Another useful children's book to support the Matariki Programme

NZ Writer and Illustrator  Malcolm Paterson, illustrated by Hana Maihi The Tunnel in our Backyard  Oratia Books, 2016 $21.99pb 32pp Sharing Our Stories series Book 2  ISBN 978 0 9475 0604 9

Themes: Community engagement/ Cultural diversity/ Matariki/ Mount Albert – Auckland – History/ Moving house/ Waterview Connection Project/ Waterways - pollution.

Cousins, Jennifer and Tui learn much about the history of the Mount Albert (Auckland) area when they help their whanau move house. The story which is created to support the facts does sometimes clunk along a bit but it will be a really useful resource book  - not just for those living in the Auckland area – because of the way in which is supports, in many ways, the NZ curriculum. There are helpful translations of Maori words and phrases at the bottom of the page on which they occur in the text and the colourful illustrations merge past and present very successfully.  Visit: https://www.oratia.co.nz/  for more information.

Year 3 up/ Age 7 up   

Celebrating Matariki 2016 beginning on June 6th

NZ Writer and Illustrator

Nikki Slade-Robinson

The Little Kiwi’s Matariki

Duck Creek Press 2016  $19.99pb 32pp

ISBN 978 1 9273 0520 1

Themes: Matariki/ New Zealand Bush/ Repetitive Action Stories

Little Kiwi has a very strong feeling something special is happening and she rushes through the bush in the dark collecting her friends and their families to take them down to the seashore where they find  - Yes the stars of Matariki are already shining – it must be June 6th!  Children are enjoying the semi repetitive nature of this story and the wonderfully convincing colours of night in the New Zealand bush. There is just enough information about Matariki in this simply presented story to engage smaller people without its being overwhelming. There are also Te Reo words and phrases embedded in the text. It is a very satisfactory book both for the listeners and the reader aloud.

Preschool up/ Age 4 up

Picture Books - Matariki

NZ Writers and Illustrator

Rebecca Beyer and Linley Wellington, illustrated by Christine Ross

Daniel’s Matariki Feast

Duck Creek Press 2014   $19.99pb 32pp

ISBN 978 1 8773 7891 1

Themes: Elements of Matariki/ First days at school/ Maori New Year

Daniel is off for his first day at school and is full of anxieties and worries about meeting new children and leaving his mum behind.  But who could be shy for long when there is so much to do to prepare for the Matariki Feast? All the elements of Matariki are cleverly woven into Daniel’s story – the appearance of the stars/ the honouring and remembering of ancestors/ the harvesting and planning for replanting and the sharing at the feast. Christine Ross has brought her magic to the illustrations making it a special book to share with a group and for stimulating discussion and many activities.   

Year 2 up/ Age 6

 

This year Matariki will start on 28th June.

Source:  Manatu Taonga  - Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Another great book for this time is:

Matariki by Sharon Holt, illustrated by Deborah Hinde and reviewed on this blog on May 1^st 2014. 

(Do you remember a time when there was absolutely nothing, no books, no pictures to share the excitement of Maori New Year with children? Google the words for more material)