The Little Kiwi’s Matariki

Description

The Little Kiwi’s Matariki is gentle tale about celebrating Matariki, the Māori New Year, and includes an explanation of Matariki – its origins, traditions and how it is celebrated today. The constellation is also shown, with the Māori names for each star. The text contains some simple words in Te Reo Māori alongside the English equivalent.

An excellent bilingual book with captivating pictures and an entertaining story line.

Review

Best Friends are Books blog ~ In The Little Kiwi’s Matariki, Kiwi wakes up to the moon shining deep into her burrow. She knows that something is different from other nights and sets off to tell everyone that ‘it’s coming.’ All of the other creatures tell Kiwi ‘Kao. No, no little Kiwi,’ it’s their tummy rumbling or their singing in their dreams. They all follow Kiwi though, and when they get to the sea shore they see the light is coming from Matariki. The book ends with a simple explanation of Matariki that is perfectly aimed at young tamariki.

The Little Kiwi’s Matariki is my new favourite Matariki book. It’s perfect for introducing our young tamariki to Matariki in a fun way. It is an ideal book for parents, teachers and librarians who want to share a bilingual book with their tamariki. Nikki has included some basic te reo, alongside the English equivalent, which is great for those who aren’t confident speakers of te reo. Nikki has also used repeated refrains, like ‘Kao. No, no little Kiwi,’ that tamariki can join in with. Read the full review.

Meet the Kiwi author and illustrator

Nikki Slade Robinson has been an illustrator and author for many years. She works from her studio in Opotiki. Find out more on her profile page.