The 2025–2026 school year is officially underway! As families and students dive into the new academic year, calendars are being set, schedules organized, and supplies purchased—including stationery, new books, and, of course, essential textbooks and reference materials.
For students—particularly high schoolers preparing for university entrance exams—having additional resources can be a game-changer. Extra textbooks and reference books not only support what’s being taught in school but also help students deepen their understanding and stay ahead in their studies.
If you’re preparing for major exams such as the IELTS, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, HKDSE, IB, IGCSE, A-Levels, or even professional certifications, having access to the right study guides and reference books can make all the difference.
Luckily, there are plenty of excellent bookstores, both in-person and online, offering a wide selection of these resources. To make things easier, Little Steps has curated a handy guide to help you find the best options for your needs. Whether you’re looking for language proficiency guides, subject-specific materials, or official practice exams, this guide has you covered!
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Bookazine features an impressive collection of reference books and workbooks that young learners can use to enhance their skills at home. For students wanting to strengthen their Chinese proficiency, the Chinese Made Easy series is an excellent choice, offering options tailored to various ages and skill levels. Additionally, you’ll find workbooks to practice math, spelling, grammar, and more—perfect for reinforcing key concepts. Browse their inventory online to check availability or visit their stores to explore the full selection in person!
Bookazine, Various Locations, https://bookazine.com.hk/
Cosmos Publishing is one of Hong Kong's top publishing houses, offering an extensive selection of books, stationery, and school supplies.
If you’re learning a new language—be it Japanese, French, Mandarin, German, or others—or a budding linguistics student in need of reference books, Cosmos has you covered with a diverse range of resources.
They also cater to local schools, providing book orders for kindergartens, primary, and secondary schools. For secondary and high school students preparing for local and international exams such as the HKDSE, A-Levels, IGCSE, IB, or IELTS, Cosmos offers official practice reference books to support your studies.
Cosmos Books, Basement, 30 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, +852 2866 1677, https://www.cosmosbooks.com.hk/
The Hong Kong Book Centre is one of the city’s premier bookstores, renowned for its wide selection of English books, including textbooks. It is proudly affiliated with Swindon and Kelly & Walsh.
Students and professors from HKU often place their book orders online using their designated student or teacher login. Additionally, primary and secondary school textbooks can also be conveniently ordered here.
Hong Kong Book Centre, 25 Des Voeux Road, On Lok Yuen Building Lower Level, Central, +852 2522 7064, http://www.swindonbooks.com/
Pearson is a leader in language learning and has been a trusted name in education for many years. They provide textbooks and resources to learners and educators in numerous schools across the city.
For young learners, Pearson offers Longman materials (pictured), including the highly recommended Longman Smart Pen. This interactive tool helps children practice their English vocabulary and comes with a complete set of textbooks, a wide range of readers, and more.
Pearson's products are available at various retail bookstores across Hong Kong. You can check stock online, place orders, and make purchases through these stores or platforms like HKTVMall.
Pearson Hong Kong, 18/F, 1063 Kings Road, Quarry Bay, +852 3181 0123, https://www.pearson.com.hk/
T.H. Lee is a trusted provider of textbooks for schools across Hong Kong and also operates as a retail store for various textbook publishing groups. Fans of the Oxford Reading Tree series will be pleased to know that it’s available here as well.
You can browse and order directly from their website or visit one of their three convenient locations in Causeway Bay, Jordan, or Kwai Hing.
In addition to textbooks, their physical stores also stock a variety of stationery and school supplies, making it a one-stop shop for students and educators alike.
T.H. Lee & Company, Various Locations, https://www.thlee.com.hk/
The Commercial Press is Hong Kong’s largest bookstore chain, with 22 branches and a long-standing history spanning decades. They offer an extensive range of textbooks in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, as well as stationery and school supplies.
If you’re in need of books, materials, or even calculators approved by the EDB of Hong Kong (specifically designed for local school students), The Commercial Press has everything you’re looking for.
The Commercial Press, Various Locations, https://publish.commercialpress.com.hk/
Founded in 2015, Elephants has become a leading online bookstore, ideal for students in higher and more advanced grades. They offer a vast collection of English and Chinese study guides, including textbooks, workbooks, study aids, and reference books covering a wide range of subjects—from law and philosophy to accounting, the sciences, and more.
As an online store, Elephants provides the convenience of home delivery or the option to pick up your books from their head office.
Elephants, B2, 22/F, Gee Chang Hong Centre, 65 Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, +852 2398 2191, https://www.elephants.com.hk/
There are many bookstores in Hong Kong that provide a lot of learning materials for students. Check these locations for more selections.
Now we know you can't buy these books, but the library, is accessible and is perfect for those that need temporary reference books for research purposes.
Most especially if you check out the Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay, and if you are a student looking for materials you can use in essays, papers, and presentations, you can find great reference works here. You can also check their online database to find titles, electronic resources to see which library supplies any of the books that you are looking for.
Read on to find the Top 10 Public Libraries to visit in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Public Libraries, Various Locations, https://www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/index.html
Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Bay Road, Causeway Bay, https://www.hkpl.gov.hk/
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