The Kai Stars of Matariki, Miriama Kamo and Zac Waipapa
Scholastic, 2024, also available in te reo Māori
Scholastic have released two new books as we celebrate Matariki.
Exciting news! Author Miriama Kamo and illustrator Zak Waipapa have created a terrific followup to their popular picture books, The Stolen Stars of Matariki and The Twin Stars of Matariki. In The Kai Stars of Matariki, it’s time to give thanks to Tupuānuku and Tupuārangi, the stars linked to the growing of kai in and above the ground. The story is set in Te Mata Hāpuku Birdling’s Flat, AKA the ‘best place in the world’ where lizards dart, waves smash and the cliffs are jagged. Sam and Te Rerehua often visit Grandma and Pōua who live there.
At night they go hunting for eels. It’s time to stock up on kai ready for the Matariki feast: ‘a time when we stop our mahi and focus on whānau,’ Grandma says. She tells the tamariki it is time ‘to plan for the future and give thanks for all our blessings’.
Ah. The eels are plentiful, and are dried and frozen ready to be cooked for the celebration. But! Calamity! Catastrophe! A group of patupaiarehe, the fairy folk, are gleefully schlurping up the tuna. What to do? Sam and Te Rerehua draw upon grandma’s wisdom nestled inside them and come up with a cunning plan.
This is a cool book to read, in a whizz, in a gulp, with a gasp and a smile, and yes, I especially love the ending!
Miriama Kamo is an award-winning journalist. She was the anchor of TVNZ’s flagship current affairs programme Sunday and Māori current affairs programme Marae. Miriama has worked on many of TVNZ’s key programmes including 1 News at 6 as a newsreader. She has published several books with Scholastic NZ, including the bestselling Matariki Around the World.
Zak Waipara is a former NZ Herald graphic artist and HOD of Animation at Animation College. Zak Waipara (Rongowhakaata, Ngati Porou, Ngati Ruapani, Ngati Kahungunu) is now Digital Media lecturer at AUT. He has worked as a designer for Māori Television’s children’s show Miharo, illustrated comics and a range of books, and created animated music videos. He is also the illustrator of Horeta and the Waka and Īhaka and the Unexpected Visitor (Scholastic NZ). Born in Milton, in the South Island, Zak now lives in Auckland.
My Matariki Colouring & Activity Book, illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Scholastic 2024
My Matariki Colouring & Activity Book is based on the #1 bestseller Matariki Around the World, by Rangi Matamua and Miriama Kamo. So many different activities for you to try: colouring in along with join the dots, drawings to do, word finds, words to complete, star patterns to create, recipes to try, crafts to create, plus many many more. The activities will take you on a Matariki journey. I love this fun-filled craft-action book!
Isobel Joy Te Aho-White is an artist of Māori, British and Danish Ancestry. My tribal affiliations are Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Wairoa, and I whakapapa to matakite and healers. I see myself as part of a fabric that is made up of my tūpuna – this guides how I experience the world around me. I currently live and freelance in Pōneke/Wellington city and hold a bachelor’s degree (hons) in graphic design majoring in illustration from Massey University.
A Matariki Poem challenge
I would like to give these two books to one young reader and writer! Send me a Matariki poem.
Your poem might shine like the stars or tell a Matariki story or hook up a Matariki memory or remind you of someone or a Matariki feast or be in the shape of a star or a kete or share some wonders of Matariki. It is your poem to shone and sparkle as you want! Have fun!
I will post some poems and give away the books.
Deadline: Monday 24th June
Send to: paulajoygreen@gmail.com
Include: name, age, year, name of school
Don’t forget to write Matariki poem in email subject line
I will post some Matariki poems that week and have the two books to give away!
Poetry Box 