Reviews
READ NZ - Recommended
“Finding Grace is a stunning bilingual picture book about a young one called Grace.
The illustrations are stunning and there are a number of particular items for children to find and search for in the books images as they read or as they have it read to them. It makes a beautiful bedtime snuggle book.
Each page has squiggly writing both in English and in Māori that curves amongst the illustrations. Each phrase on each page offers up opportunities for discussion, whether with a class or just one child, as it’s being read. The book also gives lovely opportunities to try reading and learning some reo Māori.
It is written with a lovely simple poetic flow and explores movement and meaning both through the words and the illustrations.”
— Reviewed by Claire Cheeseman, Teacher, Laingholm Primary, Auckland
READ NZ
Read NZ Te Pou Muramura
“The sing-song poetry of this bilingual book invites the reader and listener to explore their near environment, to notice the world and be still enough to appreciate the grace of what is around us. It is not a long story, just perfect for a slow savouring of the words and pictures with plenty of time for movement through drama or dance related to what Grace is experiencing. It would even work as a guided relaxation or - hardly surprisingly - a gorgeous read aloud outside under a tree, with the taonga of light and wind and leaves around you.
The images are stunning with backgrounds created by children giving every picture energy and movement and it has hidden treasures to find on the pages.
This beautiful self-published book is a real treat for little people and their grown ups, and I think it will become a classic in families, early learning settings and schools.”
— Reviewed by Esther Casey, Teacher Librarian, Sylvia Park School
Collected Magazine
School Library Association Of New Zealand Aotearoa CC
“A child adventures into their backyard, collecting treasure and connecting with nature. The images reveal a girl finding her way of being with place. Finding her own meaning of grace.
This is a beautiful bilingual poem that explores movement, meaning and connections. The poem has been translated into te reo Māori by Lois McIver, and having both on the page is a nice touch. The simple structure means even those with no knowledge of te reo Māori can understand it. The illustrations, a collaboration between children and artist Nicky Hartley, add to the playful world. Children added textures and marks before Hartley added her touches. The results are breathtaking and beautiful.
I can see this book being used as a great starting point in schools, especially within art, literacy and science. I loved reading it aloud, it has a nice pace and flow effortlessly. Readers are invited to make their own meaning of Grace, examining how the translation and illustrations contribute to the sense of the story. It's an interesting and refreshing concept, as each reader will bring their own experiences, realities and understandings to it. Finding Grace is a beautiful, gentle book in which readers are invited to make their own meaning. ”
— NZ Booklovers - Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell
NZ Booklovers Review