NZ Writer & Illustrator
Michael Brown, illustrated by Mat
Tait
The Heading Dog Who Split in Half
Potton & Burton 2015 $39.99pb 156pp
ISBN: 978 1 9272 1357 5
Themes: Graphic Novels/ Legends
and Tall Tales from New Zealand/ New Zealand folk tales
In a meticulously and clearly illustrated
graphic novel we are treated here to a collection of seven weird and amazing
tales from Pakeha and Maori stories – some to stretch the imagination and some
definitely true. There are stories based on old songs (Rueben Ranzo which was sung on the old sailing ships around 1880)
and some have been handed down as folk tales through generations of
families. My favourite is the
spooky story of Cargill’s Castle in Dunedin, the tunnel that led from it to the
private cove and the mysterious deaths of at least two of the beloved Cargill
daughters. There is a detailed section where the author shows us all his sources. I agree with Sarah
Laing reviewing the book in The Listener
(9.1.16 p56) who writes that laying them out for us in such detail does deflate
the stories a little (but you don’t have
to read the story behind the story).
This is a book that, in my opinion, belongs in every
school library in the country. It is a treasure.
Find much about Michael Brown, a Wellingtonian, on
his website: notunlikeatrumpet.wordpress.com
The book website is: https://oldweirdnewzealand.wordpress.com/
Mat Tait's website is: http://www.mattait.com/
The book website is: https://oldweirdnewzealand.wordpress.com/
Mat Tait's website is: http://www.mattait.com/
Year 6 up/ Age 10 up – and adults
 |
| A Ball at Cargill's Castle by Mat Tait p62-63 The Heading Dog who Split in Half |
Kia ora Barbara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review of our book. We're glad that you enjoyed it and appreciate your endorsement. Did you notice that your own book about the Cargill Family 'Children of the Captain' was cited? It was helpful in researching the background to the Tunnel Beach legend.
For your information, we have a book website at: https://oldweirdnewzealand.wordpress.com/
And Mat's site is: http://www.mattait.com/
Ngā mihi,
Michael
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael I will add your websites later today. Barbara M