Wild Summer by Vasanti Unka

Who can resist the chance to spend a day outdoors, barefoot, free to explore and with joyful adventures to look forward to?

On a summer day, the door is open. Go!

Auckland-based Vasanti Unka is an award-winning writer, designer and illustrator. In her large and beautiful book, we follow a young child on a gentle journey through nature. They wander into a field, through the sand dunes down to the sea, and onwards to a welcoming forest with a “lush carpet underfoot and an umbrella of leaves”. The day is full of wonder and possibility.

Unka’s illustrations are calm and peaceful, focusing on Aotearoa’s landscape and the plants and creatures that we share it with. Even the endpapers are a delight – scattered with images of ferns and leaves, moths and butterflies, insects and birds. Look out for the small details that Unka captures as the adventure unfolds, such as the leaf entangled in the child’s hair, the smudges of mud on their clothing, and a tiny caterpillar nibbling on a kawa kawa leaf. I love her drawings of the birds, including the plump little miromiro (tomtit) perched up high, and the pīwakawaka (fantail) chattering to another bird nearby.

                High in branches, birds call.

They’re excited to see you, yet shy.

You say, ‘Sometimes I’m scared too!’

The storyline is simple, yet uplifting and affirming. Unka reminds us that “everyone’s stories are worth listening to.”

Wouldn’t we all love to fly, float, and learn the secrets of the sea? And then – as Unka’s final illustrations reveal – return safely, tucked in and settled down for a peaceful night’s sleep. A great book to share with a young child, especially one who loves exploring the bush, beach, and sea.

Reviewer: Anne Kerslake Hendricks

Bateman Books