A new take on classic Māui myth hits the bookshops today

How to tell a great traditional story in a way that can connect with young readers today in both Māori and English?

That was the challenge Oratia Books' Peter Dowling put to author Tim Tipene when explaining the concept for a series of books that would honour indigenous stories and languages in a modern context.

Tim’s response forms his tenth book, an imaginative retelling of Māui catching the sun – one of the great foundation myths of Māori culture.

In his version, Māui is a pre-teen who lives with his mum and four older brothers in a city where life is tough, in part because there’s never enough time in the day to get things done.

Māui – Sun Catcher follows Māui devsing a plan, driving with his brothers to the pit where the sun lives, and catching him in ropes of woven flax.

The trickster Māui, who speaks in rhyme, alternately charms and threatens the sun:

My ropes will slow you down.

You will drift across the sky

And people will see my ropes reaching down

Whenever you’re up high.

Bringing the text to life are vivid colour drawings by widely published illustrator and animator Zak Waipara, who has created a feel that is both contemporary and classic in this classy hardback.

The bilingual book features English and Māori in differently shaded type on each spread. Translations are by prominent musician and academic Rob Ruha.

Collaboration has been key to the series, Indigenous Voices – which has developed in part through creative input from a range of international publishers, including Mexican children’s book specialist Miriam Martinez and Oratia’s Editorial Director Carolyn Lagahetau.

So while it stands on its own and will be available across New Zealand, Māui – Sun Catcher is also a pilot for telling indigenous stories to readers worldwide.

Māui – Sun Catcher  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-14-8  |  RRP $24.99
Hardback, 270 x 210 mm, 32 pages colour

Rob Ruha

Tim Tipene

Zak Waipara

Remembering Dario Fo

Dario Fo – actor-playwright, comedian, singer, theatre director, stage designer, songwriter, painter, political campaigner and Nobel Prize winner – died on 13 October 2016 aged 90.

I was fortunate enough to meet him in 1989, when he was producing the play The Pope and the Witch at the Teatro dell'Arte in Milan, where my father Aldo and brother Marco worked. 

Thanks to my father I was able to sit discreetly in the back row of the theatre to watch the rehearsals, with Dario and his wife Franca Rame 'creating' the play, acting and directing it at the same time, tutoring and interacting with the numerous actors that surrounded them. 

Dario was a great man and a great writer too.

You can find a well written obituary in the Economist:

 http://www.economist.com/news/obituary/21708977-playwright-actor-artist-and-all-round-provocateur-was-90

And a more extensive one in the Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/oct/13/dario-fo-obituary

– Alessandra Zecchini

Milan: thousands attended the funeral of Dario Fo in Milan.
Photo courtesy of Marco Teatro

Photo courtesy of Marco Teatro

In review: Frankfurt Book Fair 2016

The New Zealand stand in Hall 6.0 at the Frankfurt Book Fair

The Frankfurt Book Fair remains the largest and busiest of the many book fairs that occur around the world annually. For many in the book publishing business, being at Frankfurt is the apex of their working year, none more so than literary agents and rights managers who battle it out to get their authors the best advances and print runs in overseas markets.

For New Zealand publishers the fair offers the chance to reconnect with colleagues and business partners from the seven seas. The collective stand organised by the Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) and assistance from Creative New Zealand make it possible for smaller publishers to promote their authors at the fair – which this year grouped nearly 7,000 exhibitors from over 100 nations.

This year Oratia was able to squeeze 35 meetings into the three professional days from Wednesday to Friday – with a bit of overflow on the Saturday (the fair opens to the public on the weekend). Those encounters included international print and ebook distributors, fellow publishers, literary agents and scouts, booksellers, journalists and printers.

Wearing my industry hat as PANZ international councillor, I joined in association meetings with the fair organisers, had exchanges with other book fairs including Guadalajara, London and Taipei, and helped to manage the impressive New Zealand stand.

Our stand in Hall 6.0, among other English-language publishers, is impressive not just for its visual impact and size, but also for the camaraderie that brings exhibiting publishers together.

Some of the NZ crew

The Friday evening party, with excellent Kiwi wines generously sponsored by the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin, is regarded as one of the book fair's premium social events. This year’s was no exception, attracting an estimated 300 guests from around the publishing world.

But it’s all in the follow-up, as Frankfurt veterans will tell you. Now begins the long haul of sending sample copies and PDFs, talking page lengths and print runs and prices, in the hope that our authors and illustrators can reach an international readership.

After Frankfurt, though, those fortunate enough to attend can all make those sorts of decisions better, having shared with our peers among hundreds of thousands of books. This year the fair’s total visitor numbers were slightly up on 2015, at 277,000, with trade visitor attendance up +1.3% to 142,300 – testament to the continuing buoyancy of the global book industry.

– Peter Dowling

At the New Zealand stand party: Linda Cassells of Calico Publishing with Annabel Robertson, Second Secretary of the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin

Sam Elworthy of AUP (left) and Rod Fee of Eunoia Publishing epitomise the NZ team spirit by serving at the bar (Photo: Anton Blank)

At the New Zealand party

Friends and exhibitors at the party

Around the international halls

RIP Len Gale

It is with sadness that we note the passing of artist, author, left-wing activist and teacher Len Gale on Saturday at the age of 89.

Len and I met in 1997 not long after his book Greenstone Carving was published. I had the privilege of becoming his editor at Reed Publishing, and we formed a strong friendship as we brought to publication three further books – Wood Carving, Creative Metal and Technology Basics. 

Len matched a deep knowledge of all these crafts with a rare ability to communicate them in words and his inimitable drawings. 

These were far from his only literary productions, too – until the end of his life he was writing about craft for magazines and publishing booklets about his family and his childhood in Grafton as one of the 'Gully Boys', and maintaining a link to the tense days when he had covertly printed pamphlets to support the 1951 Waterfront Lockout.

He led a colourful life, and one characterised by a generous concern for others. As a craftsman he was noted especially for his work in metal, and he gave back much to the communities of West Auckland and Ngaruawahia, assisting schools, marae and craft groups.

Len, you will be missed. I do hope that Oratia can carry through on our discussions to bring some of your books back into print before too long.

- Peter Dowling

Squeakopotamus about to make a huge entrance

Squeakopotamus will make a big impact on bookshelves from 6 October.

The giant pet, a perplexing cross between a hippopotamus and a mouse, is the latest creation from Thames-based author Dawn McMillan and Auckland illustrator Ross Kinnaird.

The pair have created some of New Zealand's most-loved and maddest picture books over the years, including Why Do Dogs Sniff Bottoms?, Woolly Wally, I Need a New Bum!  and Doctor Grundy's Undies.

Squeakopotamus tells the story of this oversized creature that comes to stay with a normal-sized family:
Is he a hippo that 
looks like a mouse?
Or is he a mouse
too big for this house? 

Squeakopotamus is a fun pet, but his size means that Mum wants him to go. How can the kids get him to stay?

On sale from tomorrow at good booksellers everywhere, Squeakopotamus (ISBN 978-0-947506-11-7) is a full-colour 32-page picture book suitable for readers aged four and over. 

12 Huia Birds takes flight tomorrow

A new book that celebrates the life and disappearance of one of New Zealand’s most distinctive birds hits the bookstores tomorrow.

12 Huia Birds uses gentle rhyme and striking imagery to track the bird’s story, counting down from 12 birds playing in the forest, through a steady decline caused by humans and pests, until the last huia flies off into the sky.

Writer and animator Julian Stokoe and illustrator Stacy Eyles originally created the story as an app for Yoozoo Books, aiming to could teach children the huia’s story and help them understand something of New Zealand’s delicate ecology.

The book subtly conveys an environmental message, and is a celebration rather than a lament – for as it concludes, huia birds are

alive and well

in paintings, songs

and stories we tell.

And although it has now vanished, the huia is by no means forgotten – witness a recent cameo appearance in the hit film Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

12 Huia Birds comes in a lovely hardback edition suitable for children of all ages.

            With orange cheeks and funny-shaped beaks

            They were a beautiful sight to be heard …

Author Julian Stokoe with his tribute to the huia

12 Huia Birds  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-12-4  |  RRP $24.99

Hardback, 270 x 210 mm, 32 pages colour

The Tunnel in Going West

Thanks to the Going West Books and Writers Festival for featuring Malcolm Paterson, author of The Tunnel in our Backyard, in the opening session today.

Malcolm on stage with son Davin

Malcolm, supported by his very well-behaved son Davin, told the audience the genesis of the Sharing our Stories books published by Oratia, and outlined some of the connections to local heritage and landscape that the book conveys.

The first book in the series, The Castle in our Backyard (2010), takes kids into the history of Maungakiekie/One Tree Hill, while The Tunnel in our Backyard (published this June) links to Owairaka/Mount Albert and localities in Te Atatū, Waterview and Point Chevalier.

A great morning for books in Titirangi

Going West continues throughout this weekend, offering up a cornucopia of words and ideas at the Titirangi War Memorial Hall.

Unity Books has books from Malcolm and the other featured writers and artists on sale at the festival.

Click on this link for more information about The Tunnel in our Backyard.

IBBY Congress celebrates the best of world children's books

It has been an amazing opportunity for supporters of children's reading and writing to have the 35th IBBY Congress here in New Zealand.

The congress of the International Board on Books for Young People brought the cream of international literacy experts, authors, illustrators, librarians, teachers and publishers to Auckland's Aotea Centre for a four-day event that concluded with the Storylines Family Day yesterday.

The New Zealand Publishers stand (above), which benefited
from the enthusiastic presence of IBBY volunteer
Coline Rouge (right)

Oratia was privileged to be a part of proceedings, taking our place alongside seven other publishers on the Publishers Association of New Zealand stand to showcase local books. A number of other publishers also had their own stands.

The congress gave an opportunity to meet with delegates from around the world, as well as the strong contingent of local children's books advocates.

A highlight for us was escorting renowned Brazilian illustrator Roger Mello on behalf of the congress organisers, and seeing Roger in a session on book illustration with Australian illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft and local illustrator Zak Waipara.

Top: Zak Waipara (right) with Bronwyn Bancroft
Below: an image from Māui - Sun Catcher

In his talk Zak featured imagery from our forthcoming publication Māui - Sun Catcher, a picture book retelling of the myth of Māui catching the sun, written by Tim Tipene.

Saturday evening's gala dinner included presentation of the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Awards, the most prestigious awards inchildren's literature.

Cao Wenxuan delivered a brilliant acceptance speech

China's Cao Wenxuan was present to receive the writer's award; Germany's Rotraut Susanne Berner, who was unable to attend, created a delightful video to acknowledge receipt of the illustrator's award.

Oratia publisher Peter Dowling (right) with legendary US educational publisher Kent Brown at the gala dinner

The congress has been a massive, largely voluntary undertaking by the New Zealand IBBY chapter, Storylines. It was great to see congress directors Libby Limbrick and Rosemary Tisdall receive due acknowledgement for their efforts - and to hear unanimous praise from the over 500 delegates.

MC Miriama Kamo (left) toasts congress directors Rosemary Tisdall (centre) and Dr Libby Limbrick

New edition of Te Arawa profiled in the Rotorua Daily Post

It's now a week until the launch of Te Arawa, our new edition of Don Stafford's classic history of the Arawa people of Rotorua and the central Bay of Plenty.

The launch at the Rotorua Museum will be presided over by Rotorua Mayor Steve Chadwick, with representatives of local iwi and Don's family among the distinguished guests.

Don, who passed away in 2010, was a much-loved and respected figure in Rotorua - as evidenced by an article in the Daily Post on Monday.

The article, which you can see via this link, conveys the sense of anticipation ahead of the book's release.

For more about Te Arawa, see the book's page on the Oratia website.

IBBY Congress brings the world of children's books to Auckland

One of the world's major gatherings for children's books, reading and writing is barely two weeks away from New Zealand shores.

The 35th IBBY International Congress - and the first ever in Oceania - takes place at Auckland's Aotea Centre from 18 - 21 August.

IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People, is a non-profit organisation that represents a global network of people committed to bringing books and children together.

The Congress features an impressive array of international speakers and over 500 delegates, including authors, illustrators, literacy specialists, academics and teachers.

Oratia is going to be there as an exhibitor alongside seven other New Zealand publishers, on the Publishers Association of New Zealand stand at the Aotea. 

We're looking forward to showing our children's books to the gathering, meeting with colleagues from around the world, and sharing in an exciting few days.

The Congress has been a major undertaking for the Storylines Children’s Literature Charitable Trust of New Zealand (the New Zealand section for IBBY), with organisation led by Libby Limbrick and Rosemary Tisdall.

More information is on the IBBY Congress 2016 website.

'The Children's Nobel'
A highlight of the Congress will be the awarding of the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Award, the children's literature equivalent of the Nobel Prize for Literature. 

This year, China's Cao Wenxuan is the winner of the Author Award, and Germany's Rotraut Susanne Berner receives the Illustrator Award.

Kura Toa stays the distance

The new Oratia Books edition of Tim Tipene's young adult novel Kura Toa Warrior School is out today.
The book was first published by Reed Books; in 2009 we reissued it under our Libro International imprint, and it has reprinted regularly ever since.

Tim's story of troubled high-school student Haki as he struggles to defend the rights of his tribe and grow into a warrior has really struck a chord with teenage readers. It's in demand as a set text in a number of high schools, as well as for general readers.

Long may Kura Toa remain available! For more detail, see the books page on the Oratia website.

Tim Tipene will be appearing the Storylines Northland Family Day in Kaitaia on Saturday 27 August; follow this link for more information.

Tim Tipene