Where the Heart Is By Irma Gold Illustrated by Susannah Crispe EK Books; RRP: $24.99 Hardback Where the Heart Is is a touching story inspired by true events when a Magellanic penguin, washed up on an island village just outside Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His rescuer, Joao named the penguin, Dindim. Dindim stayed for a year before leaving for the Patagonia coasts of Argentina and Chile, 8000 kilometres away, but he never stays away, and returns to the village every year. This heartfelt tale is beautifully told through descriptive detailed prose and stunning illustrations that demonstrate the tender relationship between Joao and Dindim. The story reminds us all on the bonds that can be created between man and animal and the difference we make when we care. For children 4+. Starfish the Star By Elaine Bickell Illustrated by Daron Parton Scholastic; RRP: $19.99 Paperback Starfish the Star is a fun rollicking rhyming story about Starfish, who lives in a tank along with Seahorse, Jellyfish, Clownfish and Ray and who longs for fame. He spends his days stuck to the front of the glass craving the looks of passersby. Starfish believes his ‘star-shaped’ form will allure ‘fame’ until one day a crack in the glass threatens the wellbeing of the tank occupants. Only Starfish can stem the flow through the crack, but this means retreating to the back of the tank and foregoing stardom to save the day! Starfish discovers that fame doesn’t just come by what you look like, but what you do! The hilarious illustrations add to the fun and will be enjoyed by children 3+. There’s a Moa in the Moonlight / He Moa kei rō Atarau By Dawn McMillan; Māori text by Ngaere Roberts Illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson Oratia Books; RRP: $29.99 Hardback This fun story about a young girl who peers out her bedroom window and sees: There’s a Moa in the moonlight. He’s in our garden plot. He’s munching all our melons. He likes seeds a lot. This vibrant illustrated book that highlights Aotearoa New Zealand’s extinct animals has a lovely twist at the end celebrating a child’s voice and imagination. At the back of the book is a spread of facts about each extinct animal. This bilingual book will be enjoyed by tamariki 3+. There’s a Ghost in this House By Oliver Jeffers HarperCollins; RRP: $35.00 Hardback There’s a Ghost in this House is a subtle book, with very little text, letting the illustrations tell much of the story about a young girl who has lived alone in a house for a long time and who believes it is haunted, but she has never actually seen a ghost herself! With every turn of the page, tamariki will enjoy making ghosts appear and disappear as they travel around the spooky house to find the ghosts hidden within the book. The ghosts appear on translucent pages that overlay Jeffers’ mixed media illustrations. Despite the name and story premise the book will only delight, rather than scare young readers who have total control of deciding when the ghosts appear! For teachers looking for art examples, this mixed-media book unintentionally gives you and tamariki inspiration when using collage in art! For tamariki 3+. December 2021 { 40 }
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