Hector’s family are going on holiday. They are going to meet his cousins the Maui dolphins. He’s never met them before and his mum reminds him to be nice to his little cousin Mini.

Hector is used to being the smallest, so is not sure whether to believe his parents about someone smaller.

When they finally arrive in his cousin’s bay, they are swept up by family. His parents were right. Mini Maui is even smaller than him. Her friends call her Popoto, so Hector soon does too.

Used to usually being smaller than everyone he knows, he revels in the chance to show off. He can dance, spin, and blow bubbles better than Popoto. She tries to keep up, but he just becomes more bossy as he realises he can beat her at everything.

Popoto has finally had enough, and jabs Hector hard. His mum is nearby to referee the cousins and point out to Hector his bossiness and need to be in charge. Maui and Hector soon heal the hurt after a grumble or two, and they are back being new found cousins again.

This new episode in this Hector the Dolphin Series highlights their smaller and rarer cousins, the Maui Dolphin. It also portrays the rivalry that can spring up between newly met cousins getting to know each other whether dolphin or person. Hector is suddenly not the smallest any more and is keen to put that to good use, not realising how rude and hurtful he is being.

The back cover shares facts about the Maui Dolphin. $1 from every copy of Little Hector meets Mini Maui sold, is donated to the NZ Whale and Dolphin Trust.

Author / Illustrator – Ruth Paul

Picture Book

Download Little Hector’s Beach Clean-up pack here

(NZ, New Zealand, Family, Cousins, Fitting in, Belonging, Holiday, Bossy, Friendship, Getting along, Conservation)