Land of the Long White Cloud: Maori Myths, Tales and Legends [Paperback]

Pavilion Books (Author), Kiri Te Kanawa (Author), Michael Foreman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Opera singer Te Kanawa retells with relish t he folk-histories of her people, the Maori tribes of New Zea land. '

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The pairing of one of the world's leading divas with a celebrated children's book illustrator may seem unlikely at first, but this duo has produced a ravishing collection, strikingly designed and suffused with the intrigue and magic of an exotic land. Born in New Zealand of a Maori father and an Irish mother, Te Kanawa states in her preface that her intent is to pass along recollected childhood tales that were--and are--so meaningful to her. In these 19 stories, her lyrical language transports readers to a long-ago world where babies are cast adrift in a cradle of seaweed and mother's hair, where a young god retards the Sun's journey with a flaxen net. ("We need more hours of light in our days for hunting and fishing . . . ") Foreman's watercolors possess an almost mystical feel in their depictions of swelling seas, wondrous monsters and peaceful lagoons (a shimmering blue paradise is broken only by vivid green birds and a graceful rainbow). His paintings contrast the tropical serenity with the wildness of this untamed country. Bravos to these gifted artists. Ages 6-10.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Accomplishment in one artistic field isn't always an indicator of skill in another, but Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, the internationally acclaimed opera singer, is an excellent reteller of traditional Maori literature. In each of these 19 stories, she provides short introductions to the tales that offer intriguing glimpses of the role of the story in her New Zealand childhood. These give readers the information they need to fully enjoy each story that follows. Lively and full of action, adventure, and magic, the collection is well balanced with myths, hero legends, fairy tales, and pourquoi stories. These tales also reveal specifics of Maori life and its Polynesian roots. Especially appealing is an Orpheus story, "Hutu and Pare," in which a determined hero follows his love into an underworld populated by a fair-skinned, blond-haired people with unusual eating habits. Jewel-toned watercolor illustrations capture the vibrant quality of the stories and convey the changing moods of sea and sky. This book is a rich source of Pacific island material. --Carolyn Polese, Gateway Community School, Arcata, CA
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Pavilion Books (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1862050759
• ISBN-13: 978-1862050754
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,322,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting tales of ancient and mystical New Zeland maoris., July 15, 1998

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This review is from: Land of the Long White Cloud: Maori Myths, Tales and Legends (Paperback)

This is a collection of tales and myths remembered from her childhood. The maori legends are richly told and beautifully, and sometimes frightenly, illustrated. Te Kanawa remains faithfull to the vivid storytelling ancestry she represents. Many of the heroes and villains are as real as the shadow in the night...the shadow that refuses to go away. While nominally directed at children, adults can certainly enjoy the tales while appreciating the illustrative efforts of her co-author. The marriage of story and picture have rarely been put to better use to maintain for posterity a fragile heritage.