Whetū Toa enjoys her work on The Mighty Mikaere’s magical farm, where the animals talk, her mum manages the magician’s business and the Mighty Mikaere practices his new tricks. Things go smoothly most of the time with the animals, despite a bull that bursts into tears at the drop of a hat, a narcissistic golden ram, and a trio of selfish and very vain horses.

Along with looking after the animals, Whetū has been the Mighty Mikaere’s assistant, but now he has a new one named Kale. Kale seems very professional and things are going well.

It seems to happen all at once for Whetū. A flock of sheep are delivered to the farm, along with a robot dog she quickly names Baked Beans. Her mum has begun acting strangely, but gives no hints as to why, and then worst of all, their boss is suddenly very upset. Another magician is in town, and is stealing The Mighty Mikaere’s attention, by performing on the same day!

While Whetū’s mum tries to placate their boss, Whetū gets to know the new sheep. They seem happy enough until they meet Ramses who has begun telling them what to do, and insulting their intelligence.

Things go from bad to worse as the new magician steals The Mighty Mikaere’s brand new tricks, the sheep plan a protest and the robot dog goes feral. Mum asks Whetū to “come in and sit down,” which she knows means something important. How did everything fall apart so fast?

My favourite of the Whetū Toa series so far!

The magical world of Whetū Toa is all within the the high-walled farm she lives and works in with her mum. With its entertaining animal characters and their quirks and personalities, it is a place I enjoyed visiting once again in this third book in the series.

This episode has zany plot twists and events, but it all feels perfectly possibly within the walls of the Mighty Mikaere’s magical farm. His house is incredibly fun with its different rooms and doors to other places, and the quarreling animals can provide talking points for teachers or parents on behaviours, or treatment of others.

Whetū is a likeable character, just wanting to keep the peace between her animal charges, while trying to encourage empathy among them. The ever increasing mystery of stolen secrets builds the suspense, and answers to many questions old and new are discovered.

Each chapter has its own full page entertaining illustration of all the upcoming action!

Young readers 7+ will gobble up the magic, funny, and fast moving story, and young listeners in a classroom will laugh out loud at every read-aloud time.

Author – Steph Matuku

Illustrator – Katharine Hall

Age – 7+

(2024, Huia Publishers, Aotearoa, New Zealand, NZ Author, NZ Illustrator, Series, Magician, Magic, Animals, Pigs, Sheep, Bull, Horses, Funny, Humour, Farm, Mystery, Spy, Technology, Talking animals, Protest, Equal rights, Robot Dog, Betrayal, Laugh out loud)