Hoe, hoe, hoea te waka

This is a fabulous Kiwi take on the more traditional ‘row, row, row your boat’. We follow Pūkeko, Kiwi and Hoiho on their adventure on a waka to Aotearoa, squealing as we meet a tuna/eel and doing a pūkana when we see the Taniwha.

Rebecca Larsen’s pastel illustrations are bold and bright and playful. The bright colours and bold black outlines make the illustrations pop off the page.

First published in 2016 and reprinted in 2017,2018 and 2020, this is a revised edition featuring Māori and English waiata, a CD, digital link and sheet music. Books with accompanied soundtracks are always well used by our Junior school and I love the QR Code at the front of the book that links to the music, making it easy to access if you have a smart phone handy or if the CD is missing.

This book would be a wonderful addition to any primary school library.

Title: Hoe, hoe, hoea te waka Row, row, row your waka

Author & Illustrator: Rebecca Larsen

Publisher: Bateman Books

ISBN: 9781776890316

RRP: $14.99

Format: Softcover + CD

Publication: 2022

Ages: 3+

Do you have any advisory warnings for this book? No

Would this book work as a read-aloud? Yes

Is there a particular part of the country that it’s set in? No

Reviewer: Louana McCormack, Librarian, Opaheke School, Auckland

How are you recommending this book? Recommended

Opening sentence: Pūkeko, Kiwi and Hoiho decided to adventure around.

You can buy this book here