Three Kiwi Tales

Janet Hunt has brought us 3 tales of kiwi who have been helped by Wildbase hospital and the amazing conservationists and vets that provide help for hurt or sick native animals in New Zealand. The book begins with some history, some physiology and an introduction to the 5 species of kiwi. Then we go on a journey following the stories of Latitude, the unexpected North Island brown kiwi egg/chick; Raratoka, the South Island tokoeka and Piwi the small brown kiwi. Each kiwi had to be uplifted from its natural habitat and helped by the skilled and passionate staff at Wildbase hospital. All three stories are very different with different treatments and very different rehabilitation strategies but each story shows the dedication of kiwi conversationalists. The reader will learn about kiwi habits and habitat and of the programmes such as Operation Nest Egg and the Wildbase Recovery Centre. The stories are interspersed throughout with facts and diagrams about kiwi.

I am recommending this book for older Primary age and above because it is quite advanced reading and because the stories are interrupted by facts and information. If readers are like me they will want to skip the facts and carry on with the stories then return to read the other informative sections.

Title: Three Kiwi Tales

Author: Janet Hunt

Publisher: Massey University Press

ISBN: 978-0-9951001-4-5

RRP: $24.99

Format: Paperback

Date of Publication: 7 November 2019

Ages: 9+

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

How are you recommending this book? Recommended

Opening sentence?. Kiwi are so very weird that when a kiwi skin was taken to England in 1812, a lot of people thought it was a giant hoax.

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