A Kiwi Year: Twelve months in the life of New Zealand’s kids

A Kiwi Year is a fun introduction to New Zealand for kids and adults. Five New Zealand kids welcome the reader in the beginning pages. Each month of the year chronicles the children’s daily lives, culture, and celebrations.

The layout of the pages is good. There is enough white space to organize a large variety of interesting information and keep it from feeling cluttered. The pages feature tidbits about the children’s favorite food and hobbies, and detail activities that happen during the various months and seasons. The text features different sizes and colors to add in the organization. The book identifies items using New Zealand’s slang, which aids in the book’s authenticity. I would have appreciated a glossary at the end, though.

The illustrations are lively and brightly colored; they look to be digitally drawn or designed. A Kiwi Year could also be useful in the elementary classroom for introducing the Maori culture and the concept of different hemispheres.