THE BOY AND THE TANIWHA

Te Ao Hou, March 1967, Page 58

THE BOY AND THE TANIWHA Text by R. L. Bacon Illustrations by P. Matchitt Collins Bros and Co., 13s 6d reviewed by D. M. Forsell This book tells a story of the relationship of a young Maori boy with his grandmother and of his search for a Taniwha. The tale is set in a time prior to the coming of Europeans to New Zealand and refers to several customs, beliefs and myths of the ancient Maoris. The story is informative, amusing and well written and the copious illustrations in colour are fresh, gay and, with considerable originality, most skilfully drawn. The illustrator, although he has based his drawings on Maori artistic concepts and forms has, nonetheless, succeeded in imparting a most pleasing liveliness to his work. The print is large and clear. A minor criticism: it is unfortunate that the brief instructions on the manner in which Maori names and words should be properly pronounced are printed on the dust cover to the book and not in the book itself. The book is very good value for its price, and it is suitable for reading in primary schools, as well as in the home, by children aged between six and eleven years.