Pipi and Pou and the Waves of Destruction

In the fifth book in this series, Pipi and Pou along with their Nana solve the mystery of flooding along the east coast. They are all looking forward to a dessert of rhubarb and apple pie when the TV news includes a report of a natural disaster on the east coast. Nana takes a closer look and recognises they have a job to do as kaitiaki of the natural world. Dropping everything, they bundle into Betsy, Nana’s old car, and drive to the east coast of the North Island of Aotearoa.

Using their superhero and shape-shifting abilities, (explained more fully in the first book), they employ a bizarre but ingenious method of saving the stranded humpback whales.

The double-spaced text and action-packed plot make this an accessible read. The full-page black and white illustrations add interest, especially the one of Nana on a giant crab. The size comparison is more obvious.

The glossary of Māori words and phrases at the back is helpful but as a non-Māori speaker I would find it would aid the flow of reading if each Māori word had its meaning as a footnote at the bottom of the page.

A chapter of the next book in the series is included at the back. Although the series is numbered, the stories are stand-alone and can be read in any order.

This is an exciting locally-set series that primary children will enjoy, learn something about the natural world and perhaps recognise they can be kaitiaki too.