Swings + Roundabouts Spring 2021

Tuna Wātakirihi Me Ngā Tamariki O Te Tiriti O Toa, Te / Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street By Patricia Grace Illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa Translated by Hirini Melbourne Picture Puffin; $19.99 Paperback Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street is a classic story of an eel who brings children together to celebrate their diverse cultures. This edition, like The Kuia and the Spider is written in both English and te reo Māori. Kōwhiti atu ana a Tuna ki te whare o Fa’afetai, ka hāmanai tōna waha. Ka toro atu a Fa’afetai, ka tangoa mai he ailao afi. Tuna bounded into Fa’afetai’s house and opened his mouth wide. Fa’āfetai reached in and took out an ailao afi. This story based in a real suburb, Cannons Creek, in Porirua, celebrates the diversity found in the suburb as well as much of Aotearoa New Zealand and along with the detailed illustrations allow many tamariki to see themselves and familiar environments similar to their own homes. This book will be enjoyed by tamariki 3+. The Dinos on the Bus By Peter Millet (3-7 yrs) Ladybird; RRP $17.99 Paperback Hop on and sing along to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus" in this collectable new picture book series! "The Wheels on the Bus" transforms into the squeals on the bus as the little dinos travel up and down, round and round, all through the land. Packed full of actions to join in, with a calming ending to wind down after all the excitement, this is the perfect first picture book to enjoy together. Young readers will stomp their feet and clap their hands in delight as they sing along with this fun-filled, dinosaur reinvention of this popular rhyme! This is Where I Stand By Philippa Werry Illustrated by Kieran Rynhart Scholastic; RRP: $27.99 Hardback This is Where I Stand is another great addition to add to your resources about ANZAC Day. The story is centred on the statue of a WWI soldier who stands over a town square sharing insights into his memories of the war: I remember the blue ocean waves, the sand of the desert, the bustling streets of Cairo, the beaches and steep cliffs of Gallipoli, the ruined villages of France. The soldier shares what he has witnessed over time, from children growing, ANZAC Day commemorations, protests and the growing of a town: Year after year, I stood here. The tress grew taller and sheltered me with their branches. The roads filled with traffic. There were more houses and more shops. The lyrical text doesn’t breeze over heavy topics, … the soldiers with bandaged eyes and missing limbs … but doesn’t glorify these realities of war either. Alongside the beautiful and emotive storyline are the exquisitely detailed and haunting illustrations which offer a further layer and context to the story. For children 4+. September 2021 { 37 }