What’s the Matter with the Sea?
Rita Sørly
Illustrated by Malgorzata Piotrowska
Māori translation by Kanapu Rangitauira
Lule Sámi translation by Are Tjihkkom
English translation by Maria Nayr de Pinho Correia Ibrahim and Charlotta Maria Langejan
Alerted to the unusual appearance of a rare whale in the north of Norway, Māori marine biologists Aihe and Whina set out from Otago to track its path and find out what is going wrong with the world’s oceans.
In a world first, this unique picture book is trilingual in Māori, the endangered Lule Sámi language, and English (which acts like subtitles, secondary to the indigenous languages).
It centres the connection between the Sámi peoples of Norway and Māori, while telling a thoughtful story that highlights the need to care for our marine environment.
The international coedition with Sámi publisher Davvi Girji was launched at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair on 13 April 2026, as reported in the prestigious Publishing Perspectives magazine.
The launch included a recorded reading by te reo translator Kanapu Rangitauira and his whānau.
Alongside promotion by Davvi Girji, Nord University in Norway and the Norwegian book agency NORLA, Oratia Books is delighted to preview the book’s release on UN World Oceans Day, 8 June.
He Aha te Raru ki Tai? What's the Matter with the Sea? Mij le ábijn dáhpáduvvamin? is on sale at good booksellers from 11 June.
The author, illustrator and translators
Malgorzata Piotrowska is a Polish-Norwegian illustrator and author of children’s and adults’ books.
Kanapu Rangitauira (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Te Whakatōhea) is a translator and teacher of te reo Māori who has translated a number of children's books for Oratia.
Lule Sámi translation by Are Tjihkkom; English translation by Maria Nayr Correia Ibrahim & Charlotta Maria Langejan.
Some of the team behind the book at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, April 2026
Publication Date: 11 June 2026 | ISBN: 9781991353016 | RRP $29.00
Hardback, 230 x 230 mm, 48 pages, colour
