#365PictureBooks 37. Te Reo Singalong Book 7 He aha tenei? [& CD] by Sharon Holt, illustrated by Deborah Hinde

Holt, S., & Hinde, D. (2014). He aha tenei? (What is this?) [& CD]. Hamilton, New Zealand: The Writing Bug.

ISBN: 9780473285906
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6 / Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Book / NZ Fiction / Te Reo Maori
Rating: 5 stars

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Titiro mai!

He aha tenei?

He mumutawa tena.

Titiro mai!

He aha tenei?

He mumutawa tena.

Me tiaki ...

He taonga!

Look! What is this?

That is a ladybug

Look! What is this?

That is a ladybug.

Be gentle.  It's special! 

Book 7 in Sharon Holt's Te Reo Singalong series is all about the sentence structure of asking the question "What is this?".  Her books are all in Te Reo Maori, with an English translation at the end, and include a CD.  There are also guitar chords if you wish to play the song for children to keep to the rhyme.  There is also a list of 10 activities at the end to try with children.

The rhyme is simple and catchy and a fantastic way for children to learn Te Reo Maori, whether in a school or home environment.  The accompanying CD makes it easy for whanau, family and teachers to learn the rhyme and pronunciation themselves if they are not Te Reo Maori speakers.

The illustrations make it easy to understand what the question is asking.  The are very realistic, almost photo-like, in their depiction.  The main focus of a child and the bug they are asking about are central to the image, with the background done in an out-of-focus fuzzy way.

It teaches Te Reo Maori to children (and adults) in an easy to remember rhyme.  Students around Year 6 may find it to simplistic - probably due to the illustrations, however if they have no knowledge of Te Reo Maori it is a great way to learn.

This is a fantastic series of books to have.  Our Te Reo teacher uses them regularly with all our classes.  I am really pleased that I purchased the original set at the 2013 SLANZA conference in Wellington, and I make a point of getting each new one when it comes out.

Te Reo Singalong Awards:

Winner Maori Language Awards 2013 

Finalist Maori Language Awards 2012 

Other titles in the series:

Maranga Mai!

Kei te Peke Ahau

Anei Ke!

Me Haere!

E hia nga moe?

Matariki

I got my copy of He aha tenei? from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.

#365PictureBooks 5. Oh Dear, what can the matter be? by P. Crumble, illustrated by Simon Williams, performed by Jay Laga'aia

Crumble, P. (2014). Oh Dear, what can the matter be? Gosford, Australia: Scholastic.

ISBN: 9781743622377
Pages: 24
Age Level: Early Childhood 0-6
Genre: Picture Storybook / Stories in Rhyme
Rating: 4 stars

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I love Crumble's work.  I noticed in the last year that I have been drawn to his(?) books as the combination of his humour and the illustrators of his books make for a bright and fun read. 

And he doesn't disappoint in this lively rendition of Oh Dear, what can the matter be?  Be careful because it is a bit of a tongue-twister!  For those who can't remember how the tune goes there is an accompanying CD with the lyrics sung by Jay Laga'aia.

Williams' fantastically amazing, bright and colourful illustrations, really bring the song to life.  There are so many different things to see on each beautifully illustrated page with the characters from one page flowing through to the next page.  I particularly love the first page with the ducks stuck in the lavatory!

It's great for a group read-aloud - or should I say CD sing-along.  You can let the CD play while one of the kids turns the pages and you having a jolly old time acting out to the song.  So much fun for us crazy librarians!!! ;-)

I got my copy of Oh Dear, what can the matter be from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.