Kekeno, Curious Explorer

'Kekeno, Curious Explorer' is a beautifully illustrated non-fiction picture book which offers a detailed look into the life of Aotearoa New Zealand’s native fur seals. Creatively balancing scientific education with enchanting storytelling, this book is an engaging and highly recommended resource for young nature enthusiasts. A newborn kekeno (seal pup) is navigating his first year of life, from the rocky shore where he learns to swim, to ocean dives hunting for squid. The narrative builds further tension as the pup soon faces roaring storms, whirring boat motors, and predators. Young readers will particularly enjoy his land-based antics toward the end of the story, where his signature curiosity leads him straight into a neighbourhood for an unexpected couch nap.

Katie Furze’s lyrical text effectively uses vivid onomatopoeia and rich details, making it a great read-aloud choice (my year 3 class loved it), while helpful facts at the bottom of each page will satisfy curious tamariki. Ned Barraud’s illustrations beautifully add detail and emotion to the plot. Complete with background information and fur seal facts, this book is an absolute must for school libraries.