Awatea’s Treasure is a hit!

14 March 2017

Awatea’s Treasure is a hit!

The book Awatea’s Treasure by new author Fraser Smith has only just been released and yet is proving to be a hit with both primary and intermediate school age readers, and especially boys.

The story is essentially about a boy’s adventures in rural NZ in the country and on the coast in the 1960s. Author Fraser Smith, the Principal of Oturu School just north of Kaitaia, wanted to share his stories of growing up in the great outdoors with children of today who may have never experienced that.

‘This book grew from stories told to children in classrooms and on camps’ says Fraser. ‘The book began around a camp fire on a remote rocky shore on a school camp in the Far North with a class of year 5 and 6 students as a bedtime story. I was careful not to make it too frightening or the kids wouldn’t go to sleep in their tents under the pohutukawa trees. The next night, the kids reminded me of the story from the night before, and asked me to tell them what happened next.’

‘As a school principal I often struggle to find material suitable for rural Māori children and boys especially. These stories suit reading aloud; there are ghost stories, humour and adventure. It is warm and spiritual and at times chilling. These stories have been shaped with children, and have been told and read to children from many schools.’

And it seems the 1960s outdoor life has proven to be a captivating topic going by feedback from other teachers as well.

‘I have started reading Awatea’s Treasure to my Year 6 classroom and they love it! They’re transfixed by the story line and the beautiful descriptive way it is written. They love the mix of te reo Māori and English too!’ David Sedcole, Principal at Mangonui School.

‘I am a Year 4 and 5 teacher at Oturu School and this book grabbed my students’ attention right from page one!’ Stacey Cowell .

‘A beautifully written New Zealand adventure story that will be a perfect fit for the reluctant reader especially intermediate age boys.’ Annette McKitrick, Librarian/Resource Manager, Waimea Intermediate School

Awatea’s Treasure will be officially launched at 5.00pm on Thursday 16th March at Marston Moor, 74 Commerce St. Kaitaia, where Fraser will be introducing the book and the characters. Books will be available for sale following the launch.

ENDS

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