Anahera: The Mighty Kiwi Mama

(Paperback)

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This is the inspiring true story of one big, fierce mama kiwi, two caring communities, three conscientious kiwi dads, over 60 thriving chicks, and a wild population restored after a 150-year gap! Written and illustrated for kids by award-winning author Ruth Paul, this visionary conservation project literally took place in her own back yard. This is a true story about an endangered kiwi who has become famous around the world for her incredible success in producing more than 60 chicks! When she was very young, Anahera - Angel - was rescued by forestry workers in Taranaki and brought to the torohanga Kiwi House in Waikato. Looked after by the staff there, she grew huge and strong and soon became the champion of their breeding programme - the mama of over 60 chicks! Years later, people from a very special conservation project, Capital Kiwi, visited torohanga with a bold proposal. Anahera was chosen as one of the kiwi to be released in the hills of the capital city. After four decades of life in captivity, would the mighty mama survive and thrive in the wild

Author Bio

Ruth Paul is a children's author and illustrator who lives in an off-grid, straw-bale house on a farm just outside Wellington, New Zealand. In 2019 she was awarded the Arts Foundation Mallinson Rendel Laureate Award, and in 2023 she was University of Otago College of Education Creative New Zealand Children's Writer in Residence Fellow. Ruth started writing and illustrating her own picture books in 2004, and has created over 20 titles. The King's Bubbles won the NZ Post Children's Choice picture book award in 2008, Stomp was a finalist in the NZ Post Book Awards 2012, Hatch and Match was shortlisted for Best Picture Book in the NZBACYA 2024, and Bad Dog Flash was selected for the US Kid's Indie Next List in 2014. I Am Jellyfish, a literally luminous story with its glow-in-the-dark cover, won Best Picture Book at the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults in 2018 and Lion Guards the Cake won the same category in 2022. Ruth's books have sold in New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, the UK, China and Korea, with translations in five languages. She lives and works in Makara, where she can now hear kiwi calling regularly.