PATU: The New Zealand Wars by Gavin Bishop | Book Review | Family Time

Promotion for Penguin Books

Discover the key people, perspectives and battles of the New Zealand Wars in PATU, the latest book in multiple award-winner Gavin Bishop’s bestselling series of visual histories for children and adults telling the story of Aotearoa.

Learn about the bitter armed clashes over land and sovereignty, navigate the defining moments of the wars, visit the battle sites, and explore the sweeping change that took place in Aotearoa during the 19th century, in this powerfully told and richly illustrated book.

An essential resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the history of our nation, PATU is ideal for homes, libraries and especially for schools, with New Zealand history (including the New Zealand Wars) now a compulsory subject. This pukapuka will also find an appreciative adult audience, particularly for those interested in military history.

With a fully illustrated presentation of information in this stunning large-format hardback, complete with foldout maps of key pā, villages and battle sites, history has never been so accessible and engaging.

The previous book in the series, ATUA: Māori Gods and Heroes won the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year Award in 2022.

Buy your copy of “Patu: The New Zealand Wars”

Read the review from Jessica

This book is a great resource for families. It is visually stunning and very appealing to children. Gavin Bishop has done an incredible job of balancing his dramatic, yet accessible illustrations with just the right amount of text that a young reader can involve themselves in.

As a parent, I’m thrilled that NZ history is opening up for young primary-aged children. This groundbreaking resource would be very useful for schools as well as in homes.

PATU: The New Zealand Wars by Gavin Bishop

As a parent, I’m thrilled that NZ history is opening up for young primary-aged children. This groundbreaking resource would be very useful for schools as well as in homes.

My (almost) 8-year-old son is very interested in knights and castles and this book really captured his interest which is wonderful. He is not of the age to read it thoroughly yet, but he is reading portions of text that is attached to the particular graphics that appeal to him – and there are many in this book. All my children were interested to read about the local-to-them Wellington land disputes after learning about them at school this year.

There is something here for every New Zealand child and family to learn from, and some location that will be close to their home. How wonderful to see our country’s history laid out so clearly and simply. Bishop has beautifully balanced the harshness and realities of war whilst keeping this a factual and informative children’s book.

Our star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quote from Mr 7 : “A really interesting and cool book. I like the battles”.

Puffin Book of the Month activities

Let little imaginations grow with our Puffin Book Club activities! We have a huge range of fun, printable activities from all your favourite new Puffin books for children.

Go hunting for bugs, colour in some rascally Hairy Maclary friends, learn to count in te reo with Pūkeko, join the Lighthouse Princess on a spot-the-difference adventure, or choose any of the other great activities.

Free and printable – which ones will you choose?

Choose your fun!

Don’t forget to visit Puffin Books for more great kids’ titles.

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