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Maui and Other Maori Legends 8 Classic Tales of Aotearoa
A beautiful collection of artist Peter Gossage's beloved Maori myths, in one stunning volume.
Peter Gossage’s memorable retellings of Maori oral myths have captivated the children of New Zealand for generations. Their dramatic and distinctive illustrations with minimal yet evocative language form a powerful combination, and each has earned its place among the beloved classics of our literature.
These are exciting, magical tales of adventure and intrigue. Several feature the remarkable culture hero Maui – the quick-witted and the trickster – whose exploits include slowing the sun in its course across the sky, fishing up the North Island/Te Ika a Maui, discovering the secret of fire and his attempt to trick the goddess of death and become immortal.
Maui and Other Legends contains eight essential legends. In this volume you will find timeless favourites such as How Maui Found his Mother, Battle of the Mountains, Pania of the Reef and many more.
The treasury includes:
How Maui Found his Mother
How Maui Found his Father and the Magic Jawbone
The Fish of Maui
How Maui Slowed the Sun
How Maui Found the Secret of Fire
How Maui Defied the Goddess of Death
Battle of the Mountains
Pania of the Reef
Peter Gossage’s memorable retellings of Maori oral myths have captivated the children of New Zealand for generations. Their dramatic and distinctive illustrations with minimal yet evocative language form a powerful combination, and each has earned its place among the beloved classics of our literature.
These are exciting, magical tales of adventure and intrigue. Several feature the remarkable culture hero Maui – the quick-witted and the trickster – whose exploits include slowing the sun in its course across the sky, fishing up the North Island/Te Ika a Maui, discovering the secret of fire and his attempt to trick the goddess of death and become immortal.
Maui and Other Legends contains eight essential legends. In this volume you will find timeless favourites such as How Maui Found his Mother, Battle of the Mountains, Pania of the Reef and many more.
The treasury includes:
How Maui Found his Mother
How Maui Found his Father and the Magic Jawbone
The Fish of Maui
How Maui Slowed the Sun
How Maui Found the Secret of Fire
How Maui Defied the Goddess of Death
Battle of the Mountains
Pania of the Reef
- GenresMythology
208 pages, Hardcover
Published October 3, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 20, 2016
A beautiful bringing together of the classic tales by Peter Gossage. High quality production values are evident throughout and this is a must buy book for every school library in New Zealand. I love the indentation of Maui on the front cover.
July 9, 2018
Such a beautiful book, amazing illustrations and beautiful stories. Absolutely one of my favs
December 8, 2016
“Maui and Other Maori Legends – 8 Classic Tales of Aotearoa” by Peter Gossage
Wonderful collection of tales presented in a quality book.
The stories are:
“How Maui Found His Mother” by Peter Gossage.
Courageous rendition of a fascinating legend. Maui-tiki-a-Taranga's journey to find his mother.
“The wave children of Tangaroa and Hine-moana bore him on their backs.
The clouds shielded him from the fierce sun, and Tawhiri the wind cooled him.
The swelling tide swept him swiftly along the coast.”
- - -
“How Maui Found His Father and the Magic Jawbone” by Peter Gossage.
“Maui felt the power of the bone course through him.
'I will tame the Sun!'
'I will find the Secret of Fire!'
'I will even defy Death!'”
- - -
“The Fish of Maui” by Peter Gossage.
Fascinating retelling of the famous mythical origins of the North Island.
- - -
“How Maui Slowed the Sun” by Peter Gossage.
“Long ago Te Ra, The Sun, began to move quickly across the sky. The days became too short to do all the things that had to be done.”
Maui and his brothers harness the sun and slow down its trajectory.
“Now, that is why the days are long enough, and if you look hard you can sometimes see the magic ropes that bind the Sun to the earth.”
- - -
“How Maui Found the Secret of Fire” by Peter Gossage.
“One evening, Maui gazed into his fire and wondered what would happen if all the fires went out.”
Maui finds his Aunty Mahuika, the Goddess of Fire, and tricks her giving him the source of fire.
- - -
“How Maui Defied the Goddess of Death” by Peter Gossage.
The death of Maui's beloved uncle prompts him to consider how he might kill Hine-nui-te-Po. Goddess of Death.
He finds himself on a fantastic spiritually tranformative journey encountering himself, the nine gods, the ten realms of the underworld, the ten realms of the heavens, and finally the highest heaven, Naherangi, the home of Rehua, the Goddess of Kindness and Healing.
“Above them were ten heavens.
These too, he passed through.
The highest heaven, Naherangi, was the home of Rehua,
the Goddess of Kindness and Healing.”
- - -
“Battle of the Mountains” by Peter Gossage.
Quite ingenious tale of how the mountains came to be: Taranaki, Manganui, Tauhara, Pihanga and Putauaki.
Original artwork.
- - -
“Pania of the Reef” by Peter Gossage.
The story of Pania, the graceful light-green eyed creature of the sea and her tale of love and loss. A statue of Pania stands on Marine Parade in Napier.
- - - - -
Wonderful collection of tales presented in a quality book.
The stories are:
“How Maui Found His Mother” by Peter Gossage.
Courageous rendition of a fascinating legend. Maui-tiki-a-Taranga's journey to find his mother.
“The wave children of Tangaroa and Hine-moana bore him on their backs.
The clouds shielded him from the fierce sun, and Tawhiri the wind cooled him.
The swelling tide swept him swiftly along the coast.”
- - -
“How Maui Found His Father and the Magic Jawbone” by Peter Gossage.
“Maui felt the power of the bone course through him.
'I will tame the Sun!'
'I will find the Secret of Fire!'
'I will even defy Death!'”
- - -
“The Fish of Maui” by Peter Gossage.
Fascinating retelling of the famous mythical origins of the North Island.
- - -
“How Maui Slowed the Sun” by Peter Gossage.
“Long ago Te Ra, The Sun, began to move quickly across the sky. The days became too short to do all the things that had to be done.”
Maui and his brothers harness the sun and slow down its trajectory.
“Now, that is why the days are long enough, and if you look hard you can sometimes see the magic ropes that bind the Sun to the earth.”
- - -
“How Maui Found the Secret of Fire” by Peter Gossage.
“One evening, Maui gazed into his fire and wondered what would happen if all the fires went out.”
Maui finds his Aunty Mahuika, the Goddess of Fire, and tricks her giving him the source of fire.
- - -
“How Maui Defied the Goddess of Death” by Peter Gossage.
The death of Maui's beloved uncle prompts him to consider how he might kill Hine-nui-te-Po. Goddess of Death.
He finds himself on a fantastic spiritually tranformative journey encountering himself, the nine gods, the ten realms of the underworld, the ten realms of the heavens, and finally the highest heaven, Naherangi, the home of Rehua, the Goddess of Kindness and Healing.
“Above them were ten heavens.
These too, he passed through.
The highest heaven, Naherangi, was the home of Rehua,
the Goddess of Kindness and Healing.”
- - -
“Battle of the Mountains” by Peter Gossage.
Quite ingenious tale of how the mountains came to be: Taranaki, Manganui, Tauhara, Pihanga and Putauaki.
Original artwork.
- - -
“Pania of the Reef” by Peter Gossage.
The story of Pania, the graceful light-green eyed creature of the sea and her tale of love and loss. A statue of Pania stands on Marine Parade in Napier.
- - - - -
April 11, 2020
I bought this book a year ago on my last visit home to NZ.
I bought it to read to my children so they would learn a bit about their culture, especially since Moana came out and they were shocked I could tell them about the stories of Maui mentioned in the film.
I read this to them about once a month and they never tire of it and it makes me feel just a little closer to home.
The stories are great and can continue to be passed down from generation to generation about Maui the trickster and Pania of the Reef
I bought it to read to my children so they would learn a bit about their culture, especially since Moana came out and they were shocked I could tell them about the stories of Maui mentioned in the film.
I read this to them about once a month and they never tire of it and it makes me feel just a little closer to home.
The stories are great and can continue to be passed down from generation to generation about Maui the trickster and Pania of the Reef
January 21, 2021
This book is stunning. I saw this book years ago and could not get it out of my mind. It finally led me to having it shipped from New Zealand at quite a dear price, which was certainly worth it. The stories of the legends themselves are all engaging, but the real treat in this book are Gossage's illustrations, which are large, vibrant, and gorgeous. The language level of the stories is geared to children, but due to the beauty of the book, we will treasure this far after we are empty nesters. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Polynesian legends or Maori art.
January 19, 2019
I bought this book because I read a review of Moana that mentioned growing up with these illustrations of Maui.
These are beautiful illustrations.
The book is well made with good paper and crisp printing.
I loved the stories and the the glossary of Maori words at the end.
I highly recommend this book for any children or people interested world mythologies.
These are beautiful illustrations.
The book is well made with good paper and crisp printing.
I loved the stories and the the glossary of Maori words at the end.
I highly recommend this book for any children or people interested world mythologies.
May 7, 2020
This is by far one of the best works I’ve ever read. It’s both for children and adults, the artwork in it combines traditional and modern art in an intensely vibrant way, and the narrative style is epic to read aloud.
May 29, 2026
Awesome. This is a great book to read to very young children and be read by older children. It's the best accessible collection of Maui stories. The audio book is narrated superbly. This is a keeper, a great present and fabulous gift.
May 8, 2017
Beautiful book. To read and learn, and also enjoy the incredible illustrations.
July 6, 2018
Great telling of Māori myths. Have always loved the story of Pania of the Reef. Beautiful pictures to go with the stories.
May 1, 2020
The stories within are Maori legends and I thoroughly enjoyed them all.
July 25, 2022
I’m not familiar with Māori legends so I got this book to have a easy overview of names and stories.
I enjoyed both the words and the illustrations by Peter Gossage.
I enjoyed both the words and the illustrations by Peter Gossage.
October 16, 2023
I love the beautiful telling of these stories!
December 7, 2023
Great illustrations and great for schools you'll find a gabillion art and drama lessons potentials and more within these pages
May 6, 2026
Beautiful Pukapuka 😍
February 15, 2024
Excellent. I just read this to my boys. They were really engaged. It really brought the myths to life, both the beautiful illustrations and the simple, yet poetic text.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews