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…learn more After the War
Written and illustrated by Bob Kerr
Published by Mallinson Rendel, 2000

…learn more Battle of the Mountains
Written and illustrated by Peter Gossage
Published by Reed Publishing, 2005

…learn more A Booming in the Night
Written by Ben Brown, illustrated by Helen Taylor
Published by Reed, 2005

…learn more Counting the Stars — Four Māori Myths
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Published by Random House, 2009

…learn more Dad’s Takeaways
Written by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by Christopher White
Published by Mallinson Rendel. 2007

…learn more Every Second Friday
Written by Kiri Lightfoot, illustrated by Ben Galbraith
Published by Hodder, 2008

…learn more Haere — Farewell, Jack, farewell
Written by Tim Tipene, illustrated by Huhana Smith
Published by Huia, 2006

…learn more Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy
Written and illustrated by Lynley Dodd
Published by Mallinson Rendel, 1983

…learn more The House That Grew
Written by Jean Strathdee, illustrated by Jessica Wallace
Published by Oxford, 1979

…learn more The House that Jack Built
Written and illustrated by Gavin Bishop
Published by Scholastic, 1999

…learn more Kimi and the Watermelon
Written by Miriam Smith, illustrated by David Armitage
Published by Puffin, 1983

…learn more The Kuia and the Spider
Written by Patricia Grace, illustrated byRobyn Kahukiwa
Published by Puffin, 1983

…learn more Nobody’s Dog
Written by Jennifer Beck, illustrated by Lindy Fisher
Published by Scholastic, 2005

…learn more Old Hu-Hu
Written by Kyle Mewburn, illustrated by Rachel Driscoll
Published by Scholastic, 2009

…learn more A Summery Saturday Morning
Written by Margaret Mahy, illustrated by Selina Young
Published by Puffin Books, 1999

…learn more Tahi, one lucky kiwi
Written by Melanie Drewery, illustrated by John O’Reilly and Ali Teo
Published by Random House, 2007

…learn more Taming the Taniwha
Written by Tim Tipene, illustrated by Henry Campbell
Published by Huia, 2005

…learn more The Trolley
Written by Patricia Grace, illustrated by Kerry Gemmill
Published by Viking, 1993

…learn more Tane Steals the Show
Written by Lino Nelisi, illustrated by Gus Hunter
Published by Scholastic 1997

…learn more The Terrible Taniwha of Timberditch
Written by Joy Cowley, illustrated by Rodney McRae
Published by Puffin, 2009. Previously published 1982.

…learn more Watercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street
Written by Patricia Grace, illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa
Published by Puffin, 1984

…learn more The Whale Rider
Written by Witi Ihimaera, illustrated by Bruce Potter
Published by Reed, 2005

Taming the Taniwha

Written by Tim Tipene

Illustrated by Henry Campbell

Published by Huia, 2005

ISBN: 1-877266-52-3

A Maori language version of this book has also been published.

Both the Maori language and English language versions are available at the International Children’s Digital Library web site.

NZC activities for this picture book here.

Tama is being bullied by James (the taniwha) at school, so he asks his family for help. Aunty Flo says to tell the teacher, but the teacher is always busy, so that doesn’t work. Uncle John says to give him some of his own medicine, but James is bigger and stronger, so that doesn’t work either. In desperation, Tama turns to Papa, his grandfather for advice. Papa says he must get to know the taniwha. Although this seems crazy to Tama, he tries taking James some lunch and inviting him to play. Tama is surprised when he and James become good friends. This is a story about bullying, and about overcoming it. Through the advice of his grandfather, Tama learns to rise above his bully and show him friendship. There are lots of clever details in the bright, busy illustrations and James is represented as a taniwha to begin with, however as the story progresses the reader sees him change to become more like a boy as Tama gets to know him.

Summary written by Marion McKoy

Book cover used with permission of publisher