Whetū and her mum have arrived at a farm belonging to a famous magician. Mum’s new job is to be his personal assistant – sorting out his pile of paperwork, bookings and farm. This isn’t just any farm. The animals are like no other Whetū has seen, and to help out her busy Mum, she becomes the animal keeper.

There is one animal that is particularly difficult. Errant is a large white talking rabbit and also the magician’s assistant on stage. He’s picked up a little magic himself and begins to cause havoc for everyone. Whetū soon learns the farm is in trouble – which means the animals will be sold off and Mum will lose her job. She is soon dealing with a giant rabbit’s ego, an angry magician, a bull with anxiety and a carnivorous lamb. Can she help hold everything together?

This story is something different for early middle-grade readers.

I was constantly surprised by the wonders on this farm and was quickly willing Whetū to suceed in her quest to make things right. It is funny, imaginative, and part of the 2019 New Zealand Read Aloud program in schools.

Author – Steph Matuku

Illustrator – Katharine Hall

Age – 7+

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(2018, Huia Publishers, Magic, Talking Animals, Series, Helpful, Magician, Working together, Teamwork, Secret, NZ, Read aloud, New Zealand)