Kauri Boy and the Lost Kiwi

The first thing I noticed about 'Kauri Boy and the Lost Kiwi' was that it is written in simple language, making it very accessible for children who are gaining confidence in their reading and ready to try something new. Children who struggle with obeying the rules of the classroom (sitting still, not calling out) will find Kauri Boy a relatable character, and appreciate that he is shown to be kind and empathetic in his dealings with the kiwi. They will also like that Mrs McTilley, while frustrated with Kauri Boy’s behaviour, is still open and kind in her interactions with him, helping him to contact DOC and have the kiwi safely recovered. I liked how their shared interest in the kiwi becomes a way they reconnect on “days when they don’t see eye to eye”.

Gentle watercolour illustrations help bring the text to life. There is a wētā hidden on every page, and the book ends with two pages of facts about wētā. The hidden wētā are a cute idea that children will enjoy trying to find, though I found it strange that the fact pages were not about kiwi, given that wētā are not otherwise mentioned in the story. I think the book could have done with more editing and the use of bullet points in the story felt out of place for a picture book. However, children may not find this a problem, and I suspect they will enjoy the book regardless.