In keeping with my travel through Aotearoa this week I thought I would share this Legend told in picture book with you…
Published by: Puffin Books the Penquin Group NZ
Ages: 4 – 8 years
Theme: Legend of Courage, Traditions,
Opening line: Paikea rode on a whale. The whale was big and strong.
Synopsis: (as recorded by Wheelers) Tells the story of Paikea’s legendary journey across the sea from Hawaiki to Aotearoa. It shows how Paikea’s mystical prowess could transform him into a taniwha, a tipua or a man. The author’s version of the story of Paikea, an ancestor well-known throughout Polynesia, comes from Wiremu PoI tae, of Tokomaru Bay, who told it to William Colenso. Suggested level: junior, primary
Why I like it: This particular book while I now believe to be out of print was originally printed back in 1994, tells the story page after page in rich maori design. Not the normal colourful pictures you would come to expect for children but rich in true patterns that would be found in costumes or mats and carvings of ancestors that one would find carved into meeting houses or maori pa’s (buildings). This story inspired the NZ film “Whale Rider” and if you haven’t seen it, you should. Whale Rider tells the story of a young Maori girl who wants to continue the line of her ancestors , the Paikea’s by becoming a Maori Chief, which is normally handed down through the line of men. She learns the story of the Paikea.
Robyn presents this story in short, statement like text, usually only one or two lines per page. The illustrations in teal of the sea, orange wood colour of the carvings/faces set in black and white maori design is against a black background, tends to lend this book also for older children if interested in looking at artistic traditional designs.
Resources/Findings: This excellent website http://folksong.org.nz/paikea/index.html has material for teachers, discussion topics and origins of this story and the variations of storytelling, as well as a couple of action song videos for you to see school kids performing.
This website Te Ara New Zealand Encyclopedia is fabulous for reading up on New Zealand Maori Legends http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/canoe-navigation/3/3/2
Here Lisa Gerrard’s presentation of Whale Rider… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yonNVO1vrH0&feature=related
Here are some wonderful Maori craft ideas for kids, such as drawing the coiled fern shape. Something that is found in many Maori designs.
Lovely Maori Bookmark designs and how tos at activity village..…. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/maori_art_bookmark.htm
For more books with resources please visit the lovely author Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with the books reviewed by many authors.