The Pōhutukawa Tree
By Linda Adamson
Recommended
Reviewed by Nova Gibson, Librarian, Massey Primary School, Auckland
| Author & Illustrator: | Linda Adamson, Illustrator: Hope McConnell |
| Publisher: | Penguin NZ |
| ISBN: | 9781776957330 |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Publication: | October 2024 |
| Ages: | 3-7 years |
| Themes: | Celebration of a Kiwi Christmas |
Recommended
Reviewed by Nova Gibson, Librarian, Massey Primary School, Auckland
Opening sentence
I am a pōhutukawa seed, plant me in the ground and water me.
The Pōhutukawa Tree book is a celebration of a 30-year-old song, written and sung by Linda Adamson of Love to Sing fame.
A pōhutukawa seed is given as a gift and planted in the yard of a home beside a beach. It is watered and nurtured. By the end of the song, it has grown into a huge tree hosting a tree-house and swings.
Hope McConnell cleverly illustrates the progression of the tree growing. The family increases in size, and as they age, this Aotearoa Christmas tree becomes a major player in the family summer holiday providing shade, entertainment, and the glorious red canopy.
McConnell also adds kiwiana in the illustrations: kiwifruit, jandals, kai, L&P, and the Edmonds cookbook. Children will have fun finding these items.
The text is in English and te reo Māori, with both languages on the same page. This makes it easier for readers to learn te reo Māori. A QR code at the back of the book takes the reader to a website to hear the song sung in both languages.
A pōhutukawa seed is given as a gift and planted in the yard of a home beside a beach. It is watered and nurtured. By the end of the song, it has grown into a huge tree hosting a tree-house and swings.
Hope McConnell cleverly illustrates the progression of the tree growing. The family increases in size, and as they age, this Aotearoa Christmas tree becomes a major player in the family summer holiday providing shade, entertainment, and the glorious red canopy.
McConnell also adds kiwiana in the illustrations: kiwifruit, jandals, kai, L&P, and the Edmonds cookbook. Children will have fun finding these items.
The text is in English and te reo Māori, with both languages on the same page. This makes it easier for readers to learn te reo Māori. A QR code at the back of the book takes the reader to a website to hear the song sung in both languages.
| Author & Illustrator: | Linda Adamson, Illustrator: Hope McConnell |
| Publisher: | Penguin NZ |
| ISBN: | 9781776957330 |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Publication: | October 2024 |
| Ages: | 3-7 years |
| Themes: | Celebration of a Kiwi Christmas |
Recommended
