Books Alive is a programme of large-scale, immersive events that bring hundreds of students in touch with finalist authors and illustrators in the weeks leading up to the annual New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults ceremony.

Programmed by literature experts, the engaging sessions for school groups are designed to drive a sense of belonging and relevance around books and reading for our tamariki and rangatahi.

Funding received from the Mātatuhi Foundation enabled Books Alive to expand into new regions over the past two years, and in 2025 Palmerston North was added to Wellington, Christchurch and Invercargill.