Lizzy's favourite te reo Māori picture books

Matihe! Achoo!

What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho ana i raro i te korowai poho o Papatūānuku. Nā tana kaha pīrori, huri huri hoki, ka tōkenekene a Papatūānuku i tōna ihu ki tana oneone. Aiii. Ma - ma - MATIHE! Mataoho is a grumpy tupua who dwells under the blanket of the Earth. He tosses and turns so much that Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, tickles his nose with her soil. Uh-oh... Ah - ah - ACHOO!...

Hikoi

Inspired by the hikoi in response to the Treaty Principles Bill, this story draws on the words of resilience and resistance that have inspired generations of Māori in the determination for our land, language, and right to live as Māori and shape our own destiny. In the story, a koro and his moko join the hikoi to parliament and remember past actions and activists who marched for justice. In the march, there are many figures from many communities and many walks of life, but they all walk in the same direction, unified in a vision of the future in which people thrive. The words of the story inspire us to be resilient and remind us that we are not alone, and that in coming together we are powerful....

Toitu

Inspired by the hikoi in response to the Treaty Principles Bill, this story draws on the words of resilience and resistance that have inspired generations of Māori in the determination for our land, language, and right to live as Māori and shape our own destiny. In the story, a koro and his moko join the hikoi to parliament and remember past actions and activists who marched for justice. In the march, there are many figures from many communities and many walks of life, but they all walk in the same direction, unified in a vision of the future in which people thrive. The words of the story inspire us to be resilient and remind us that we are not alone, and that in coming together we are powerful....

Pukapuka

A family's delightful journey across town and into a place which is fun, restful, informative, musical and absorbing in turn. A very special treat for library lovers, young and old alike, from one of Aotearoa's best-loved author/illustrators.

Kei Te Pehea Koe?

A beautifully illustrated bilingual picture book of phrases to help children say how they feel in Māori and English! A gorgeously illustrated book to help readers describe how they feel in Māori and English. A delightful, easy introduction to saying how you feel using te reo. Young and old alike will be able to describe whether they are feeling hōhā (bored), mākāriri (cold), matekai (hungry) or simply tinopai rawe (fantastic)! A pronunciation guide in the back of the book gives new learners of te reo a simple guide to the language.

Kei Hea Taku Mama?

From the author and illustrator of the popular children's picture book The Gruffalo, Kei Hea Taku Mama? (originally titled Monkey Puzzle) is now translated into te reo Māori. Featuring the same stunning illustrations as the original book, the te reo Māori translation retains the unique humour of the original story as butterfly eagerly tries to help little monkey find his mum.

W Is For Wahine Toa

Forget everything you know about alphabet books! This isn't simply a guide to letters and words; it's your bilingual dose of dynamic energy for all ages. Dive into the vibrant wold of te reo Maori, where each letter sparks an empowering, transformative experience. With stunning imagery capturing the female essence, W is for Wahine Toa isn't just a book to be read - it's a book to be felt. Get ready to unlock your inner strength. Whakarewatia ou mohiotanga mo nga pukapuka arapu! Ehara tenei i te pukapuka e whakamarama noa ana i nga reta me nga kupu; he pungao uekaha reorua ke, ma nga reanga katoa. Rukuhia te ao ngangahau o te reo Maori, ko ia reta e kora ana i tetahi wheako whakamana, whakahuri hoki. He...

Kia Hou Taku Tou!

This bilingual Maori and English edition marks ten years since the first publication of I Need a New Bum! All of the colourful main text is in Maori, following our hero as he searches for a tou hou/new bum, after discovering that his current one has a crack. 'Subtitles' in English run at the bottom of the page, helping readers of all ages to understand and learn.

Kaua e Tuku Ma Te Kukupa Te Pahi e Taraiwa!

The popular children's picture book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is now translated into te reo Māori. With the same lively, cartoon-like illustrations as the original book, the reo Māori version retains the fun and humour of Mo Willems's story. It captures the pigeon's pleading, wheedling, and reasoning as it tries to get the reader to agree to it driving the bus while the driver isn't there.

Te-Ika-a-Maui/The Fish of Maui

The beloved Te-Ika-a-Maui/The Fish of Maui by Peter Gossage brings the iconic Maori myth to life in a beautiful bilingual Maori-English edition, enriched by Merimeri Penfold's poetic translation. This captivating tale recounts the adventurous exploits of the demigod Maui and his remarkable feat in discovering the North Island of New Zealand, also known as Aotearoa. Denied the chance to join his jealous brothers on their fishing expedition, the clever and persistent Maui cleverly stows away. Once at sea, he reveals his presence and uses his magical fishing hook to catch an extraordinary fish. Through Gossage's striking illustrations and Penfold's lyrical translation, readers are transported to a world of myth and magic where Maui's cunning and bravery create a new land. This bilingual edition not only presents a cherished...

Ka Hikoi a Putangitangi

Te Tanguruhau - the Gruffalo

With the same beautiful illustrations as the original book, the te reo Māori translation retains the humour, rhyme, and rhythm of the original story and the clever character of the little mouse whose antics trick all the animals and Te Tanguruhau - the Gruffalo. An audio file of the book being read in te reo Māori is also available.

Hairy Maclary no te Teri a Tanarahana

Join the mischievous and adventurous dog, Hairy Maclary, as he sets out from Donaldson's Dairy and embarks on a whimsical walk through town. With his friends in tow, the curious and lively Hairy Maclary encounters a series of delightful and surprising events. Each turn of the page brings a new discovery and another reason to smile. Hairy Maclary no te Teri a Tanarahana is a captivating children's book written by the celebrated author and illustrator Lynley Dodd, now beautifully translated into Māori by the esteemed broadcaster, actor, and writer, Waihoroi Shortland. The story remains faithful to the charm and rhythm of the original while embracing the richness of the Māori language. This enchanting tale is an excellent way to introduce young readers to the Māori language, offering them...

Ko Rama

A moving story of friendship. Moving with his dad to live on Grandma's farm turns out to be great fun for Danny. He makes friends with a wee goat — also motherless, just like Danny — and they have many adventures together. Then Dad marries again, and they move to the city...will Danny ever see Rasmas again? Ko Rama is a moving story of friendship between a boy and his goat. It deals naturally and sensitively with the issues of loss and parental re-marriage. With heartwarming illustrations by Jenny Cooper, winner of 2015's NZ Children's Book Awards Book of the Year. Te Reo Māori translated by Ngaere Roberts.

Kei Reira Nga Weriweri

With the same lively, creative illustrations as the original book, the te reo Maori version retains the simplicity and imagination of Maurice Sendak's story, capturing Max's feisty character, the magic of the adventure and 'wild rumpus', and the pleasure of things returning to normal.

Ko Tama Me Te Taniwha (Tama and the Taniwha - Maori Edition)

Tama is down at the lake with his sisters and grandparents. When his sisters tease him about a taniwha being in the river, he takes a deep breath and dives in anyway. What is that wonderful, swirling, sparkling apparition? Is it a taniwha ... or is it something else altogether?

I Roto Te Ngahere

I Roto Te Ngahere is a retelling of Olive Wadsworth's traditional counting rhyme 'Over in the Meadow', featuring New Zealand flora and fauna.

Tangaroa's Gift

This is the story of how Paua came to have his colours. Paua is sad and lonely. The other sea creatures mock his slowness and unattractiveness. Tangaroa, god of the sea, takes pity on him and gives him a dazzling shell of many colours. But the jealousy of the other sea creatures results in Paua still being miserable, so Tangaroa decides to hide his beauty within his shell, where only he can see it.

Te Anuhe Tino Hiakai

The popular children’s picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, translated into te reo Māori, is now available in a board book. With the same beautiful illustrations and dye cut pages as the original book, the te reo Māori board book retains the humour and quirky character of the little caterpillar and simplicity of the story.

Rere Atu Taku Poi!

Written in te reo Māori and translated by the author, Rere Atu Taku Poi! is a beautifully illustrated story about gender fluidity in a school setting. Rangi loves doing haka, but performing poi is his favourite—even though his classmates say it's just for girls. When the lead poi performer falls sick before a school performance, Rangi has to take her place. How will the other students and audience react—"Surely a boy can't lead the poi?" Promotion will carry through to Te Matatini 2025, which will take place in Ngāmotu New Plymouth in late February that year.