In houses all across the country, Kiwi families have a collection of gumboots. Our love affair with the boots is celebrated in this new book by author June Pitman-Hayes.
Children often become obsessed with a new pair of shoes, and the child in this story is no exception. From a day on the farm to a trip into town, back home to the bath, and even bed, her Kiwi gumboots are right there.
My Kiwi Gumboots follows the same sort of format as her other book, Kia Ora, You Can Be A Kiwi Too. Both are formed as a song, featuring quintessential New Zealand with an accompanying CD inside the cover. It would have been nice to have a downloadable link as technology changes.
Ngaere Roberts has come aboard again as well, translating the lyrics into te reo Māori. The book features English in the first half, te reo Māori in the second. A glossary of Māori words is also helpfully included at the back of the book. The CD also features the song in both languages, as well as just the music.
Once again, Pitman-Hayes has teamed up with illustrator Minky Stapleton to create the book. Stapleton's vivid illustrations bring the book to life. Diverse characters stroll the streets and bright pops of yellow burst from each page. The illustrations are lively and full of energy, with plenty of flora and fauna to spot.
The powerful combination of a playful song matched with playful illustrations will have children and adults alike singing along in no time.
Reviewer: Rebekah Fraser
Scholastic, RRP $19.99