Kua Kainamu te Kirihimete: Christmas Countdown
Norah Wilson, ill. Kimberly Andrews

           

Kua Kainamu te Kirihimete:                    
Christmas Countdown
Norah Wilson, ill. Kimberly Andrews
E Oma Rāpeti series No. 8,
Scholastic (2025)
Picture book, paperback, 32 pages
ISBN 978 1 77543 921 9

                       

The fact that this is the eighth volume in the ever-popular bi-lingual series, E Oma Rāpeti [Run Rabbit] shows what a success this series has been.  Aimed at preschoolers and junior classes, each book follows the learning adventures of little Rāpeti and his mother. Little Rāpeti’s friends - including a pukeko, a tui, a kauri snail, a lamb and a chicken – also add to the simple fun.

The sweet thing about young Rāpeti is that his interests and enthusiasms are exactly those of young children everywhere. In Kua Kainamu te Kirihimete: Christmas Countdown (2025) he’s busily counting the days (or rather nights) to Christmas. Of course, he’s impatient and pesters his mother.

‘Māmā, e whia ngā moe ka Kirihimete?  Mummy, how many sleeps until Christmas?’

Fortunately the answer is rima [five], so that Rāpeti’s mother is spared too much repetition in the days ahead. Meanwhile, Rāpeti and friends are busy with different activities each day. As the countdown proceeds, they make Christmas tree decorations.

‘Tapahia. Kaurukuhia. Cut it. Colour it,’ they chant as they work the scissors, pens and glue.

Biscuits are baked, decorations are hung, cards are written and Christmas songs are practised as the sleeps count down. There is an extra surprise waiting for young Rāpeti when Christmas finally arrives. The result is a perfect family Christmas.

 Kimberly Andrews’ colour illustrations are a delight, creating a convincing world where animals live in houses and go to school. Her animals are always expressive; she can even make a hen look happy. The warmth of the emotions in the story is reflected in the characters and colours of these charming pictures.

 Trevor Agnew 

29 Sep 2025 [Review 3802]