The Wolf and the Hocus Pocus

This book is one of a series of 'Feel Brave' books. The initiative 'Empowering Brave Voices for Change' has been brought to life by the Life Education Trust, Save the Children and Women's Refuge to empower tamariki to use their voice and seek help if they need it.

The rhyming text in this picture book bounces along nicely, but then the text and illustrations turn a little scary - there's a thief in their midst! Awesome illustrations of a variety of animals having fun changes into dark and upsetting scenes as each of the characters find that their family treasures - cloaks (taonga)- have been stolen.

How awful for Hamish to find out that it was his Aunty that was the thief! She was a famous star (and an adult) that turns out to be the baddie! He should have been able to trust his aunty! A tricky situation, telling the truth, learning right from wrong.

For lesson plans and curriculum links you can scan the QR code (on the inside front page) which I thought was a great idea as teachers would need to be guided in the right direction while reading this book to children.

I would recommend this book but I do feel it would be a little too scary for the intended audience of probably 6 to 8 years of age.