Book Review: Maori Art For Kids, by Julie Noanoa and Norm Heke

Available now in bookstores nationwide.

This is a fantastic book for children, parents and educators and I heartily recommend it.

This book is so thoughtfully created. There are fifteen art activities included (suitable for preschoolers and older, independent crafters). Each activity introduces the reader to an art form or image, an artist who has produced work in the relevant art form and then a simplified activity for children to follow. There are step by step photos and instructions, with good suggestions for personalising the projects. My children liked looking at the pictures and could understand well the steps involved in the projects. I really enjoyed the commentary from the artists.

My four-year-old really enjoyed the pou pou screen-printing project and has tried to make hei tiki using playdough. My eight-year-old also enjoyed the screen printing project and this lead to a dizzying array of further independent art using the same materials. We plan to make the kete and poi projects over summer.

Templates and a glossary of Te Reo and crafting terms are included at the back of the book.

Finally, I feel that the layout of the book deserves special mention. The book is modern, fun, with bright, well-taken photographs. It is a pleasure to look at as much as use.

My copy is being donated to my local kindergarten. If you need a gift for preschool or primary teachers I can’t recommend a better resource to add to their libraries.

Review by Emma Wong-Ming

Maori Art For Kids
by Julie Noanoa and Norm Heke
Published by Craig Potton Publishing
ISBN 9781927213131