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
