Anne Kayes’ Tui Street Legends is Part Three of her very successful middle- reader children’s series set in a small New Zealand town, Awatiu, and following the activities and adventures of the kids of Tui Street.
The book is divided into three parts, each one creating a story which focuses on one aspect of the overall theme, in this case, myth. This is a highly effective device since each part can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, in a shorter reading session, but also weaves into the entirety. How the parts complement each other and fit together would make wonderful discussion points for either family or classroom reading.
Each part is based on a myth with Part One beginning with the myth of the Loch Ness Monster which then links to a school project to create a ‘lizard lounge’ and, further, to a younger boy’s intense interest in lizards and then to Ella researching and finding information about the extinct Kumi lizard of New Zealand. Similarly in Part Two, after a discussion in class about Robin Hood and the ethics of robbing the rich to give to the poor, the school sets up a Pataka Kai. Tim, in his zeal to supply it with food learns that dumpster diving can be risky. In Part Three, the children experience a real-life New Zealand selkie who, after finding her wetsuit (seal-skin) can return to her real home.
I enjoyed how Kayes intertwines adventure and magic with reality; in Part One, a Kumi lizard materialises, in Part Two, images of bows and arrows unexpectedly appear and in Part Three, an unpleasant stepmother is revealed to be a selkie. As well as the magic, the Tui Street kids come from homes that are as varied as those of everyday Kiwi kids. Some live alone with their mums, others with their dads, some are from reconstituted families. Depicted in the stories are the kind of trials kids will recognize and understand; from the difficulties which come with training a puppy, to annoying step-sisters to conflict between parents.
At the hub of the stories is the school and I very much enjoyed the way Kayes portrays the teachers, the projects, the easy communication between students and teachers and the positive and enjoyable learning which occurs. I liked, also, the way in which the kids learned from their experiences outside the classroom. Tim learns that despite his good intentions, he must ask for permission before taking apples from a tree. He learns, also, that breaking the law is not a good idea. Harry and Gemma learn to look beyond the surface as they find out the truth about the stepmother they dislike.
Beautifully written, this is a book for children to enjoy reading both alone and with parents, siblings, and classmates. My grandchildren agree.
Reviewer: Paddy Richardson
Wilding Books