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So far Daisuke Hirata has created 113 blog entries.

There’s a Crab in my Castle takes young readers to the rocky shore

There’s a Crab in my Castle / He Pāpaka kei taku Pā Dawn McMillan Illustrated by Nikki Slade Robinson Translated by Stephanie Huriana Fong Fourth book in bilingual nature story series takes young readers to meet seaside creatures  Summer is coming and there’s plenty of action for young readers down at the seashore in the latest addition to the nature story series by bestselling author Dawn McMillan. When an inquisitive girl goes to the rocky shore she builds a sandcastle and soon gets many visitors: crab and sandhoppers, snapper, kina, manta ray and more. The fun ensemble of seaside creatures is brought to life across colourful pages with evocative pictures.

2024-10-15T08:58:58+13:00October 15th, 2024|Children's books|
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Moana Oceania Series: Fiji – Viti

Photo-packed introduction to the people, culture and identity of Fiji arrives in new bilingual book Moana Oceania Series: Fiji - Viti by Tarisi Vunidilo Despite Fiji being among the largest Pacific Island nations, there is a dearth of good books about the country in print.  This fourth volume in the Moana Oceania Series aims to address that situation with highly illustrated text in English and Fijian. Fijian–New Zealand educator Tarisi Vunidilo introduces the people, culture and identity of her homeland in simple terms in the colourful and informative Moana Oceania: Fiji - Viti. The bilingual text offers insights into society, geography, legends, arts, history and language — outlining the values of Fiji’s people, and how families live and celebrate life. 

2024-10-09T08:47:02+13:00October 9th, 2024|Children's books, Fijian|
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New book tracks the worldwide flight of ‘Kiwi’

Kiwi: A Curious Case of National Identity Richard Wolfe How did the Māori name for a flightless bird come to mean a New Zealander and a fruit that originated in China, while morphing into the badge for the national rugby league team and the air force? Not to mention becoming the brand name for everything from rabbit traps to a bank, and a term for pilots who are no longer flying? Kiwi: A Curious Case of National Identity tracks this unlikely evolution. Diving into the natural history of this unique bird and its significance to Māori, the story spreads its wings to relate how ‘kiwi’ came to symbolise the emerging nation during the First World War – thanks in part to a brand of boot polish originating in Australia.

2024-10-07T20:01:30+13:00October 7th, 2024|General|
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New picture book retells Rātā and the tree pūrakau

The Ever-Standing Tree Te Rākau Tū Tonu Tim Tipene Illustrated by Ani Huia Ligaliga Translated by Kanapu Rangitauira Modern retelling of a classic story comes to life in picture book about learning respect for nature  A modern interpretation of the classic pūrākau of Rātā and the tree, Tim Tipene’s The Ever-Standing Tree/Te Rākau Tū Tonu highlights the importance of respecting and protecting nature. In a typical Kiwi suburb, Dad cuts down the tree in the backyard – to get a better view. Overnight, the insects and birds work their magic and put it back together, leaving the family stunned. A battle of wills between the blade and nature ensues, until Dad finally comes to realise how special the tree is.

2024-09-02T06:37:48+12:00September 2nd, 2024|Children's books, Māori|
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