Engaging Moa

Press, 7 August 1982, Page 16

Engaging Moa

Pukunui and His friend Moata Moa. Written and illustrated by James Waerea. Macmillan, 1982, 38 pp. $9.95 (paperback $6.95),

This is an engaging addition to.the. growing body of New Zealand children's books which make good use of the multicultural character of New Zealand society. The story is simple — a young Maori in pre-European times sets out with his friend, a moa, to gather food. The pair end up by having a dramatic escape from a band of hunters who would like to get Moata, the moa, for their own meal. Appealing, colourful illustrations, and a lively text written for children up to about eight or nine years, are set out in a bright, easy-to-read fashion. Through the book, the Maori language is unobtrusively accorded a place in a way that should help establish its proper status in the minds of young New Zealanders. Author and publisher hope that there will be opportunity, to offer more., adventures of Pukunui arid Moata Moa to : young New Zealand readers. Children who like a good tale and adults who can see the benefit of an " indfgenous, multicultural -literature for New Zealand children, - ■will both sympathise; with this hope.—John Wilson. • -. : : y . ;