A First Book of New Zealand Backyard Bird Songs Written by Fred van Gessel White Cloud Books; RRP: $27.99 Board Book This beauftifully illustrated sound guide is the perfect way to introduce both tamariki and adults to the wonders of bird song. Each of the 12 species covered – Morepork, Kaka, Sacred Kingfisher, Grey Warbler, Silvereye, Bellbird, Tūī, Fantail, Chaffinch, Song Thrush, Blackbird and Starling – has a short description explaining some fascinating facts about each bird. The reader can then press the relevant button on the side panel and a 10 second burst of the bird’s song will be played. Tamariki will be fascinated with the book, spending time relaxing and listening to different bird songs that they may hear within your early learning space and your local environment. For tamariki 2+. Look – A Tummy Time Book By Gavin Bishop Gecko Press; RRP: $24.99 Board book This clever concertina board book is perfect for tummy time and features friendly faces on one side of the book and familiar toys and objects on the other side. The illustrations are drawn in bold lines with a striking minimalist colour palette in this fully reversible book, which folds to nearly two metres. The book offers diversity within its illustrations and perfect for your youngest pēpi. Tā te Kiwi 123 Puka Tatau Written & illustrated by Donovan Bixley Translated by Darryn Joseph Upstart Press; RRP: $19.99 Paperback Tā te Kiwi 123 Puka Tatau is the te reo Māori version of The Great Kiwi 123 Book. This short and easy read supports counting in te reo Maori along with expanding young children's te reo vocabulary. The illustrations are bright and cheerful with many characters recognisable from previous books by the author. For tamariki 2+. Look! Said the Little Girl Written by Tania Norfolk Illustrated by Aleksandra Szmidt Scholastic NZ; RRP: $21.99 Paperback As they walk, a young girl describes the things she sees to an elderly, visually impaired man, who turns the tables when he describes to the child what it is that he hears. Through the senses of look, listen, and smell these two protagonists open up the world of description to young children. The book has a sense of mindfulness to it as it also shares the themes of friendship, self-expression and listening to others’ ideas. Both the text and illustrations are evocative and whimsical. For tamariki, 3+. My Bum’s on the Run Written by Dawn McMillan Illustrated by Ross Kinnaird Oratia Books; RRP: $19.99 Paperback This popular ‘Bum Series’ has a new book, and one which tamariki with their humour stuck in the toilet will enjoy! This time the hero of the series is trying to find solutions to speed up his running and his ‘bum’ that won’t keep up the pace. Along with the humorous text are the ‘crack-up’ illustrations which tamariki will find hard not to giggle at. For tamariki 2.5+. August 2023 { 42 }
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