Te Po Roa by Andrew Burdan

A Jonah Lomu look-alike (it’s the hair!) stars in this wordless book about a boy who dreams of himself in situations that many little boys would like: pilot, underwater explorer, mountaineer.

It’s simple, engaging and unmistakably from New Zealand – check out the butterfly on the weatherboard house on the first page, and the appearance of many native plants and animals.

Te Po Roa is a nominee for the Russell Clark Award (illustration) – one of the LIANZA Children’s Book Awards for 2008.

As well as being suitable for new entrants I can imagine this book could be useful for ESOL teachers.

Published by Huia Education

Reviewed by Beth