Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes

This book sits perfectly alongside the new Histories Document. It is a collection of te ao Māori myth and legend and covers all the stories that underpin tikanga. Gavin includes the tales we all know and introduces us to the Atua wahine whose stories we may never have learned of before.

Interwoven in the stories are many facts to support the reader to develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between tikanga, science and the environment.

The back of the book includes a glossary of terms (Nga Kupu) to support the readers.

Title: Atua: Māori Gods and Heroes

Author & Illustrator: Gavin Bishop

Publisher: Penguin

ISBN: 9780143775690

RRP: $40.00

Format: hardback

Publication: August 2021

Ages: 5-12

Themes: Myths and Legends

Do you have any advisory warnings for this book? Due to the nature of the topic some of the illustrations can be revealing (partial nudity) but this is appropriate to the context.

Would this book work as a read-aloud? Yes. The stories would be great to read aloud and the facts included would be great for the reader to explore at a later date or could be used to prompt discussion

Is there a particular part of the country that it’s set in? Stories have been collected from across all iwi

Reviewer: Leanne Nathan, Associate Principal, Clendon Park School, Auckland

How are you recommending this book? Highly recommended

Opening sentence: Before the beginning, there was nothing.

You can buy this book here