Rangi enjoys practising haka with the other boys in his class at school. They are preparing for their end of year celebration ceremony. Rangi slaps his chest along
with the other boys, all roaring out their haka. When their practice is over it is time for the girls to perform with their poi.
The other boys pull faces and muck about while the girls practice, but Rangi is transfixed as their pois fly and their steps and timing is perfect. Calling out in support, he joins their song, but the other boys instantly begin teasing him, saying Poi is for girls!
Rangi feels embarrassed for the rest of the day until he visits his Nan after school. She knows and understands his love of poi and has a pile of kapa haka competitions on video Rangi loves to watch and follow with his own Poi. Now he can swing and enjoy Poi as much as he likes without ridicule.
On the night of the celebration ceremony, a key member of the Poi group can’t go on stage, and uncertainty spreads through the performers. Who will lead them?
Rangi’s best friend Tū blurts out Rangi’s secret. He’s seen Rangi swinging Poi every morning before school. He can lead the Poi.
The Poi group is surprised at this request. The audience is surprised to see Rangi appear on stage in front of the girls. But no one is more surprised than Rangi on how good it feels to perform his true Kapa Haka love – Poi.
He leaves everyone in awe of his amazing skill with the Poi and the longing to perform Poi with the girls has bloomed into something much more.
Ka mutu pea! How wonderful! This bilingual story is gorgeous with te reo appearing first on the pages with English underneath. te reo is used within the English portion too, with these words listed in small print at the bottom of the page. This is a great way for any reader to add more te reo Māori to their knowledge.
Rangi is a gorgeous boy and he yearns to join in with the girls and their Poi. He struggles with the teasing that results, but has support in his grandmother to pursue his love of Poi. When he does finally get his chance to perform with the girls, he not only saves the performance and shines on stage, he shines right off the page as he achieves his dream.
The illustrations add so much to this wonderful story with swoops of colour and Māori design behind the action and characters as they tell the story. A story of diversity, acceptance, inclusivity and being your true self – all wrapped up in a purely New Zealand story that can be read and enjoyed anywhere in the world.
Simply beautiful!
Author – Tangaroa Paul
Illustrator – Rebecca Gibbs
Picture Book
(2024, Oratia Books, Kapa Haka, School, Performance, Celebration Ceremony, Practice, Bilingual, Te Reo, Poi, Different, Diversity, Culture, True Self, Acceptance, Courage, Self Belief, Confidence, Nana, Video Tapes, Natural, Feelings, Teasing, Teased, Laughed at, Expectations, Authentic Self, Queer, LGBTQ+)