One evening, friends Bat and Kiwi are cruising through the NZ bush when they come across something very strange.

It is blue like a summer sky, round and shaped like a shell. What on earth can it be?

Wary, they don’t get too close and continue on their way, hoping it will go away on its own.

Back in their burrow, summer sails on outside. Their animal friends aren’t happy though because summer is supposed to mean sunshine, and they hadn’t had much of it lately. A little rain is fine, but they are all missing the summer sun.

Early one morning, Bat and Kiwi have just settled in for their sleep during the day when the sky darkens outside. When they investigate, looking up in wonder, they see black tumbling storm clouds swallowing the sky. It begins to rain. And rain, and rain, with no sign of stopping.

Water is flooding burrows, and swamping nests! Once again, Batkiwi become the superheroes of the forest, leaping into action with quick thinking and teamwork.

Batkiwi are back, saving their fellow forest friends again – this time from too much rain!

Batkiwi and the Big Wet adds to much needed stories for young children about flooding, especially after recent NZ events. It also adds to the much loved and requested superhero genre, and is kiwi through and through.

New Zealand flora and fauna are seen on the pages of this third book in this popular picture book series, giving young readers another place to experience and learn them all.

I’m a big fan of this NZ superhero duo. Yay for Batkiwi!

Author – Melinda Syzmanik

Illustrator – Isobel Joy Te Aho-White

Publisher – Scholastic NZ

Picture Book

(2025, Scholastic NZ, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Action, Adventure, Animals, Courage, Series, Bat, Kiwi, Native Birds, Storm, Flood, Danger, Rain, Kunekune, Pig, Rescue, Teamwork)