Kids into books: The Story of the Kakapo

Author: Philip Temple

Illustrator: Chris Gaskin

Publisher: Longacre Press, $14.95

Age Group: 6-10 years

Tutueka looked down suddenly as her chicks began growling and hissing.

A hungry cat had found them. It sprang amongst them as they played outside their old nest.

In a moment, two were dead.

Only Kairaki escaped. He scrambled away as the cat ate its first victim.

At the top of the rimu tree, Tutueka froze in fear. All her efforts had been wasted.