Witi Ihimaera & Henry Campbell: The Little Kowhai Tree

Witi Ihimaera has won numerous awards and accolades for his novels and short stories. What many people don't know is that he has written a delightful picture book for children, first published in 2002.

The heroine is a little kowhai tree who is both short and stout - just like the teapot in the nursery rhyme. Despite her size she is very protective of the little brother tree that grows beside her. The kowhai is able to frighten off any creatures who might harm her brother until the day the woodcutter arrives with his chainsaw . . .

This book is a pleasure to read out loud to pre-schoolers who are sure to see the links with the little teapot song. While fairytale characters are seen on all the pages, the bold, distinctive illustrations of Henry Campbell also beautifully capture the flora and fauna of our native bush.

Publisher: Huia Publishers

Price: $16.99

Age: 2-plus

Recommended by: Dorothy Vinicombe