Rongoā Māori shines through bilingual Nanny Mihi story

Nanny Mihi’s Medicine/Ngā Rongoā a Nanny Mihi

Melanie Drewery

Illustrated by Suzanne Simpson

Translated by Kanapu Rangitauira

Nanny Mihi returns in the third book of the popular series to teach rongoā Māori and connect her grandkids with nature

The upsurge in public interest in traditional Māori medicine (rongoā Māori) and her own lifestyle close to nature on the Nelson coast led author Melanie Drewery instinctively to the theme of her newest book in the Nanny Mihi series for children.

So when the grandchildren arrive for the school holidays with colds, Nanny leads them to the forest and garden to find remedies — kawakawa for tea, mānuka for the bath, koromiko for headaches, and cabbage tree leaves for cuts and scratches.

 

By the time they’re well, Nanny is tired and scratched from their foraging — and the kids know just what she needs!

A spread of information follows the story, giving details about the medicines growing around us. 

Nanny Mihi’s Medicine/Ngā Rongoā o Nanny Mihi features a new illustration style by Suzanne Simpson. It’s also the first in the series to be fully bilingual, with sparkling reo Māori text by Rotorua-based translator Kanapu Rangitauira. 

 

The authors

Melanie Drewery (Ngāti Mutunga) works as a potter and writer from her home in Mapua, Nelson. She is an established children’s writer with over 20 titles to her name, including Nanny Mihi and the Rainbow and Nanny Mihi and the Bellbird.

Suzanne Simpson is an artist who has illustrated numerous picture books and educational texts for children. She lives with her family in Titirangi, Auckland. 

Kanapu Rangitauira (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou, Te Whakatōhea) is a registered translator and teacher of te reo. He lives with his whānau in Rotoiti, Rotorua.

Publication: 15 June 2022  |  ISBN: 978-1-99-004211-9 | RRP $19.99

Paperback, 230 x 215 mm portrait, 32 pages, colour