Book Review: Tarore and Her Book

14 Feb 2010

Joy Cowley’s new children’s book retells the amazing story of how one Maori girl brought the gospel to her people. Paintings by Mary Glover Bibby.


A child dies. Her book is stolen. How does this bring peace to the people of Aotearoa? In this beautifully illustrated and simply written book, we follow the true story of Tarore, a bright, young Maori girl living near Waharoa in the 1830s. Tarore treasured the Maori Gospel of Luke that her Mission teachers in the Waikato gave to her. She carried it with her everywhere and read it to herself and aloud to others, leading her family and other members of her iwi to become Christians.

When Tarore was tragically killed by an enemy warrior, he spared her precious book, taking it for himself. This warrior became a Christian and through him and others, God’s message of peace and love spread far beyond Tarore and her iwi, eventually finding its way to Otaki, where even the great chief Te Rauparaha became a Christian. Tarore’s little book changed the lives of New Zealanders forever. This is a captivating and inspiring story of the power of God’s word and will be loved by children and adults alike.

WORDS: Julie Hintz