Monsters, tribes and a castle in the backyard

While children are glued to screens playing generic games of fictional heroes and villains, right around them is a history that is filled with real stories relating directly to who they are and where they live.

That was the realisation that drove Malcolm Paterson and his fellow alumni of the Committee for Auckland’s Young Leaders programme to create Sharing Our Stories, a series of picture books that bring to life the landscape of the city for readers in the 8–12 age group.

Over the past year, our books editor Carolyn Lagahetau has worked closely with Malcolm, illustrator Leah Mulgrew and the other Sharing Our Stories team to bring the first book to publication.

The Castle in our Backyard follows cousins Tui and Jennifer as they discover the castle near their place – Maungkiekie or One Tree Hill, in its day home to the goddess of fire, a Māori fortress, Chinese gardens, and the estate of Sir John Logan Campbell. It’s an engaging story that manages to include plenty of information and activities for kids on this voyage of discovery.

A first book for all involved, The Castle in our Backyard is also one those increasing rarities these days, a book published simultaneously in English and Māori. Te Pā Kaha kei tō tatōu Iāri, the Māori edition, will be launched along with the English at the end of July to coincide with Maori Language Week.

The Castle in our Backyard (978-1-877514-05-0)

Te Pā Kaha kei tō tatōu Iāri (978-1-877514-10-4)

Malcolm Paterson, illustrated by Leah Mulgrew

Published by Libro International, July 2010

Price: $19.99

284 x 208 mm portrait, PB, 32 pp, colour

For orders, contact our distributors:

Publishers Distribution Limited

Attn: Customer Services

Tel: 09 828 2999 Fax: 09 828 2399

E: orders@pubdist.co.nz

The Castle in Our Backyard

The first release from Libro International is about to go to the printer. The Castle in Our Backyard comes from the talented group of young people behind Sharing Our Stories, a concept to teach younger readers about the history and geography of the landscapes they inhabit, showing that their immediate environment has as much drama and excitement as video games or TV. Written by Sharing Our Stories member Malcolm Paterson and illustrated by Leah Mulgrew, this engaging story for primary and intermediate age readers will be released in English and Maori editions in mid-June, at the time of the Matariki festival. Watch this space for more detail.

Sales Points:

• Simultaneous release in both English and Māori to coincide with Matariki
• Excellent educational resource and an entertaining read for 8-12 year-olds
• Examines environment and history through a modern storyline
• Beautiful edition with full colour illustrations
• First in innovative series from Sharing Our Stories venture

The Book:

Tui and his cousin Jennifer are much too busy playing a video game to want to visit Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill. But then Nanny Marei tells them the mountain’s got giants and fortresses, just like their game!

Explore Maungakiekie with Tui and Jennifer as they travel back into its history – meeting the Goddess of Fire, Māori tribes, Chinese gardeners, Sir John Logan Campbell, and the tourists of today.

The Authors:

Malcolm Paterson belongs to Ngāti Whātua of Tāmaki and the Kaipara, and represents his iwi in heritage and environmental issues. He is a qualified medical doctor and holds an M.Sc. in environmental management. He has contributed to various publications; The Castle in our Backyard is his first book.

Leah Mulgrew grew up in Karekare and studied painting at the Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland. After graduating in 2003 with a B.FA., she has lived and exhibited in the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Publicity:

• Promotion through iwi radio, community newspapers, schools, kura and children’s literature networks
• Giveaway of framed artwork to lucky reader
• Malcolm Paterson is available for interviews on 021 2533930, malcolmpaterson@gmail.com