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For readers aged 5 to 10
Reviews
The Sapling ~ Author Kris Herbert is a science journalist turned children’s writer, and illustrator Dïne is an Otago-based artist who people may recognise as the illustrator of Ruby Loud Mouse and the Ruru. Herbert wrote this story after seeing a short news article about an ill kea being driven to a veterinary hospital by a police officer, who sang to the kea to keep it calm. Apparently—and I learnt this from the book!—kea can get lead poisoning from nibbling on the old nails used to make backcountry huts. The story explores the process for treating kea with lead poisoning, from researchers first picking up Wānanga, to his eventual return home (and a final page includes some facts about the journey he went on after that!). Overall, a lovely addition to the ‘Stories of Saving Native Birds (And Occasionally Other Animals Too)/ subgenre.
KidsBooksNZ ~ A heartwarming tale about how researchers are saving not just Wānanga, but other kea from lead poisoning. Unfortunately kea are rather partial to car parts and lead nails on roofs. The lead builds up in their bodies and poisons them. They become groggy, vomit and make bad decisions like wandering onto roads and, unfortunately, are often hit. At the back of the book is a fact page about the kea and a website you can log your sighting if you should ever see one in the wild: www.keadatabase.nz
Read the full review.
About the Kiwi creators
Kris Herbert is an award-winning science journalist who worked for over 24 years in print media. Over the years, Kris has written about everything from hard science to soft toys. Kris was born in California but has spent the last few decades in Lyttelton.
Dïne (pronounced ‘Deen’) graduated from a French Art school, specialising in illustration, storytelling and character design. She works with traditional mediums such as ink, watercolor and pencil, often incorporating digital technique. This is her fourth book. She lives in Glenorchy, outside of Queenstown.
