An exciting story about native New Zealand animals waiting for the Maori New Year that is fun and educational.

The Maori New Year is a time for celebrating, food and family. A little Kiwi in the New Zealand coastal bush wakes up in the middle of her sleep because she can feel it coming. One by one, she runs to her friends to wake them up so that they can spend the Maori New Year together.

• Readers will relate to this story of the excitement one feels while waiting for the New Year.
• The simple story is set against a stunningly illustrated New Zealand coastal bush backdrop.
• Readers will be intrigued by the legend behind the cluster of stars known as the Seven Sisters.

“The crisp, stylized illustrations are energetic, and the palette of browns, blue, yellows, grays, and white and black highlight the nighttime escapade. … An engaging observance of a Māori holiday.” —Kirkus Reviews (U.S.)

The Author-illustrator

Nikki Slade Robinson has been an illustrator and author for many years. She illustrates for a wide range of national and multinational businesses, producing greeting card artwork, cartoons, educational illustration and much more. Most of all she loves drawing for children and has illustrated over sixty children’s books.

Fountas & Pinnell Guided Reading Levels

Guided Reading Level: K

Grade Level Equivalent: 2

Educational Descriptions

Picture book, tale, Social Studies context: Diverse cultures, celebrations, culture, traditions and holidays, The Maori New year, Story elements: setting: New Zealand, plot and character development, main character, Little Kiwi,  problem and solution, Illustrations enhance meaning and tone, Comprehension strategies: Predicting outcomes,  identify main idea and details, cause and effect relationships, & changes from beginning to end of the story. Back matter: non fiction narrative on The Maori New Year Themes: Holidays, diversity.

Interest Age: 6 to 9 years

Reading Age: 7 to 8 years

RRP: $24.99

ISBN: 978-1-76036-094-8

Format: Hardback

JUVENILE FICTION / Holidays & Celebrations / Other, Non-Religious