Incredible Journeys

This book gives us a fascinating insight into the reasons why our wildlife travel over long distances. Twelve animals are featured and each is given a two-page spread with their Te Reo name included, e.g. Toroa/Albatross. The maps included are indicative of the journeys these remarkable animals undertake (not accurate depictions), some crossing thousands of kilometers to different continents, such as the Tītī/Sooty Shearwater who fly 65,000 km annually, giving them an endless summer.

The perspective of the illustrations bring you up close to the action, from the crayfish crawling across the murky ocean floor, to the Tawaki/Fiordland crested Penguin diving and bopping up and down in the waves. Ned Barraud has created these illustrations to give the reader a real sense of movement and being a part of the action, hold your breath when turning the page with the white shark!

The information is in short paragraphs, brief, yet at the same time giving lots of facts and an overview of each animal, a springboard to deeper research.

Fabulous for a young nature lover, or anyone who has an interest in the natural world, the animals featured have fascinating journeys.

Title: Incredible Journeys: New Zealand wildlife on the move

Author & Illustrator: Ned Barraud (lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington)

Publisher: Potter & Burton

ISBN: 978-1-98-855028-2

RRP: $21.99

Format: Paperback

Publication: November 2021

Ages: 5+

Themes: Nature

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? Highly recommended

Opening sentence: Have you ever wondered about the animals of Aotearoa that spend much of their lives travelling?

You can buy this book here