Riding the Waves / Whakaeke I Nga Ngaru
Retold and illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Translation to te reo by Katarina Te Heikoko Mataira
Published by Random House NZ Ltd 2007
ISBN Hardback 13: 978-1-86941-787-1
ISBN Paperback 10: 1-86941-787-9
- Shortlisted for the NZ Post Children’s Book Awards 2007
- CLFNZ Notable Book 2007
A sequel or companion book to TAMING THE SUN, Gavin
Bishop's latest stunning book contains four more Maori myths,
including two well-known legends (Maui finds his family and Maui and the
goddess
of fire) and two less well-known legends (Hatupatu and the birdwoman
and Rata and his waka).
Aimed at children 3-10 years, these myths are simply and yet
elegantly written. Gavin's characteristic sense of humour is
evident in all of the stories, and while each story is exciting
and often a little
bit scary, they are resolved beautifully. Gavin allows the essence
of the original myths to remain while also re-telling them for
a new generation of children.
The illustrations are stunning - the different
colour palette
for each story and the strong mix of techniques create bold and
beautiful images that integrate with the words in a powerful and meaningful
way.
RIDING THE WAVES is a collection that continues to take traditional
myths to a new level. Created by one of New Zealand's most talented
and passionate children's book writers and illustrators.
“The four stories retold here are mostly familiar but Bishop’s language is fresh
and simple. They would work well read to children or read by them. The strong,
competent illustrations have a sense of immediacy (helped by the fact that the
main technique is monoprint) and most use a wet-in-wet style of background colour.
A different palette of background colour is used for each story so that each
tale is effectively colour-coded.
The book’s design makes the text part of the illustrations so that the
role of the illustrations becomes one of creating an atmosphere for the stories.
The Maori version of this book, WHAKAEKE I NGA NGARU, particularly impressed
our Te Reo consultant: This is masterly story telling in te reo Maori compelling,
stimulating and invigorating. It enhances and takes the English to a level in
Maori where readers in te reo can appreciate and enjoy the story as taken from
its original roots.”
- NZ Post Children’s Book Award Judge’s Report 2007
