Pipi and Pou are surprised by their Nana when she wakes from a dream. She’s received another call for help from a beach somewhere in Aotearoa.
“So which beach are we heading to, Nana?’ Pipi asked…”
“I’ll know it when we get there,” she answered.
Nana’s special car Betsy gets them where they need to be, but looking out at the ocean from a beach, Nana is unsure at first. It’s not until they have rowed far out from the sand that something below grabs their anchor and swiftly pulls them far out to sea.
All three kaitiaki (guardians of the natural world) are a little worried, but the cousin’s shapeshifting skills soon solve the mystery. A creature far below them has a problem for them to solve.
Together with the creatures of the sea, above and below; Pipi, Pou and Nana work together to help clean up and protect the ocean. They return to land with a powerful message for people about their rubbish and responsibilities.
Staying anonymous is a worry, but turns out to be a funny way to finish their amazing day.
Another thrilling adventure for these shape shifting, super-hero cousins, and their amazing Nana!
Pipi and Pou and the Shadow Below has an intriguing beginning for both characters and reader. A dream brings the problem in this episode, which has never happened before.
Tension rises as an unknown creature has hold of them on the ocean, far from land. The absolute wonder and awe as this animal reveals itself is shared between cousins and readers. Once again, the cousins use their super-hero transitions into giant eagle and taniwha to help solve the problem they have been asked to help solve.
Even as these mighty creatures, their fun rivalry still exists adding humour and authenticity to the story. Their relationship with their grandmother is one of respect and love, but their cheeky natures sparkle through too, especially at the end of this episode.
The Natural World in danger is portrayed in different ways through every episode in this chapter book series. Pipi and Pou and the Shadow Below alerts young readers to the rubbish that is ending up in our oceans, from household plastic and discarded fishing nets, to entire boats discarded. The creatures affected in each story are who request the kaitiaki’s help – bringing environmental problems to readers in exciting, captivating and fantastical adventures.
Te reo is spoken throughout the stories, always in context for easy understanding, and backed up with a glossary at the end of the story. The illustrations in this episode are some of my favourites for the whole series.
Kiwi stories for Kiwi kids – but perfect to share around the world.
Author – Tim Tipene
Illustrator – Isobel Te Aho-White
Publisher – OneTree House
Age – 6+
Find more books in the series here
Find more books by Tim Tipene here
Find more books illustrated by Isobel Te Aho-White here
(2025, OneTree House, Aotearoa, New Zealand, NZ, Series, Family, Te reo, Ocean, Sea, Rubbish Island, Plastic Pollution, Seabirds, Sealife, Fish, Sting Rays, Cooperation, Return the rubbish, Working together, Tangaroa, Kaitiaki, Guardians, Cousins, Grandmother, Nana, Animals, Adventure, Natural World, Environment, Fantasy, Superheroes)