Rāhui an exceptional new children’s book

13 October 2011

‘It blew me away then and it blows me away now. It is quite breath-taking to look at…’. I’m so impressed by this book, it is a celebration of our bi-cultural country…’ John McIntyre, Wellington Children’s Bookshop (Book Review, RNZ Nine to Noon).

Rāhui is the exceptional new children’s book by Huia Publishers told through the eyes of children.

From a story by Chris Szekely and beautifully illustrated by Malcolm Ross (1948 – 2003), Rāhui takes the reader on a wonderful journey to a cousin’s holiday in a rural Māori community having adventures and fun together – playing in the bush, riding horses, fishing, eeling and swimming at the beach.

However, ‘one day, when we were swimming, my cousin Thomas went missing. We thought he had gone home.’

And so, during the holiday, a death leads to a rāhui being placed on the beach. The book is at once joyous and wistful, with the illustrations richly evoking the atmosphere of the setting and people. Published as a hardback in both Māori and English editions, Rahui is available at all good bookstores and retails for $20.00.

About the Author and Illustrator
Chris Szekely was appointed the Chief Librarian of the Alexander Turnbull Library in 2007 – the first Maori to have held the position. Chris was previously City Librarian at the Manukau City Council, where he headed one of the largest and fastest growing public library services in New Zealand. He was also instrumental in setting up Te Rōpū Whakahau, the professional association of Māori librarians.

Malcolm Ross (1948–2003) gained a Diploma in Fine Arts in painting and a Diploma in Fine Arts with Honours in sculpture, and he had wide-ranging interests in New Zealand history, art and culture.

ENDS

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