The Wild and Windy Stars of Matariki by Miriama Kamo

A lot of tourists visit Te Mata Hāpuku (Birdlings Flat) in search of beautiful agate stones. But not everyone is attuned to the magic there. Sam and Te Rerehua love to visit with Grandma and Pōua to go eeling, but one night, those sneaky patupaiarehe are up to no good. This time, Sam is in danger.

The latest to author Miriam Kamo's Matariki series, this fourth book focuses on Waipunarangi, who looks after the rain, and Ururangi, the whetū of wind. 

Kamo really draws on the elements, crafting a story that is both entertaining and educational. There's plenty of action and drama, alongside traditional knowledge and a lovely generational relationship.

Kamo seamlessly integrates te reo Māori into the story, with the context making the meaning clear. For readers learning te reo Māori, there are non-intrusive translations included at the bottom of each page. Kamo models a lovely way for whānau to slowly add more and more reo into their everyday life. For more confident users of the reo, Ko Ngā Whetū Hauhau, Ko Ngā Whetū Tarakaka o Matariki is available as a reo version. Translated by Ariana Stevens it will be a treasured resource. It will be a nice step up and realistic challenge for some learners - Stevens helpfully includes some of the less common reo at the back in a rārangi kupu (glossary).

Illustrator Zak Waipara brings the wild environment to life with bold, stylised artwork. There's so much movement and energy within Waipara's illustrations. As a collection, the books each have a colour palette, which is a lovely subtle touch.

The Wild and Windy Stars of Matariki is another great story that will help grow the reader's knowledge and understanding of each of the stars that make up Matariki. I can't wait to see what adventure Te Rerehua and Sam - and the patupaiarehe - get up to next.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Scholastic