Te Kōkōrangi / The Astromancer

This is the enthralling story of an orphan girl Aria and her amazing guide. Along with four boys and her dog, Aria is taught the lessons and importance of Matariki and Maramataka. Aria is headstrong and carrying the burden of sorrow and self-doubt she does not seem to appreciate the lessons. Will Aria’s impetuous nature be her downfall and jeopardise the whole tribe or will she step up as a leader and save them?

There are many powerful messages within this woven mix of mythology and creativity including the value of heritage and the wisdom of elders but also the importance of youth and reality of change.

The strength of the female characters of Aria and the Astronomancer, Te Kōkōrangi is as inspirational as is the fortitude of the boys. This story lends itself to many moral lessons but its merit is in the story telling. The illustrations with their dreamy hues of muted colour and flowing lines enhance the spirit of the narrative and the contrast to the black and white images of conflict are effective in their starkness.

While this is a longer text than many picture books it is presented in chapters and would work as a classroom read aloud.

Title:Te Kōkōrangi: Te Aranga o Matariki / The Astromancer: The Rising of Matariki

Author: Witi Ihimaera

Illustrator: Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Translator: Hēni Jacob

Publisher: Penguin Random House

ISBN: 9780143778271 (te reo Māori) 978 0143776154 (te reo Pākehā)

RRP: $25

Format: Hardback

Publication: May 2022

Ages: 6+

Would this book work as a read aloud? Yes

Is there a particular part of the country that it is set in? Aotearoa

Reviewer: Elaine Wills, Library manager, Enner Glynn School, Nelson

How are you recommending this book? Highly recommend

What’s the book’s opening sentence? Te Kōkōrangi heard a dog barking

You can buy this book here