Te Huihui o Matariki / The Seven Stars of Matariki

By Toni Rolleston-Cummins, translated into te reo Māori by Hone Morris

When he sees his brothers bewitched by seven beautiful women, the adventurous Mītai must step in. The Seven Stars of Matariki is a contemporary myth of love, magic and adventure that celebrates Matariki and tells how the star cluster came into being.

Click a book cover to listen, or one of these links: Te Huihui o Matariki read in te reo Māori, by Te Kahumatamomoe Taumata or The Seven Stars of Matariki read by the author, Toni Rolleston-Cummins.

If you would like to read along with the stories, click a link to find the book in our libraries: Te Huihui o Matariki, Seven Stars of Matariki

(Video produced by Belinda Davis of Wellington City Libraries in association with Huia Publishers. Illustration © Nikki Slade-Robinson.)

Snake and Lizard

By Joy Cowley, illustrated by Gavin Bishop

A collection of stories about the friendship between Snake and Lizard, this book was named 2008 NZ Post Book of the Year. Listen to selected chapters from Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley and Gavin Bishop, read by Thomas La Hood:
The Bad Mood
Secrets
Money
In the Garden
Taking Down Walls
The Picnic
Down by the River
Heads and Tails

Note: these are MP3 files.

(Audio produced by Wellington City Libraries in association with Gecko Press. Illustration © Gavin Bishop. Recording funded by the committee of New Zealand Post Book Awards Region with sponsorship from WCC Cultural Grants.)

I am the king

By Leo Timmers

One morning Tortoise suddenly finds himself wearing a crown. 'I am the King!' he says. His friends can't stop laughing. Goat, Flamingo, Snake, Pig, Crocodile, Elephant and Ape each think they would make a perfect king. But who really is the King of the animals? Listen to I am the king by Leo Timmers, read by Thomas La Hood.

(Click to play, or if you can't see the link on the left, click here.)

(Video produced by Rebecca Pilcher of Wellington City Libraries in association with Gecko Press. Illustration © Leo Timmers.)

I am so handsome

By Mario Ramos, translated by Jean Anderson

The big bad wolf thinks he is the most handsomest creature in the woods, so he goes for a stroll to get everyone to admire him... Listen to I am so handsome by Mario Ramos, read by Thomas La Hood.

(Click to play, or if you can't see the link on the left, click here.)

(Video produced by Rebecca Pilcher of Wellington City Libraries in association with Gecko Press. Illustration © Mario Ramos.)

The Grumble Rumble Mumbler

By Melanie Drewery

It's bedtime - but what's that noise? Could it be a monster? Or is it something else? Listen to author Melanie Drewery read her book The Grumble Rumble Mumbler - you can read more about Melanie on the Book Council website.

(Click to play, or if you can't see the link on the left, click here.)

(Video produced by Wellington City Libraries and Huia Publishers. Illustration © Loudmouth Productions.)