Ta te Kiwi 123 Puka Whakakarakara product reviews

Colouring books have always been popular with children, but in recent years there has been a move to introduce "adult colouring books" for grown-ups in order to provide stress release and an opportunity to "play" in a socially accepting environment. A pukapuka whakakarakara like this has the dual function of combining learning with a fun activity; it is not just children who are intending to increase their command of te reo Maori. Many older people, both Maori and Pakeha, have missed out on learning the first language of Aotearoa in their youth due to lack of opportunity or negative attitudes in society.

We were already familiar with the full-colour version of this book so the text was nothing new. What was reassuring, however, was that there was no longer a need to translate into English; words that are used frequently take on their own connotations. I noticed that the two children who read the earlier book with me approached this one with confidence; they did not need to first count the items on each page so that they got the numbers right. Even Mr Five, who is only just starting to read in English, knew most of the words from the context. Colouring the pictures was fun. They opened the book flat so each could work on one page. Mr Seven's efforts were slightly more sophisticated than his brother's, but the younger boy was totally engrossed in his artwork and did not care!

After completing one double-page spread, the boys took a break before attempting another. This time they had the full-colour book open in front of them for inspiration. It was interesting watching them as they tried to copy exactly what they saw on the page. Of course, they were limited by the materials they had available; Donovan Bixley's colours are so bright that they all but jump off the page whereas the boys' pencils were more muted. However, it was useful as a source of starting ideas.

The outlines of the pictures are bold, with plenty of white space inside the lines. This makes it easier for a younger child to produce an aesthetically pleasing result. Mr Five is at the stage where he is reasonably accurate with only the slightest smudging outside the defined lines. Mr Seven, of course, has much more control as his hand-eye coordination is more mature than that of his brother. Both, however, were pleased with their results and brought the book to their grandmother and me so we could admire their efforts.

After lunch, they insisted that their grandmother should have a turn so she could show them how it needed to be done! She saw this as a teaching opportunity; being bilingual herself, and trying to upskill the boys, she often addresses them in Te Reo. So, the deal was that she would colour and they would talk to her - no English allowed! That was hilarious as they are growing up in an urban environment where English is the usual language; it is only on visits to their grandparents that they get to use Maori as an everyday medium.

First, they had to choose the picture she was to colour. She selected tekau ma waru - nga kapukeke - because there was so much scope for mixing weird and wonderful colours. That met with the boys' approval too; they thought it was perfectly natural to ice cupcakes with orange food colouring and yellow dots!

The boys decided they would leave the partially coloured book at their grandmother's house so they could do some more colouring-in when they visited her next time. She was in full agreement, especially when they said they could continue their practice in Te Reo when they worked on it together!

I requested this colouring book for a couple of reasons. Mainly our family, after dinner, are participating in the Stuff daily quiz and its a serious competition. My husband and I do the morning and afternoon quizzes and the whole family partake in the Brain Busters Kids Quiz. The children's quiz always include Te Reo Māori questions and where as the girls excel at these, as does my husband - it is a major challenge for me.

I was hoping this book would help me with the basics while having some fun. I had expected there to be a translation of its English counter part but it is entirely in Te Reo Māori. The pictures do help some but there are a few words I am stuck on. I am glad it shows the spelling of the words also.

Another reason I requested it was for stress release. I work in an office and some days after doing a million things at once my brain is a bit frazzled. There are times where I need to relax and the tv is not helping and I read that colouring is a great way to relax an over stimulated mind. I had high hopes of coming home and colouring instead I found myself sick with the flu and when I wasn't sleeping my mind still needed something to do so I found I spent a couple of days blobbing colouring in. I have not done it in years and it is rather fun.

Tracing the lines with the felts and colouring in with the pencils took me back to my childhood or when the girls were younger. It was nice colouring the octopus or wheke in yellows and purples and some even in pinks. I did have my girls telling me how silly it looks but I love it. Donovan has such an amazing talent and like his fabulous books this highlights his skills. We have loved his books over the years and this new creative outlet is just as fun. It is a great way to spend some time on doing something for ones self and it truly is relaxing. I plan on treasuring my art time and hoping I learn somethings as I go along.