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by Nicola Toki (Author), Jo Pearson (Illustrator)
Everything you need to know about the famous Puteketeke, Aotearoa New Zealand's Bird of the Century!
This charming children's picture book tells the story of Puteketeke. Previously unknown to most people, it was thrust into the spotlight when it won the 'Bird of the Century' competition held by Forest & Bird in 2023. Most people expected the kiwi or k?k?po to win but the competition took on a life of its own when US TV host, John Oliver, campaigned for the Puteketeke to win. He loved them, called them 'weird puking birds' and built enormous puppets to celebrate them.He helped inspire 300,000 people in almost 200 countries around the world to vote for his favourite bird! Puteketeke are a threatened species found in high country lakes across the South Island and they are in trouble, due to predators such as ferrets, which take their chicks. Nicola Toki, CEO of Forest & Bird, has based her story on the classic rhyme 'Five Little Ducks', cleverly weaving in all the key facts and subtle conservation messages. Combined with gorgeous illustrations by Jo Pearson, this is a classic to enjoy for years to come.
Author Biography
Nicola Toki is Forest & Bird's Chief Executive. She has held leadership roles across public, private and non-profit organisations, including the Department of Conservation. Nicola studied at the University of Otago where she studied zoology and law, as well as a postgraduate diploma in natural history film-making. She has been a passionate conservationist all her life. Nicola helps present the weekly radio show Critter of the Week with Jesse Mulligan on Radio New Zealand and most recently co-hosted the television series Endangered Species Aotearoa.
Jo Pearson is an illustrator based in Otepoti Dunedin. Originally from Auckland, Jo has illustrated two colouring books for adults, and this is her first foray into children's book illustration. With a lifelong love of children's books, Jo works from her small children's bookshop-meets-studio in Port Chalmers. She lives beside the sea with her husband and two children. Learn more about her work at www.jopearsondraws.co.nz
