TŌKU WHĀNAU REREHUA – MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY Written by Rauhina Cooper Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White Oratia Books; RRP: $22.99 Paperback Tōku Whānau Rerehua tells the story of a young girl’s experience in learning that families can come in all shapes and sizes, and all can be beautiful. The book is also about connectionwhanaungatanga and whakapapa where tamariki share their family photos in class, and discovering along the way that all families can be different, but also the same, and as the author states, “ … there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ family structure and that whānau is whānau.” Written in te reo Māori and translated into English, this bilingual book touches the heart with inclusive language through the dialogue of tamariki along with the stunning illustrations. For tamariki 4+. NGĀ ATUA – MĀORI GODS By Robyn Kahukiwa Translated by Kiwa Hammond Oratia Books; RRP: $22.99 Paperback Ngā Atua is a pukapuka all early learning centres should have on their bookshelves. Tamariki will love the descriptive illustrations from this internationally renowned artist and the text is a simple and beautiful introduction to these Māori deities, offering a bit more information than some other books in the market including atua who are wāhine. The book was originally published in a hardback edition in English, with this edition being in te reo Māori and in paperback. For tamariki 3+. COOK ISLANDS – KŪKI ‘AIRANI / SĀMOA Written by Jean Teekura Mason Written by Dahlia Malaeulu; Translated into Gagana Samoa by Tapaau Auvaa Oratia Books; RRP: $29.99 Paperback These two books are part of a new series bringing bilingual reading about the South Pacific to both children in Aotearoa New Zealand and in the islands, and written to address the lack of good reading materials about the South Pacific not only in English but also in local languages. They have been aimed at readers aged 8 over but are still great resources to have in your early learning centres to support both teachers and children learn more. One important focus of both these books is how Pacific peoples maintain and adapt their culture while living in Aotearoa. The text is wordy but dotted within the text are full colour photos and illustrations throughout. HARRIET’S HUNGRY WORMS Written by Samantha Smith Illustrated by Melissa Johns EK Books; $24.99 Hardback Harriet’s Hungry Worms offers readers a charming story about worm farms, the foods worms eat and the benefits a worm farm offers for the garden that is uncomplicated and not weighed down with facts. At the back of the book are simple worm facts to support young gardeners. The quirky illustrations add to the theme cleverly by incorporating recycled materials on each page. This broadens the experience for young readers and invites them to delve deeper into sustainability. For tamariki 2.5+. EYE SPYCLOPS Written by Libby Whittaker Illustrated by Lily Uivel Little Love; RRP: $20.00 Paperback Eye Spyclops is a relatable story of a young cyclops needing glasses within a fantastical world, with both the text and the illustrations alluding to a land where difference is normal, a world inhabited by cyclops, fairies, dragons and other magical elements. Readers go through the experience of an eye exam and looking for the right size and look that the young cyclops is happy with. The whimsical illustrations offer a world that at first glance looks familiar but is full of difference, with an eye spy challenge at the back of the book. For older tamariki 4+. June 2023 { 41 }
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