Robyn Kahukiwa

This new, beautifully illustrated book by Robyn Kahukiwa is a great introduction to the main Maori gods. Each god is given one or two spreads with illustrations and a very short description of their powers and/or sphere of influence. The Maori words that are used are translated at the bottom of the page. This book would be an excellent companion to books of Maori myths but can also be enjoyed as a stand-alone book.
Robyn's art is always beautiful but she has surpassed herself in this book. The gods are reminiscent of Maori carvings but Robyn has released them from the wood and brought them to life.
"Aotearoa is home to many marvelous gods.
They are special.
They are unique.
They are awesome."
Robyn's book will help us all to become more familiar with "Nga Atua Maori o Aotearoa: the Maori supernatural beings of New Zealand."… (més)

Review from Google Books:
Long ago, Matatuhi, a fabulous weaver and a woman with special powers, dreams of making a special cloak, and of encountering a young girl with fair hair and green eyes. Many years later, in modern times, a girl named Mata is adopted by Pakeha parents. She has fair hair, but brown skin.
On a class visit to an ancient meeting house at a museum one day, Mata is entranced by a beautiful cloak, and a carved woman figure with a moko chin tattoo who seems to speak to her. Later, she dreams of feathered cloaks and an old Maori woman with a moko. Mata s life is now changed. She is taken to meet her Maori family, and she reclaims her original Maori name Matatuhi. Soon she even finds an old kuia who is happy to teach her to weave her goal is a beautiful cloak, like that of her kuia, Matatuhi.… (més)