“Weaving history and legend, Gavin Bishop sets his dramatic tale of an albino kiwi and Te Marama - the moon - against a traditional Maori and later colonial backdrop of settlement, war and forest fire. The ending is celebratory and magical, the illustrations - plant and portrait - beautifully rendered and deeply engaging. A Kiwi classic in the making.” - Dylan Owen, Dominion Post, Dec 3 2005

“At first glance, this beautiful picture book simply tells the story of the relationship between an albino Kiwi and the moon. Looked at more carefully, the book’s pictures reveal a second narrative. In the background there is pa. A war canoe arrives, a challenge is made, the chief dies. Then a group of British soldiers is seen marching; scenes of fighting follow and the pa’s wooden palisades burn. Finally the pa site is shown as an abandoned hill, while on the cleared land below is covered with dozens of tree stumps.

The various aspects of this book interact with each other brilliantly, creating a smooth effect. Gavin Bishop has created an accessible and unified fable. Over the years, Gavin Bishop has created many wonderful books but Kiwi Moon is his best so far; a classic of the future.” - Trevor Agnew, The Source, (Aust/NZ website for Children’ Literature) 2005