Sky High (Jean Batten’s Incredible Flying Adventures)
She was born in 1912 in Rotorua. While her Father was away fighting in the War her Mother brought her up and encouraged and helped her to realise her dream to fly a plane. They were not a wealthy family. To raise the money to sail to England where Jean could take flying lessons she sold their piano.
“Flying is man’s work,” people said, but the little (1.5 metres tall) New Zealand woman soon proved them wrong.
Then Jean made bigger plans to fly from England to Australia. After many adventures, setbacks and a few crashes along the way her fearless determination and flying skills helped her survive storms and crashes, as she crossed great oceans and lonely deserts in her tiny plane.
In 1934, Jean Batten set a world record for the fastest flight from England to Australia. Two years later, she made the first-ever solo flight from England to New Zealand. The journey of 23,000 kilometers took 11 days and 45 minutes and was another world record. His was an incredible achievement in the days when there was no GPS, computer or radio on board.
It made her famous both abroad and at home. Maori people gave her the name Hine-o-te-Rangi, daughter of the skies. But hard times followed and eventually she died penniless and alone on the Spanish island of Majorca.
Her story, which is suitable for 5 years and up, will inspire girls to reach for the sky. But I think boys will be equally fascinated by the accurately drawn pictures of the different planes she flew and Jean Batten’s great sense of adventure.
Sky High: Jean Batten’s Incredible Flying Adventures is by David Hill and Phoebe Morris (illustrator) Imprint: Picture Puffin. RRP $25
The Great White Man-Eating Shark
His second love is swimming at a wonderful bathing beach called Caramel Cove. But when he shoots through the waves like a silver arrow other people get in his way which makes him very cross and resentful.
So Norvin hatches a devious plan. He makes a dorsal fin for himself, just like that of a great white man- eating shark, and slides into the water. And being such a good little actor he can make his face look just like that of a man eating shark looking for prey when he comes up to breathe.
The terrified bathers panic and rush to get out of the water. So for quite some time Norvin has the beach all to himself.
But one day as he is enjoying another solitary swim a female white man eating shark nuzzles up to him.
“You are the shark of my dreams.” she says ‘Marry me at once or I shall lose my temper and bite you!”
His disguise has finally landed Norvin in trouble and the trickster is about to be taught a lesson.
Margaret Mahy has a magical way with words and a wonderful imagination. Young children will love this delightfully scary cautionary tale!
Title: The Great White Man-Eating Shark. Author: Margaret Mahy Illustrated by Jonathan Allen. Publisher: Hachette RRP $19.99
Hairy Maclary, Hide and Seek. A Lift-the-Flap book
Well actually he’s doing the hiding and the cats are blissfully unaware that Hairy could pounce at any moment. Greywacke Jones is hunting a bee, Butterball Brown is washing a paw and Mushroom Magee is asleep on a ledge.
But when Hairy Maclary finally decides to bounce out of his hidey hole he gets more than he bargained for. Because he is about to meet the most fearsome of all the neighbourhood cats “Scarface Claw’ who gives him a big fright and chases Hairy Maclary all the way home!
I think you can never go wrong with a Hairy Maclary book. Children just love him! And what make this one especially fun for pre-schoolers is that they can join in Hairy Maclary’s game by lifting the flaps on each page to find his hiding places.
Title: Hairy Maclary Hide and Seek. A lift-the-flap Book. Author: Lynley Dodd. Imprint: Picture Puffin RRP: $17.99
Counting for kiwi babies and Colours for kiwi babies
The words in these two charming little sturdy books are in both English and Maori so they are a great way to introduce them toTe Reo while they learn their colours and numbers.
Counting for kiwi babies:
In Counting for kiwi babies little ones will learn to count to ten in both English and Maori. And catch their first glimpse of one morepork(ruru) , two kingfishers ( kotare) , three fantails (piwakawaka) , four kiwi , five tuis and more of our special native birds.
And who knows? Showing little children these lovely illustrations of our feathered friends might just sow the first tiny seed in their hearts for a desire to protect them.
Counting for Kiwi Babies by Matthew and Fraser Williamson. Imprint: Picture Puffin. RRP $12.99
Colours for kiwi Babies:
Pohutukawa is red (whero), Kowhai is yellow and Kiwi is brown ( paraone)
But as this is a book for kiwi kids black (pango) just had to be an All Black rugby jersey. And on the very last page there is an iconic white Pavlova ( paherowa).
Many grandparents these days have grandchildren who live overseas. I think these two little books would be great to tuck into a suitcase to bring a taste of home to their kiwi grandbabies.
Colours for Kiwi Babies by Matthew and Fraser Williamson. Imprint: Picture Puffin. RRP $12.99
Reviews by Lyn Potter
Parent and grandparent, Avid traveller, writer & passionate home cook