Talking Tukutuku product reviews

After their mother came home from a marae visit, the two children were full of questions. That made Talking Tukutuku highly relevant for them as they have not yet had a chance to visit their own marae in Whanganui, something that the whole whanau is planning to do one day soon.

The most compelling part of the book for both children was Zak Atea's artwork. Mr Three especially is at the age where a book is accessible only through the illustrations. He relies on adults or older children to share the text. Miss Six is able to sound out some of the words on her own but still needs a lot of support. However, once the book had been shared several times, both children were able to pick it up and comment with confidence on what was happening in each picture.

I was impressed, as was the children's mother, with the beauty of the pictures and the way that they conveyed the awe experienced by young Hinatore when the tukutuku came to life and took her on a journey of connection. Before Aotearoa ever had a written language, visual records ensured that stories were shared through the generations. Oral histories complemented these artworks and others such as carvings.

Miss Six and Mr Three were enthralled with the story of Hinatore's journey as she discovered her place in the whakapapa of her tupuna. After playing with her cousins Ariki and Mara in the stream, Hinatore stayed behind to listen to the lessons of the tukutuku panels. Gradually they shared their knowledge with the little girl and taught her to understand the various strands so she could then share them with other people. When she told Nanny Ihi about her experiences, Nanny Ihi was overjoyed and assured Hinatore that she was blessed to be entrusted with this knowledge.

Some of the Maori words and phrases which may be unfamiliar are included at the bottom of the page where they first occur, together with an English translation. The children's mother knew all these words already apart from tokotoko, which she did not recognise. However, there were several others that were new to the children, and for a reader who is just starting to learn Te Reo this help is invaluable. As well as this, there is an informative page at the end of the story on tukutuku panels for those who are unfamiliar with them. In addition to being a wonderful book for children, it provides a great introduction to Te Ao Maori for visitors from overseas or for new immigrants.