Toe Butter grew up in a village like any other, but he was different. At first it was just his smelly feet. The other villagers called him names and couldn’t stand the smell. As Toe Butter grew he was soon called Toe Jam the Giant. He grew bigger than the villagers, bigger than the trees, and could see over the mountain tops.

His feet were smellier and smellier, upsetting flora and fauna wherever he went – until no-one could stand it any longer and he was banished. But he never forgot them and when they needed him he came running. Still, they wouldn’t accept him, not realising what was happening every time he left again.

This Maori legend begins with a funny subject, but culminates in an eye-opening understanding of a huge part of Maori culture – the great house, (Meeting house). Simply Brilliant.

Author – Kurahau

Illustrator – Laya Mutton-Rogers

Sophisticated Picture Book

(NZ, Maori Culture, Maori Legend, Belonging, Family, Courage, Betrayal)