There’s a Moa in the garden, eating all the watermelon! Another bird is laughing from the trees, watching Moa and his great big feet.

During the day, there are many more birds and other native NZ wildlife hanging out in the garden.

Lizards, birds and even a frog are scurrying, flitting about, or enjoying the sunshine or shade.

Alas, these animals may only exist in the past, but someone in this story brings them back to life in her art!

This bilingual picture book by this popular author/artist duo, celebrates through rhyme in both English & Maori – many NZ Native creatures that no longer exist.

Every page is a colourful double-page spread showcasing a particular animal that is now gone from Aotearoa. Look out for Moa on nearly every page of the story. 

More information about each animal is included in the back of the book, in a section called Extras for Extincts. Fascinating facts fill this section with online references for even more information included at the bottom of the page.

This is the third in a series on NZ Native creatures. There’s a Tui in our Teapot, There’s a Weta on my Sweater. (Click on these links for Teacher’s Notes too)

Author – Dawn McMillan

Illustrator – Nikki Slade Robinson

Picture Book

(2021, Oratia, NZ, New Zealand Native Animals, Aotearoa, Birds, Frog, Rhyme, Humour, Extinct, Treasures, Huia, Series, Garden, Backyard)