The colours begin to show on the horizon as te Rā (the sun) wakes, rising to light up the sky.
Manu (birds) open their eyes, and sing their wake-up waiata (songs).
Ruru finds a quiet spot to rest after looking after the ngahere overnight – he closes his eyes to the ata (morning). Other birds are now awake, greeting each other for the brand new day.
Creatures below the treetops are up and about too; geckos basking on a rock, bees buzzing, and tuna (eels) emerging from their watery dark holes.
The ngahere (forest) fills with song and the fauna begin their busy days.
A companion book to Te Ngahere i te Pō (The Forest at Night), this full colour picture book gives the manu and creatures of daylight their time to shine.
The manu are alive in these pages, with frolicking cheeky piwakawaka (fantail), and tui stretched out in song or having their nectar breakfasts.
Te reo is a strong part of the story in both illustration and text, allowing young readers to add more words to their reo. A full glossary is also included in the rear of the book.
Author – Kiri Lightfoot
Illustrator – Pippa Keel Situ
Picture Book
(2026, Allen & Unwin, Bilingual, Māori Language, NZ Bush, Aotearoa NZ, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, NZ Native Birds, Gecko, Eels, Series)