Debut picture book by Waikato author helps kids feel okay about diverse families

Tōku Whānau Rerehua – My Beautiful Family

Rauhina Cooper

Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Publishing in time for the annual Schools Pride Week, Tōku Whānau Rerehua tells of a young girl’s experience learning that all families come in all types, and all can be beautiful. 

 

‘How was school today, Huia,’ her mum asked. ‘It was okay … but our news topic is our family.’

Huia feels too shy to talk to her classmates because she has two mums. What will her friends think? 

 

Over the next days, she learns that some whānau have a step-parent   or one parent, and some children are adopted. So when it’s her turn to show her family photo, she doesn’t have to be shy.

 

“I want to show tamariki that there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ family structure and that whānau is whānau,” first-time author Rauhina Cooper says. 

 

“I’ve not yet seen a picture book that discusses this topic and thought there was a need for respecting our varied and diverse families.”

Written in te reo Māori and translated into English (te reo appears first on the pages), Rauhina’s story is beautifully illustrated by award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White. 

The author

Rauhina Cooper (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu) is a teacher and facilitator in kura supporting teachers in te reo Māori. She is passionate about the survival and use of te reo Māori. Rauhina lives in Ōhaupō. She was inspired to write the book by her own ‘blended’ whānau. 

The illustrator 

Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāti Kahungunu, Kai Tahu, UK, Denmark) is an  award-winning book illustrator. She is passionate about whānau, whakapapa and tikanga Māori. Izzy lives in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington. 

Publication: 2 June 2023  |  ISBN: 978-1-99-004238-6 | RRP $22.99

Paperback, 270 x 210 mm portrait, 32 pages, colour