Whetū Toa and the Magician
Steph Matuku
Huia
pub. 2018

 

15 April, 2021

Whetū Toa and the Magician, a novel by Steph Matuku with illustrations by Katharine Hall, is about a young girl taking up the job of Animal Keeper in the house of the magician The Mighty Mikarere, where her mother also works.

Whetū Toa and Errant are the main characters. Whetū Toa is a very kind and considerate person. I related to her very well, with her positive attitude. Errant is a very smart bunny who is always getting into mischief.

Whetū Toa is just getting used to the farm when her mum reveals to her that the magician is deep in debt and that Whetū Toa will have to find a way for the animals to work for their keep. If not, they will have to be sold so the magician can get out of debt, but not all the animals are so keen on working.

The Mighty Mikarere is a very talented magician but when Errant says he won’t be his sidekick any more just before the Royal Show, he gets into a panic to find a new sidekick. Will he find one for the show?

I feel like the aim of this book is that you can do anything you set your mind to – it’s just a matter of starting and going through with it.

In this story, there is a lot to do with problem-solving and taking initiative and how sometimes we just need to help others out.  Even though for us readers, we don’t have the magic involved in this book!

Whetū Toa and the Magician is a great read with a captivating plot and interesting characters to keep you entertained. It’s sure to be a book you will enjoy reading at any time, anywhere.

• Hannah Richards is 13 and a student at Marlborough Girls College.