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Good work on educational content

25/2/2022

The 13th Animal – Why Taffy the Cat Missed Out
by Vaughan Rapatahana
& Pauline Canlas Wu

Everyone has some understanding of the Chinese calendar which was developed more than two and a half thousand years ago, and the tale of the 12 animals that represent the divisions.
This educational resource book tells a different, imaginative story as the title suggests.
The animals characters in this version are mainly the same – rat through to pig – but with additions. The setting is a farm, location unspecified. It’s home for most of the animals (cow, horse, pig etc.), but with some effort the others are made to fit in (tiger, monkey and a flying fire-breathing dragon).
The story of each animal character, Robbie the rooster, Harry the horse, etc., is followed by several pages of educational content teaching literary devices such onomatopoeia, simile, vocabulary as well as introduction to new words, and exercises to increase understanding of the story.
The strong point of this 110 page book is in this educational content. An answer section for each of the sets of exercises is included at the end.
As for the narrative – it is better not to be too attached to the original story or stories of the selected animals. In this new modernized version there’s no mention of the Jade Emperor or the Buddha, or the classic race. And gendering of the animals means the yin-yang balance has been lost.
Though the introduction says, rightly, that there is a set order in which they arrive, on the same page the pictures of the twelve animals are in a different order, as they also appear on the back cover.
But what of the 13th animal – the cat of the title? Well, that’s a story you can read for yourself.
Less understandable, is the inclusion of an epilogue that introduces a newspaper-reading panda.
There has been good work put into the exercises that support each of the 14 sections, and it will be for the educational content that this book may find its way into classrooms.

Review by Jacqui Lynne

Title: The 13th Animal – Why Taffy the Cat Missed Out
Author: Vaughan Rapatahana & Pauline Canlas Wu
Publisher: User Friendly Resources
ISBN: 978-995143241
RRP: $24.99 for printed book or pdf. $36.99 for both printed book and pdf.
Available: https://userfriendlyresources.co.nz/product/taffy-the-cat/?v=32b7e9b49210

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Cautionary tale for new chums and impetuous volunteers

18/2/2022

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The Fundraiser: The Good, the Bad and the Stupid
by C. C. Johannes Peet

The Fundraiser should be compulsory reading for everyone who has recently moved to a new town – especially if it is, as in this case, a fairly small locality where all the old timers know each other.
It’s easy enough to relate to Hans Peet’s story. The newcomer goes to a public meeting. In this case, it’s for a sports centre, but it could just as easily be for the Scouts, the Coast Guard, the Squash Club, the Museum… they all need to raise funds. The newcomer, still bursting with the energy that he (or she) needed in their old life in the city, finds the meeting dull. Instead of leaving the meeting, in a rash moment of exasperation, he puts up a hand and volunteers to run a fundraiser surf casting competition – something he has never done before! His life is about to change for ever.
What follows is compelling reading – and this is a true story. The newcomer has to prove to himself and the town that he can do it and do it better than everyone expects. Some of the locals are supportive, encouraging the fundraiser every step of the way and warning him of possible hitches. Others couldn’t be more obstructive, some sulk, others prophesy failure and others go out of their way to jeopardise the event. The fundraiser has to deal with personalities that he never expected to encounter as well as keeping up with his to do list. Even Mother Nature has a role.
The newcomer digs deep, calling in some favours, chasing up contacts, finding inner resources he didn’t even know he had. The book could be subtitled “How to organise a fundraising event”. Everything the reader learns about organising a surf casting competition can be transferred to any fundraising venture. Peet’s experience is a massive learning curve and with the event drawing nearer and nearer, the reader will want him to succeed. But will he? And will he succeed the following year? Will there be high fives or wounds to lick, or both?
Peet writes in a chatty style but the dynamics of a small-town community is exposed in sharp and witty clarity.
By way of a disclaimer, Peet states that most of the names in this story – presumably of the bad and the stupid – have been changed. I certainly hope so as otherwise Peet will definitely be a marked man.

Review by Carolyn McKenzie

Title: The Fundraiser: The Good, the Bad and the Stupid
Author: C. C. Johannes Peet
Publisher: DIY Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 978-0-473-57701-8
RRP: paperback $20 incl. post in NZ via ccjpeet@xtra.co.nz
Available: Author or Amazon for paperback & ebook

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Book has appeal to teenage girls

11/2/2022

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Call me Madeleine
by Kate S Richards

As is typical of Richards’ prior 3 books, “Call me Madeleine” has a lot of drama and is a coming of age story.
This Cli-fi (Climate change fiction) story is set in the near future within New Zealand and is written from the title character’s point of view.
Madeleine, a feisty 17-year-old, lives with her two professional parents. At school, she has a university age boyfriend, Liam, and two close friends, Mia and Tui. Madeleine’s frequent outbursts, obsession with texts and over the top reactions are typical for the age, and relatable.
Grief is explored. Madeleine’s grandmother has recently died from a deadly virus during one of repeated pandemics. We see how Madeleine, her mother and grandfather deal with the loss. There is also public intergenerational conflict with her grandfather, who doesn’t believe in climate change.
Madeleine is anxious about the increasing frequency of major storms, fires and floods, but only Tui shares her passion to raise awareness.  She and Tui skip school to attend a climate march which makes it feel very real and relevant.
Liam is her first love and the romantic feelings Madeleine experiences are beautifully portrayed. There is understated conflict between Madeleine’s love for Liam versus his values (he won’t drive an e-car) versus her parents’ disapproval of him. There is also conflict between Madeleine and Mia, who secretly adores Liam and  throws herself at him at the party, the betrayal wounding Madeleine.
She reconnects with a childhood friend, Christopher, who is also passionate about climate change, and who provides her with emotional support and moral guidance. Christopher’s family is deeply religious and his life is portrayed as pure, wholesome and honest. It didn’t quite ring true to me that Christopher would refer to himself as having a strong moral compass. However, Madeleine feels something spiritual arise to guide her. She speaks eloquently of the existentialist concern for our planet that is typical of the current Generation Z.
A strong theme of the book is resilience in the face of a series of disasters. A coastal flood, landslide and fire threaten lives in the local community, including Madeleine’s. Faith, science and a strong connection to the planet and each other provide the bedrock for recovery.  The New Zealand landscape and Māori culture are lovingly described. These descriptions are a major strength of the book, portraying this country’s landscape and identity very well.
During a cyclone, Christopher helps rescue residents from a flooded retirement home. He feels vindicated that the cyclone stopped a developer from draining the wetland and building another retirement home. The Government Conservation Department (incorrectly referred to as GDC) eventually buys the abandoned land and he sets about replanting it in indigenous species.
Differences between science and religion are resolved as Chris believes God invented science. There are lovely descriptions of the birdlife and a glossary of all Māori terms.
Overall, the book is beautifully written, easy to read and would appeal to teenage girls. My only little niggle is inconsistencies with the characters due to its proselytising narrative. As is also typical of Richard’s other books, there is a strong underlying Christian religious theme.

Review by Bee Greenfield

Title: Call me Madeleine
Author: Kate S Richards
Publisher: Green Room House
ISBN: 978-0473600938
RRP: $29.99
Available: from the author (www.katesrichards.com), or online retailers, some bookshops

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Quirky idea in a classroom pair

4/2/2022

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Hokē te Whanokē Bod the Odd
by Vaughan Rapatahana; with illustrator Pauline Canlas Wu

One book or two books – there’s a choice here.
Read it in Te Reo as Hokē te Whanokē. Or in English as Bod the Odd
This pair of short books – they’re only 13 pages each – are similar in all but the choice of language.
The text is simple and on each page there’s a full-colour picture that illustrates the quirky idea of Bod/Hokē, an odd creature with even odder habits.
They are written and designed as educational resources
for children from about 7 years up, to be used in classrooms –
the story text followed by Bod the Odd Exercises to prompt comprehension,
group learning, and discussion.

Review by Jacqui Lynne

Title: Hokē te Whanokē & Bod the Odd
Author: Vaughan Rapatahana; illustrator Pauline Canlas Wu
Publisher: User Friendly Resources
ISBN: Hokē te Whanokē 9780995143234; Odd the Bod 9780995143227
RRP: $24.99 each, $36.99 for the combo
Available: https://userfriendlyresources.co.nz

Comments

Good work on educational content

Cautionary tale for new chums and impetuous volunteers

Book has appeal to teenage girls

Quirky idea in a classroom pair

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