Pani and Waima aren’t happy with Dad’s new idea. He has taken an axe to the tree behind their house, wanting to chop it down.

“What did that tree ever do to you?”

Dad believes they will have a better view without the tree in the way, but his children believe the tree IS the view.

Dad continues to swing the axe despite the native birds gazing down at them from the branches. Finally, the tree falls to the ground and Dad decides he’s done enough work for the day.

There is a surprise waiting for them all the next morning. The very tree Dad chopped down is standing just as it did the day before. Dad can’t believe it, gazing up and scratching his head.

“But how?”

Pani tells them of a myth about a Māori warrior who once cut down a tree for a waka taua. Dad shakes his head and returns with a chainsaw…

Again, the tree has other ideas.

A modern retelling of the classic pūrākau (legend), Rātā and the tree.

Just as it was when it was first told, the importance of Nature and our relationship with it, is the key theme of this picture book/legend.

It is Nature that repairs this tree, determined to let it stand. Man may have the sharp blades but Nature is the stronger force, and a Dad and his children experience the magic of its power.

Told in both Māori and English, this bilingual picture book is perfect for any school or home library. The birds, insects and spiders that feature in the story are shared at the bottom of pages, also in bilingual format.

I particularly liked the way Nature became stronger with each rebuilding of the tree, both in force and within the stunning illustration style.

Author – Tim Tipene

Illustrator – Ani Huia Ligaliga

Picture Book

Find more reviews of Tim Tipene books here

(2024, Oratia Books, Bilingual, English/Māori, Trees, Axe, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Family, Determination, Myth, Legend, Nature, Cut down, Rātā and the Tree, Insects, Birds)