Pō Mārie, My Moko by Casey Kaa and Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

A kuia and her mokopuna prepare for bed, guided by atua, ancestors and the rhythms of te ao Māori. From the maunga and ngahere, to the awa and moana, author Casey Kaa (Ngāpuhi, Tainui) weaves calm breathing and reassurance into a soothing night-time ritual.

Celebrating whakapapa, kaitiakitanga and connection to the natural world, the story closes with a reminder that every child is a precious taonga. It's an important book, building our moko up, shaping and cementing their identity and sense of belonging.

Pairing the story with illustrator Izzy Joy Te Aho-White (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kahungungu ki te Wairoa) is perfection. The shared vision and tone shines, with both words and art in perfect harmony creating a flawless book. Te Aho-White's artwork builds on the emotional depth of the story and her passion for the natural world and te ao Māori highlights the unspoken. With a calming colour palette and gentle tones, this is a book built for snuggling up together.

A simple glossary is embedded across each page as needed, ensuring the flow of the story continues.

Pō Mārie, My Moko is a stunning book. It is one I wish was available when my babies were young and the one that will be my standard gift to all new pēpi.

Reviewer: Rebekah Fraser

Scholastic