William’s Waitangi Day by David ling, illus. Nikki Slade Robinson

William’s Waitangi Day by David ling, illus. Nikki Slade Robinson. Pub. Duck Creek Press, 2018.

Sometimes it takes a children’s picture book to explain what something really means. In this case it is New Zealand’s National Holiday, Waitangi Day.

William and Sarah are of Asian descent and when asked by their teacher what they are doing on Waitangi Day, they do not know what it means. Maori children Joe and Ani explain in the simplest terms about the Treaty of Waitangi which is a “sort of an agreement for both Maori and settlers to live here”.

They explain about what they do at Waitangi, the wakas, the hangi and the great kai.

Then the parents invite William and his family to share the day with them. Lovely.

Nikki Slade Robinson’s bright and perceptive illustrations make for a satisfying read. Eating the yummy kai is a beauty.