Kaewa Kororā (little blue penguin) is swimming when suddenly she is dashed against the sand on the sea floor.

Ow! Her flipper is sore!

She wakes to find herself in a very strange place. Something big is talking to her and then she is flying!

Unsure but not scared, now there are other penguins like her all around. An older penguin welcomes her and introduces many other Kororā. She follows this friendly penguin called Captain, to food and into her new surroundings.

Most Kororā seem friendly, but something or someone keeps pushing her, tripping her, even toppling her into the water!

Poor Kaewa. She is injured, in a strange place and something is being really mean! Or is it?

The National Aquarium of NZ is in Napier, and has a special section for penguins who are abandoned, hurt or sick. They are cared for while they recover and then released back into the ocean when well again.

Aquarium Manager Rachel Haydon is a qualified primary school teacher and scientist with a zoology degree and Master’s in Marine Science. She has over 15 years’ experience of teaching science to children of all ages in schools, museums, zoos and aquariums – and is also the author of Kaewa the Kororā.

Kaewa has some problems with one particular penguin. No malice is meant, but this could possibly move into talks with young children about bullying.

In the rear of the book is a double page spread of the real Kororā crew! With a photo and a little bio each, we meet 13 residents of the National Aquarium’s Rehabilitation centre especially for these cute little flightless sea birds.

Author – Rachel Haydon

Picture Book

Take a look inside here

(2021, Massey University Press, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Wildlife, Little Blue Penguin, National Aquarium of NZ, Rehabilitation Centre, Santuary, Animal Care, Kororā, Friendship, Bullying, Bullies)