The Moas

by Katie Beck

Over-hunted, the giant birds of New Zealand, known as the Moas, are now gone forever. This brilliantly illustrated parable captures our hearts and minds, and it urges us to consider and care for endangered species.

28 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title came up while researching books related to New Zealand.
Wow - well done. Young author/illustrator too (16!).
I hope she is still illustrating.

[Shayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a race of birds who find a perfect island to live on. So over time they lose their ability to be fast and nimble, and to fly. There are some people that come onto this island and hunt these birds for food. And one Moa decides that he is going to exercise and save himself from death. He survives because he eventually flies away. And the rest of the birds perish, they are eaten, and become extinct birds.
I like this book because of the illustrations. They are in black and white but yet they are very detailed. The text is very informational, and after each passage there is a fun fact about something the story mentions.
I would read this book to my children because it teaches many great lessons like, use resources carefully, or you could loose them for forever. Also don't be lazy.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love that it was written locally by a very talented Cache Valley youth. :) My kids thought it was going to be stupid because the cover didn't look that interesting to them, but they love it. I've read it to them every night for the past week.
I like the indicated moral of the story: use your God-given talents and strengths, don't let them dwindle... you never know when you'll need them.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the artwork and the telling of the story. My kids really enjoyed it, too. If you're a fan of international folk tales, you'll love this book!