Thursday, January 8, 2015

Tā Daniel Hākari Matariki (Daniel's Matariki Feast) by Rebecca Beyer & Linley Wellington, illustrated by Christine Ross

I reviewed Daniel's Matariki Feast  for New Zealand Book Council's enews to schools The School Library last year, and now it's out in te reo Maori. The translation was done through Te Reo o Taranaki - a charitable trust, and was arranged by the authors who work at Puke Ariki.

I'm delighted that there are New Zealand publishers like David Ling at Duck Creek Press, and Scholastic New Zealand, who produce te reo versions of their picture books. It can't be a very profitable thing to do but our country needs as many of these resources as possible to keep the Maori language alive and well. 
Here's my original review:


Daniel is nervous on his first day at school. The teacher invites him to help in the garden with the rest of the class. Together, they pick pumpkins, talk about the Matariki feast they are going to have, and what the Māori New Year means. Daniel’s Mum remembers her granny looking for the seven stars, and they make her pumpkin cake for the feast. A warm, friendly story about why and how Matariki is celebrated as a time for remembering, sharing and beginning new things. Beautifully drawn illustrations capture the very Kiwi setting and celebrations. Suitable age 4–8. 

Daniel’s Matariki Feast

Written by Rebecca Beyer and Linley Wellington 
Illustrated by Christine Ross

Duck Creek Press, 2014
Hardback, ISBN 978-1-877378-90-4, $29.99
Paperback, ISBN 978-1-877378-91-1, $19.99

Tā Daniel Hākari Matariki
Publication March 2015
Paperback, ISBN 978-1-927305-02-7, $19.99


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