Cousins Pipi and Pou are just like any kiwi kids – in most ways. They tease each other, laugh together and love a good adventure. Pipi loves to sing and is very competitive, and Pou is a skilled rugby player and loves swimming.

But they are very different in one important way. They are shape shifters!

Pipi will run and cry out,

“Pouākai, haere mai!” 

and transform into a giant eagle, a Pouākai, soaring into the sky.

Pou becomes mighty at the cry of,

“Taniwha, kia kaha!” 

morphing into a fierce taniwha on the spot.

These two children along with their Nana care for and protect the natural world of Aotearoa.

In this next adventure, there is a storm brewing. Nan calls Pipi and Pou to travel into the forest with her. Pou would rather stay warm and dry, reading his book inside. Still, they know they have a job to do, and Nan can feel something is wrong.

The cousins follow their Kuia and Tohunga, knowing she is an important guardian for nature. Something must be up. Sure enough, after following a bird’s warning, Nana finds a river in trouble. Something deep under the water is unhappy and soon they all know why.

This awa (river) needs their help.

What a fantastic new junior chapter book series for kiwi kids! Main characters Pou and Pipi are funny, clever and brave. They love their no-nonsense but loving Nan and respect her knowledge, but are cheeky with her too. These three characters are introduced at the beginning of the book, explaining their shapeshifting selves, or experience and wisdom.

Te reo is effortlessly woven within this adventure story allowing the reader to absorb new Māori language alongside everyday meanings. With clear text and generous spacing, any reluctant reader will be keen to join these cousins in their Kaitiaki missions.

Pipi and Pou and the River Monster is Monster-meets-Modern as social media also comes to the river’s aid via an unexpected visitor. Responsibility for our waste is a strong theme in this episode.

If you enjoyed the story, there is the first chapter of the next episode in the back of the book – Pipi and Pou and the Raging Mountain.

This series can be read in any order.

Author – Tim Tipene

Illustrator – Isobel Te Aho-White

Age – 7+

Read a review for another book in this series (Click on a Cover)

(2022, OneTree House, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Action, Kaitiaki, Guardian, Mokopuna, Taonga, Kui, Grandmother, Māori, Environment, Awa, River, Eel, Monster, Rubbish, Clean up, Responsibility, Series, Cousins, Family, Respect, Humour, Cheeky, Secret, Action)