Matariki

Ahakoa he iti he pounamu

E tohu ana tēnei whakataukī i te wairua o te pukapuka Matariki nei. I whakamārama pai a Gavin Bishop i ngā tohu o ngā whetu Matariki.Anei tāku, e rongo ana ia whārangi o te pukapuka ki tēnei whakatauki. I whakamahia itihia ngā kupu e Gavin Bishop heoi anō he nui te whakamarama. Kia wātea tēnei pūrākau te huārahi ki te mātauranga Māori e pā ana ki te wairua o ia whetu o Matariki.

Kua tāpirihia ki te whakamārama o ia whetu e Gavin ngā pikitia kia whakapakari ai te wairua o ia whetū. He pukapuka mārō tēnei nō reira kia ngāwari kia mau i ngā ringaringa iti. Kāore te pukapuka nei he wāhanga o tētahi punipuni puka. Heoi anō, e tū kaha ana te pukapuka nei ki te taha i ngā pukapuka rongonui atu nā Gavin Bishop.

Ehara ētahi pitopito kōrero mā ngā kaiako hei hoa haere mō te pukapuka Matariki. Ki tōku whakaaro ko tēnei pūrākau he wāhi tīmatanga pai mō te rangahau atu ki ngā whetū katoa o Matariki. Ka pai te pukapuka Matariki mō ngā kaipānui mā ngā tamariki nonohi me ngā tamariki kaumātua hoki. He pai hoki te reo rua mō ngā tāngata katoa. Whaowhina te kete mātauranga.


Ahakoa he iti he pounamu

This whakataukī came to mind as I read Gavin Bishops book Matariki. Using very few words Gavin has managed to share deep matauranga Māori with all readers of this book. Helpfully in reo rua, both in te reo pākeha and in te reo Māori. We learn the beauty of what each of our Matariki stars represent though Gavin’s writing and illustrations.

The art work throughout the book is bright, simple and beautifully illustrates the essence of each Matariki star.

This sturdy board book is ideal for childrens' hands.

Matariki is not part of a series as yet however it stands strong alongside Gavin Bishops other incredible books.

There is great potential here for the publisher to prepare teacher/parent notes to accompany the book.

Matariki is a book that will be handed down within the family for years to come. Its sturdy board book features and clever framing of what each of our Matariki stars represent ensures its durability and it will take its place among our most loved Aotearoa books, I’m sure. Toddlers will most certainly love Matariki and the easily recognisable illustrations as will the older children and grownups reading it to them.