Cousins Pipi and Pou are looking forward to their Nana’s delicious rhubarb and apple pie when news of a natural disaster hits their TV screen. Nana looks closer, and seems to recognise something out in the waves near a flooded East Coast town.

Wiping the flour from her hands, Nana instructs her moko (grandchildren) to grab her kete (basket) and tokotoko (carved walking stick).

“It’s time for us to get in our waka and hit the road.”

The children know she means her old car Betsy that only seems to start after a waiata, but wonder where they are off to this time. They are all kaitiaki – guardians of the natural world. Nana has a sense for things that need their help, and it seems the East Coast is calling them this time.

They finally reach a small inundated town where the sea has stretched into its streets and homes. There are no people after a mass evacuation, which is probably for the best when a crab the size of Nana’s car rises out of the floodwaters. Pipi and Pou are shocked until Nana recognises it.

With this enormous crab’s help, they aim to head out past the breaking waves to whatever is causing the tsunami. Pou and Nana ride on the crab but Pipi doesn’t trust it, choosing to transform into her special secret form – a Pouākai, (giant eagle).

Nana has met her match with these waves however, and tumbles into the sea, striking instant panic into her moko. Pou transforms into his superhero self – a giant taniwha,  to try and save her.

Another exciting instalment in the Pipi and Pou series. These cousins with superhero powers, along with their nana, rush to the rescue of a NZ East Coast Bay. Nana is a kuia and tohunga (expert in the natural world), and hears when nature calls.

This adventure begins with a news item on TV, and something Nana sees triggers her into action. It’s a tough challenge for her this time, and her life is suddenly at stake. Pipi and Pou are worried as even their giant eagle and taniwha selves can’t find her. This was a riveting albeit worrying scene for me as a reader. Is Nana going to be lost?

Although uncomfortable, Nana has it in hand however and she sends her karanga out over the waves, this time calling on Pipi to help. This development of Pipi’s skills is a welcome addition to the story and series, as she begins her first karanga. These cheeky cousins are thrilled after this adventure filled with hundreds of humpback whales.

The environmental theme continues through this episode, reminding us all of our responsibilities with our rubbish and looking after nature.

I always come away from a new Pipi and Pou novel with a few more words of te reo on my tongue. There is a full glossary in the back of the book, along with a few pages from the next book in the series – Pipi and Pou and the Firewoman.

Author – Tim Tipene

Illustrator – Isobel Te Aho-White

Age – 7+

See the rest of the series here

See more books by author Tim Tipene here

See more books illustrated by Isobel Te-Aho White here

(2024, Onetree House, Aotearoa New Zealand, Series, Kaitiaki, Guardians of the Natural World, Moana, Ocean, Sea, Giant Crab, Humpback Whales, Giant Eagle, Taniwha, Nature, Cousins, Family, Fantasy, Environment, Growing up, Secret, Te Reo)