21/12/2024
REVIEW
Rapua! I Spy: Kiwi Road Trip Games, by Kat Quin & Pānia Papa
Kat Quin has again teamed up with Pānia Papa (Ngāti Korokī-Kahukura and Ngāti Mahuta) to create an activity book for tamariki on road trips and it’s easy to predict its popularity. This small book is a great size for wee hands and won’t take up too much precious space in an over-packed waka full of children and holiday paraphernalia. There are pages full of objects drawn by Kat Quin to spy, as well as space for tamariki to draw in their own pictures and therefore extend the lifespan of the book.
With a map of Aotearoa on the back cover for tamariki to mark off places they’ve travelled and a warning at the front for anyone who is vulnerable to becoming carsick while reading, they’ve thought of everything. Kat and Pānia have now created dozens of pukapuka together and the combination of Kat’s cute and detailed imagery and Pānia’s excellent and useful kupu Māori is delightful.
Anyone who cares for children will be endlessly grateful for a fresh new diversion for long car trips that doesn’t involve crumbly snacks or screen time. For adults who aren’t accustomed to spending their annual leave with small children, this book will be a happy addition to any Road Tripping With Tamariki toolkete. With the October school holidays upon us and the long summer break looming, gifting this book to a family about to head off for a well-deserved holiday translocational parenting adventure will boost you to the top of their besties list.
KAY BENSEMAN
The Sapling
