12 Huia Birds, 12 Manu Huia
This bilingual picture book serves as an environmental warning to readers about our sadly now extinct Huia. The story from 12 birds to none is told through bold colourful illustrations, lush and green when the Huia are in abundance living in forests, without human predators, then with the arrival of a waka, impact of possums, rats and man comes a menacing tone to the illustrations, depicted in dark colours, conveying a sense of doom.
First published in 2016, this edition is updated with Te Reo translation alongside the gentle rhyme of the English text.
There is an interactive app that readers can download to accompany the book, readers learning more about the Huia bird, continuing the environmental message.
A fabulous choice for a read aloud, keeping the story of the Huia alive: 12 Huia birds, alive and well, in paintings, songs and stories we tell
Title: 12 Huia Birds, 12 Manu Huia
Author: Julian Stokoe
Illustrator: Stacy Eyles
Translator: Lois McIver
Publisher: Oratia Books
ISBN: 978-0-947506-78-0
RRP: $22.99
Format: Paperback
Date of Publication: 14th July 2020
Ages: 5+
Do you have any advisory warnings for this book? No
Reviewer: Louana McCormack, Librarian, Opaheke School, Auckland
How are you recommending this book? Highly Recommended.
What’s the book’s opening sentence? 12 Huia birds greet a new day, in songs that sweetly share the word.
You can buy this book here