathryn Ryan today on Nine to Noon, RNZ National listen here:

Creating a fantasy world with Pasifika flavour Kenneth Chapman on creating a fantasy world that reflected himself. with his children's book Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove. .

An engaging, lively and thought provoking discussion tonight during the ‘Small towns, dark truths’ event with Catherine Lea, Zoe Rankin and Chris Blake expertly chaired by Fiona Sussman. Fascinating to find out what made these isolated towns such fertile grounds for these talented crime writers.

On Saturday we were delighted to launch Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove by Kenneth Chapman at Auckland Girls’ Grammar School.

It was a wonderful turnout for a very special book. We’re ecstatic to see this one hit the shelves. Congrats Kenneth🎉

Lonasei and the Mystery of the Origin Grove is available on our website and at all good bookstores!

We’re thrilled to see Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove at #1 on the NielsenIQ Bestsellers Charts for Children’s books!

Curious, tender and gothic, it’s an exciting read for kids who love portals to different worlds. 

Grab a copy at our website, all good bookstores and at the Auckland Writers Festival!