Humble Bumble by Miriama Kamo

Humble Bumble takes credit for all her friends' hard work in collecting pollen. But one day she takes it a step too far, trying to claim a whole field of flowers for herself. Pī Kuīni, the Queen Bee, delivers Humble a lesson in humility and kotahitanga.

This is a sweet little story, with a strong message. Author Miriama Kamo pitches her prose perfectly to the intended audience. Kamo delivers her message gently and empathetically, taking younger readers by the hand to explore pride and boastfulness, friendship and the benefits of working together.

It's a bit of a departure from Kamo's previous children's books. In the past she's focused on Matariki, both fiction and non-fiction. However, her trademark passion for te ao Māori shines through again.

I love that kupu Māori are used naturally throughout the story - there's whakataukī, kupu and names on each page. The translations are included in the page on the first instance, and there's also a glossary inside the back cover to expand on your learning. There's also a reo Māori edition, Te Pī Māhaki, available.

Illustrator Craig Phillips has created a cute cast of characters, with each pī bursting with personality and charm. A soft pastel palette brings a calming quality to each page alongside beautiful blooms. Little ones especially will be enraptured by Phillips' artwork.

A page buzzing with facts on bumblebees extends readers further. Combined with the message of the story, this makes the book a fantastic resource for any early childhood or primary school setting.

This is a sweet book with a gentle and important message for our younger generation. With the lovely addition of te reo Māori and dreamy illustrations, it is bound to bee-witch the reader.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Scholastic