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Reviewed by Stacey Ross, Teacher Aide & Librarian, Mangorei School, New Plymouth
Opening sentence
Aotearoa New Zealand was once covered with forests, ferns, wetlands and grasslands.
I was very impressed by this book. The presentation is of a high quality, with an easy to read font, appealing layout, quality colour photos, and a glossy finish. The book covers the history of wild life in New Zealand/Aotearoa - both native, and introduced, and is written in a way that is informative and engaging to readers. 'Wild Life' takes the reader back to the time of Gondwana and through to today, and is rich in facts. It covers information about the animal (e.g. appearance, habitats and habits), alongside the human connections to them. Photos and images have clear captions and links to the main passage.

The book would ideal as a source for student research into New Zealand/Aotearoa wild life, but also for those who have a general interest in animals and insects. It would be a perfect addition to any library, particularly those for upper primary, intermediate and above age levels.
Publisher: Oratia
ISBN: 9781990042980
Format: Paperback
Publication: February 2026
Ages: 10 - 16 years
Themes: Aotearoa wildlife