Author(s): Melanie Drewery (illus Bruce Potter)

Children's Māori Books

ÂTonight we have to go to bed really early, said Mum. ÂTomorrow morning we have a surprise. But what event would be so special to get you up in the middle of a cold wintert Matariki is rising and the new year is on the way. The rising of Matariki into the New Zealand sky signifies the beginning of the Maori new year  coinciding with the shortest day of the year. This delightful story follows one family as they celebrate the coming of Matariki and talk about what it means to different people. Melanie Drewery is the author of the hugely popular Nanny Mihi books. She lives on a farm at Ruby Bay near Nelson with her husband Jeremy and four girls. When sheÂs not running around after their menagerie of horses, chickens, dogs, cats, sheep and pukeko she works as a potter, artist and writer. First published 2003.