Rahui

By Chris Szekely
Illustrated by Malcolm Ross
Huia Publishers, 2011
Hardback $20

This is a touching story about cousins who holiday in a rural M?ori community. They have lots of adventures and fun together swimming at the beach, riding horses, catching fish and eels. But then one of the cousins, Thomas, drowns. They have a tangi for him and a r?hui is put on the beach – they can’t play or swim there, or eat seafood from the beach for a year. On the anniversary a headstone for Thomas is unveiled, and at last they can return to enjoying the beach, but always keeping Thomas in their hearts. The story is told very simply, but the illustrations are beautifully painted, adding great depth of feeling. Available in English and te reo M?ori. Age six plus.