Review of The Maori Picture Dictionary / Te Papakupu Whakaahu – Margaret Sinclair & Ross Calman, illustrated by Josh Morgan & Isobel Te Aho-White

A playful and comprehensive look-up reference to everyday words, for anyone interested in te reo Maori.

This comprehensive picture dictionary contains illustrations for over 1400 of the most common words used in daily life. Wonderfully illustrated by two up-and-coming Maori artists, The Maori Picture Dictionary / Te Papakupu Whakaahua has a sense of fun that makes it easy to use. Many words are clarified in short sentences in both English and te reo. There is also an index of Maori to English words at the back – ideal for quick reference. Other useful sections cover numbers, days of the week and months of the year, plus full-page themed illustrations covering school, home and the marae.
A great introduction to the Maori language for all ages.

The Maori Picture Dictionary / Te Papakupu Whakaahu

Margaret Sinclair & Ross Calman, illustrated by Josh Morgan & Isobel Te Aho-White

Penguin Random House New Zealand

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jan Butterworth

When you hear the word dictionary, you think of a staid book with dry, boring lists of words and their meanings. And then you have this book which totally smashes the stuffy old stereotypes.

The traditional alphabetical layout is followed with over 1400 of the most common words used every day.  Each English word has the te reo word directly underneath and then a drawing depicting the word.  Many words also have a short sentence in both English and te reo that clarifies how they are used.

Most of the book is the English / Maori word list with the exception of several pages at the end.  First, there’s a page of themed word lists; such as days of the weeks, months of the rear, colours, and parts of the body.  Then there are full paged illustrations of a home, a classroom, and a marae, with common object that are found in each labelled in English and te reo.  Lastly, there’s an index of Maori to English words.

The illustrations are fantastic with such descriptive pictures of each word that is featured.  The vibrant colours burst off the page and are lifelike and make the whole book fun to look at.

This is an awesome resource and it is so well laid out.  The themed word lists and index are ideal for a quick reference and I like the way it is not only English to te reo but also for te reo speakers giving the English word.  This book will be invaluable for te reo learners, big or small, and every Kiwi home needs a copy, bilingual or not.

Review of The Herd – Emily Edwards

You should never judge how someone chooses to raise their child.

Elizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They’re the best of friends, and godmothers to each other’s daughters – because they trust that the safety of their children is both of their top priority.

But what if their choice could harm your own child?

Little do they know that they differ over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child’s birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined . . .

The Herd

Emily Edwards

Bantam Press

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Jan Butterworth

Best friends for years, Elizabeth and Bry are complete opposites in personality.  Elizabeth a calm, organized lawyer turned community organiser.  Bry, a creative free spirit and former successful TV producer turned full time mum.  Despite their differences they are extremely close, living in the same street and god-mother to each others daughter.

But Bry has a secret she never shared with Elizabeth.  One that causes her to make a decision that will have far-reaching consequences for both of their lives.

Wow!  This book makes you think and shows shows how a personal decision may have an impact on others and that the vaccine issue is not black and white.  It is easy to paint all of the people with a similar view with the same brush but that there maybe deeper issues going on behind a decision.  This is especially relevant now with the vaccine debate and I hope it stops people being so quick to label and judge others.

The twist at the end is shocking and unexpected. A thought-provoking story that is also a damn good read. I highly recommend it.

Review of Fry’s Ties: The Life and Times of a Tie Collection – Stephen Fry

By the time he was fifteen, Stephen Fry owned more than forty ties. Inherited initially from a grandfather, matters turned more serious when he could afford to buy them brand spanking new.

Stephen’s collection now numbers well into the hundreds. And each tie – whether floral, fluorescent, football themed; striped or spotty, outrageous or simply debonair – tells a story. A tale of the garment itself – the shops, makers and designers – as well as of Stephen, his reasons for choosing it, whether an occasion or just a whim.

Inspired by Stephen’s hugely popular Instagram posts, this book will feature beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations and photographs to celebrate his expansive collection of man’s greatest asset: the Tie, in all its sophisticated glory.

Fry’s Ties: The Life and Times of a Tie Collection

Stephen Fry

Michael Joseph

Supplied by Penguin Random House New Zealand

Reviewed by Stephen Litten

To quote Stephen Fry, “Anyone can wear a tie, though nowadays few do.” Like hats, they used to be de rigeur men’s attire. And while hats are fighting a bit of a rear-guard action, ties are now seen only at certain events, and even then, only on certain people. Fry and I are of an age to remember, almost, when every man wore a tie, though not when shirts had detachable collars (wasn’t really a thing in New Zealand but feel free to express an opinion). Fry inherited such shirts, and collars, and ties, from a grandfather. With that inheritance a fascination with ties was kindled. Fry tells it much more deprecatingly.

Fry’s Ties genesis was Instagram, during the first British Covid lockdown. Much of the text is what accompanied the daily selection of a tie, it’s provenance, postage stamp history of the designer/manufacturer/retailer (Fry was never such a wanker as to buy ties in a boutique).

Fry’s original home photography has been replaced with a more publishing friendly set by Clare Winfield, along with illustrations by Stephanie von Reiswitz and some other credited artwork. The ties themselves are often stunning examples of textile art, although some are selected for their texture more than their colour. There are also guides as to how to tie the various knots.

Fry opines that the tie fills the Goldilocks of exhibition spaces; not too hot, not too cold, not too big not too small. His book does the same for the bookshelf. Plus, it is jammed full of Fry’s wit. Buy it. Demand a copy for your birthday. Borrow it from the library if you really must. But do read it. Kind thanks to Penguin Random House for the review copy.

Review of Te Tuna Watakirihi Me Nga Tamariki O Te Tiriti O Toa: Watercress Tuna And The Children Of Champion Street – Patricia Grace & Robyn Kahukiwa, translation Hirini Melbourne

A bilingual Maori-English edition of Patricia Grace and Robin Kahukiwa’s classic story of an eel who brings children together to celebrate their diverse cultures, translated into te reo by Hirini Melbourne.

\He aha nga koha whakahirahira a te tuna korokoro huna kura ma nga tamariki o te Tiriti o Toa?
Kei roto i nga watakirihi o te mianga o Te Awa Iti
e noho ana he tena korokoro huna kura.
I tetahi rangi ka koromiko a Tuna i tona whiore
ka kowhiti mai waho i te mianga o Te Awa Iti . . .

What special gifts does the magical Tuna bring the children of Cannon’s Creek?

Te Tuna Watakirihi Me Nga Tamariki O Te Tiriti O Toa: Watercress Tuna And The ChildreChampion StreetPatricia Grace & Robyn Kahukiwa, translation Hirini Melbourne

Picture Puffin

Reviewed by Jan Butterworth

One day, a magical eel who lives in Cannon’s Creek (a suburb in Porirua, Wellington) decides to gift presents to neighbourhood children.  As Porirua is very diverse, the gifts are from each child’s cultural background and relate to dancing/singing.  The group of Maori, Pasifika and Pakeha children then use their gifts to celebrate their neighbourhood.

This is described as a classic NZ story though I had never read it.  Maybe because of my extreme snake phobia no one was silly enough to let me read it – a tuna is an eel in English and eels are very snake-like to a 4 yr old (and a 44 yr old).  Now it has been re-released as a bilingual book with the original translation as well as te reo text.

I didn’t look at the illustrations closely (eels = snakes) as they are very lifelike, but they are full of colour and explain the story simply and effectively.  The text is in simple paragraphs and the background colours make it easy to read, while the book itself is light and easy to hold.

A very positive story that kids will relate to as the characters look like them or their friends AND it has a magic eel!   This book is a fun read with a good message of ringing people together.