Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapokai
By Michaela Keeble and Tokerau Brown
Review by Maia
This book is a collaboration between parent and child, about a brave, curious and confident young boy who takes pride in his name and asserts that others should do the same. Paku Manu Ariki Whakatakapokai is wise beyond his (seven but nearly eight and a half) years and contemplates all the things he’s learning about his world with sneaky wit and childhood optimism. This story is full of sweet and funny kids interpretations of te ao Maori and is a beautiful example of what childhood can look like when one is brought up knowing who they are and where they come from. Powerful, hilarious and profound with mesmerising illustrations – I loved it!!
