"I believe this is one of the most significant books published in New Zealand - it is the story of our modern history." Julia Marshall, Publisher
Gavin Bishop ONZM, Tainui, Ngāti Awa, is a leading New Zealand illustrator. He has published over 70 books internationally and been translated into 12 languages. He has written for television and theatre, as well as a libretti for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. His awards include New Zealand Children’s Picture Book of the Year in 1982, 1994, 2000 and 2013. In 2019, he was named the winner of the Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement – Non Fiction.
"There is pleasure to be found at many levels in this splendid
book…"
*Magpies (AU)*
"I feel that I can confidently predict that we won’t ever find a
more beautiful book that will keep their interest for years to come
as they discover the different layers within the book…This is a
really important book with a very important story."
*Radio Southland (NZ)*
"The old nursery rhyme is brought brilliantly to life in a colonial
setting, based on Bishop’s own whakapapa, wrapping indigenous myth
in both word and pattern around traditional English text, drawing
parallels between animals of myth and those brought by the
Pakeha"
*The Listener (NZ)*
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