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Maori Tales of Long Ago by A W Reed with illustrations by A S Paterson

Maori Tales of Long Ago contains some of the best loved Maori myths and legends presented in the traditional manner of a Maori elder telling village children. In this case, the Maori storyteller is genial old Popo and he is telling these stories to Rata and Hine, the chief’s son and daughter. The writer brings the stories alive with the help of illustrator, Alan Stuart Paterson’s eight colour plates and charming drawings.

If you are wondering why Maori Tales of Long ago has the feel of an older style children’s book, it is because it is a facsimile edition of a classic collection of stories originally compiled in two hardcover volumes, ‘Maori Tales of Long Ago’ and ‘Wonder Tales of Maoriland’ published by A W and A H Reed during the late 1940’s. These volumes were best-sellers of their time, and now re-released in a complete volume of 16 stories, they give a new generation of New Zealand children a lyrical introduction to the world of Maori mythology.

The only thing added to the original stories is a new foreword from David Simmons, a distinguished ethnologist, former assistant director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum and author of several books on Maoritanga.

Alexander Wyclif (Clif) Reed was born a century ago and with his uncle A H (Alf) Reed ran a publishing business that would play a central role in new Zealand publishing. Clif was the author of over 200 books and is remembered most for his children’s tales. He died in 1979. Alan Stuart Paterson was born in 1902 and worked as staff illustrator for the dominion newspaper for 25 years, as well as illustrating several books. He died in 1968.

RRP $29.99
Published by New Holland
 

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