Stripes! No, Spots!
Tiger claims that his stripes are more handsome than spots. But Leopard insists his spots are simply divine!
Their little squabble turns into a battle and then a full scale war in which all the other jungle animals take sides. The jungle is soon a complete mess. At last monkey has had enough and shouts ‘Cease Fire!’
The jungle council has to intervene. They have a little conference and come up with a plan to stop the war. A peaceful contest will be held to judge the fashion awards.
All The animals have to line up. The judges announce the finalists complimenting each one in turn. Elephant is first as “Wrinkles are all the rage”
Then (Surprise! Surprise!) David Attenborough pops up in a khaki coloured jacket which is judged to be wild! When the judges eventually get to Tiger and Leopard they wisely comment that spots and stripes are always stylish especially when they’re together. But Flamingo is the winner because they adore its fluffy pink plumage.
Thanks to the wise jungle council the jungle is peaceful once more, well almost. Tiger and leopard can’t resist engaging in another little conversation that could lead to more trouble.
I think this book would appeal especially to fashion conscious little girls. The colourful illustrations are adorable and my granddaughter really liked them.
And apart from just being lots of fun Stripes! No, Spots is good way to teach little ones that the best way to solve an argument and to stop a war is for leaders to think of a peaceful solution that everyone can abide by.
Vasanti Unka is a designer and illustrator based in Auckland, New Zealand. She has won numerous awards.
Title: Stripes ! No, Spots!Author: Vasanti Unka . RRP $25 Imprint: Puffin
The Adventures of Hutu and Kawa
This a gentle heart-warming Once Upon a Time story about two Pohutukawa babies who have made their home in an old Pohutukawa tree. At Christmas time it is covered in masses of bright red flowers.
Keen to explore the forest Hutu and Kawa enlist the help of Grandpa Kiwi to build a canoe by hollowing out a totara branch with tiny greenstone chisels.
Eventually the job is done and they are ready to start their adventure. Some of their forest friends bring them gifts for the journey. The birds have made them two beautiful feather cloaks in many colours woven from their own feathers.
They set off and meet lots of friendly forest creatures along the way. When they are warned by a fantail that danger lurks as Bush Hawk is on the way they quickly hide in a hollow log only to find two big yellow eyes staring at them from the darkness. Morepork is not happy that they have invaded his home.
Their troubles are not over. They are caught in a thunderstorm and eventually get lost. Fortunately Grandfather Kiwi has given them a magic whistle to blow three times in case of emergency and here is an opportunity to use it.
For Grandparents this book might well be a nostalgic walk down memory lane. Avis Acres’ books which with their beautiful watercolour illustrations were best sellers in the 1950’s and the adventures of the Pohutukawa babies also appeared in the NZ Herald each week at that time. This book is a 60th anniversary hardback edition of one of these stories.
Pre-schoolers would enjoy having this story read to them. And it’s also a lovely introduction for them to many of our native flora and fauna.
Title: The Adventures of Hutu and Kawa. Author: Avis Acres.RRP $25
Imprint: Puffin
The Roadman Boogie
A roadman is getting cold, bored and soggy and complains that all he has to do is to tell the traffic sloshing by to Stop-Go-Stop.
But when a loaded car pulls up, with music playing loud, he simply can’t help himself and starts dancing for the crowd.
Egged on by an appreciative audience, he soon gets completely carried away and as each vehicle drives past playing a different kind of tune he changes his dance routine to match. A little Latin number makes him really want to Rhumba, a dazzling Disco track makes him flip from front to back, and a busy Bugle band has him standing on one hand.
Meanwhile the weather is deteriorating. The rushing river rises, the road floods and he has to put the Stop sign up and close the road.
The traffic queues build up and people are likely to be stuck in the traffic for hours. So he persuades them to get out of their cars to join him. Soon they are dancing happily along with him in the mud.
This is a cheery little tale. Pop it into the car with you if you are taking the grandchildren for a road trip in the holidays. It would keep them entertained should you find yourself in a traffic jam.
Title: The Roadman Boogie. Author: Nikki Slade Robinson RRP Hardback $29.99 Paperback $19.99 Publisher: Duck Creek Press
- 9 years ago
Hi Poll85783, Hutu & Kawa is available through bookstores such as Whictoulls, they should also be able to help out with the Maori authors question too. It sure does look like a lovely book!