books for preschool-age

3 stories (6 books) in English and te reo Maori that celebrate Matariki. The six gorgeous mini books are contained in a special, woven gift kete,

Flit the Fantail & the Matariki Map/Ko Flit, te Tirairaka me te Mahere Matariki
Join Flit and his friends, Keri the kiwi and wise old Ruru, as they explore the night skies to work out how to capture a sparkling star.

The Seven Kites of Matariki/Nga Manu Tukutuku e Whitu o Matariki
Seven sisters make kites to celebrate the Maori new year. But when they take the finished kites to fly them, the east wind whips them all away into the sky where they now appear as the stars of Matariki.

The Stolen Stars of Matariki/Nga Whetu Matariki i Whanakotia
Sam and Te Rerehua are visiting their Grandma and Poua at Birdling's Flat. One night, Grandma notices something mysterious. Someone has stolen some stars from the sky. And then the patupaiarehe come out to play on the beach are those stars they're playing with?

New Zealand friends Pukeko, Kiwi and Hoiho are off to explore the stars. Join them as they perform actions and sing along to the waiata while they explore the 9 stars of Matariki.

Bilingual book includes:
- CD with two tracks in English and Maori
- Link to digital tracks
- Music scores

Bilingual book about Matariki - its origins, traditions and how it is celebrated today. The constellation is also shown. The little Kiwi is fast asleep and a beam of moonlight shines right down into her burrow. She wakes, and realises it is time. Hurrying out into the night, she wakes each of her friends from their mid-winter slumber. Kia tere! Hurry! she urges them.

Learn the names of the nine stars that make up the Matariki cluster through a memory match game. Set includes 18 cards of the 9 Matariki stars with koru style design on the reverse side.

Cards measure 11.5cm x 9.5cm and are printed on 300gsm matte laminate card.

The sixth title in the award-winning `explore & discover series, this book provides children with an opportunity to look under the surface and see what special creatures live around New Zealands freshwater habitats our creeks, rivers, lakes and wetlands.

Included in this title are animals ranging from the familiar pukeko to the rarely seen bittern, from the iconic eel to tiny whitebait, and some of the many barely known aquatic insects.

Swimmable and drinkable fresh water are hot topics, and this book shows that many native animals depend on healthy waterways for a habitat, and their presence is often used as a sign of the waters health.

Beautifully illustrated and impeccably researched, this is a wonderful and intriguing way for children to learn about New Zealands freshwater environments.

23cm x 21cm. Paperback, 36 pages. Author: Gillian Candler and Ned Barraud.