As children climb into their beds at night, so do the tūī, the pīwakawaka, and the kererū.

But as they all settle, other animals of Aoteroa are just waking up, beginning with the ruru – the kaitiaki (guardian) of the forest. He wakes and watches from high in a tree, as birds, insects and bats emerge from their sleeping spots used during daylight hours.

Inspired by a guided walk through the Waitākere Ranges at night, the author experienced the moments where daylight gives in to darkness and the creatures of the night begin to stir. The beautiful illustrations by Pippa Keel Situ capture not only the creatures themselves, but the quiet atmosphere of the darkness itself.

I could imagine the sound of the kiwi rustling through the undergrowth, and the sight of silent wing beats of bats and moths. Even more New Zealand animals are shown in their night time activity, portraying the darkness coming to life as we sleep.

As in every page of this picture book, there is simple te reo in the text, which has its English translation softly moulded into the illustration. Readers can clearly identify and learn about each animal through the pages, with not only its Māori name, but with a snippet of information on each on the back page.

My favourite depiction of this change over between day and night is the sets of eyes, gleaming in the darkness. Can young readers guess which eyes belong to which of our Aotearoa animals?

Author – Book by Kiri Lightfoot

Illustrator – Pippa Keel Situ

Picture Book

(2025, Allen & Unwin NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Native Birds, Night time, Animals, Nocturnal, Darkness, Creatures, Native Animals)