With the recent Earth Day celebrated in different parts of the world I thought I would share something of my countries native wildlife. Hence this book review…
“Kiri the Kereru”
Author: Janet Martin
Illustrated by: Ivar Treskon
Published by: Jampot Productions Ltd, Titirangi, Auckland, New Zealand
Pages: 24
Ages: 5 – 9 years
Theme: Sharing, Friendship, limitations
Opening Lines: Kiri the Kereru loves eating all day. She just will not stop, although why she can’t say. Her feathered white chest is so lovely and plump, she hops through the trees with a rustle and thump.
Synopsis: From the back of the book… “Kiri the Kereru loved feasting on sweet juicy berries. The only trouble was, she didn’t know when to stop. Then one day a cat, a boy and a dog made Kiri pause and think about her hungry habit.”
Note from inside the first page: “Well known and loved native forest bird of New Zealand, also known as the kuku, kukupa and woodpigeon. Being a large heavy bird the kereru is often heard before it is seen, whoosing overhead then crash landing in the trees. Once commonly hunted by humans for food and now a protected threatened species, the kereru is at risk from predators such as possums, rats, stoats and cats. Its favourite food is delicious berries from
New Zealand native trees, and it sometimes eats so much that it cannot fly.
Why I like this: Janet’s clear bold text in easy delightful rhyme teaches us about sharing and the consequences that can happen if you don’t. Children will delight in the bright colourful illustrations and Kiri’s eyes convey such hilarious expressions.
An excellent picture book for every school, with teachings about the native New Zealand Pigeon, it’s quirky habits, and a great way to enter discussions on sharing, eating habits and bird life.
Resources/Findings: I came across a beautiful website owned by Janet Martin herself, called the Jampot Productions Ltd. All Janet’s stories created are inspired by her surroundings in the lush growth in her backyard and the Waitakere Ranges where she lives, which is not very far from me (5 minute drive). I have mentioned these ranges in a couple of posts earlier on see Aotearoa in my sidebar. Here is her website http://www.jampotbooks.com/ where you will enjoy soft birdlike music, videos of bird life, and her many other wildlife books, take a look around and enjoy the beautiful ranges of which I live in the shadow of. There are many nature walks here. Maybe the children in your area would enjoy a nature walk and discover the many varieties of bird life.
http://www.nzartcards.com/artists/jampot-productions-ltd/ this is another website showing the beautiful illustrations from Janet’s books by Ivar Treskon.
http://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/birdsartscraftsideaskids.html a great resource in making bird crafts.
http://www.ivartreskon.com/index.cfm?page=1 an interesting insight into this resourceful illustrator, enjoy.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
This looks like a great book, Diane – so colorful and on such an important subject. Thanks so much for adding it to our list!
Your welcome Susanna, and thanks for adding it. Yes it is such a colourful book and I enjoyed Janet’s website.
I never heard of that bird when I lived there, how bright and beautiful!
LOL… Catherine you would have seen them if you wandered near any forests, we would have just called them pigeons. Sometimes we have no idea of how beautiful our wildlife is. Thankyou for commenting.
That cover is so inviting – and I am a berry lover too. I hope I can get this through my library!
I hope you can to Julie. Glad you like it and the berries…lol. Don’t eat too much!
The cover grabbed my attention Diane. Love your sharing native books. It is true, it eats so much it can’t fly — wow! All I could think of next was, watch out from above! Won’t go any further with my imagination. Nice choice for our PPB library.
LOL…. your comment cracked me up, I so laughed out loud. Believe me, there have been many a time I have ducked expecting the worse from Sea gulls and pigeons flying overhead….*giggles* So glad you loved this post Pat and thankyou very much.
What beautiful rhyme, perfect for Poetry Month!
Isn’t it! All through the book it is beautifully rhymed Thankyou for being here and enjoy!
My son really liked this review. He likes birds. We’ll visit the website to read more.
Oh cool, glad your son loved this. You can tell him the one thing I was really, really good at drawing when I was in 1st grade was swans. ( I carved one big one into my desk which my brothers saw when they started school after me. I was lucky I didn’t get detention for it.) If you scroll down the artist helping children website on the righthand side you will see all the great paper models of birds to make and how tos’ Enjoy Stacy.
I so appreciate the way you choose books that teach about New Zealand, Diane. Like Pat, I’m particularly amazed by the fact that sometimes it eats so much it can’t fly! (And I’m giggling at Pat…)
I am pleased you like my choice of books on New Zealand Beth. LOL… there is a picture inside of the poor pigeon crashlanding into the field and being rescued by a dog and boy, before the cat reached him.
I to laughed at Pat’s comment. Immagination is a great thing….lol.
This sounds like a wonderful little book that teaches about an animal from another part of the world. I think kids in Canada would just love it!
Thankyou Darlene, so glad you liked this choice. In Canada! Amazing!
This book sounds just gorgeous, and I am quite certain I would learn a ton by reading it. Thanks for the recommendation, Diane!
Your very welcome Amy and thankyou. Hope you find it enjoyable!
The book cover looks so colorful and glorious! Looks like a visual feast if the cover is any indication. Thank you for sharing this book for PPBF this week.
Oh yes it is a feast for the eyes Myra. So glad you popped over.
What a cool concept for the story… I want to read it now:)
Helllllooooo! Nice to see you here. Loved your pics btw. Yes great little story and beautiful illustrations, hope you can find a copy.
WOW – the illustrations in this book are awesome (I check out the link 😉 ). I think it teaches a good message that a lot of kids could learn. I’m going to see if our library has it (or can get it)!
Cool! Glad you liked the book Erik! I think you will love the illustrations in this one.
Thank you, Diane! So many parents stress out with their kids about eating…maybe this book would be helpful AND fun to read. Great resource and activity list also.:) It’s super cool to have books that engage and inform us about other places…I truly feel that picture books are the window on the world for children!
Definately agree with you there, that picture books are the window on the world for children. Glad you liked the choice, it will certainly help. Thanks Vivian do come again.