How Many Times? Me Hia Rawa Ngā Wā

A busy mum asks her children to help her and Koro in the kitchen, but they are engrossed on screens.

She asks them to pick up their things. Her pleas fall on deaf ears….

Little do they know that Mum’s words aren’t going anywhere. Every time she asks them a question, or requests their help, those words collect at her feet – on the walls, and even eventually hang from the ceiling!

It’s only when those words swamp the whole house that the children finally realise their mistake. Only they can put things to rights – but will the warning stay long enough for them to hear Mum the next time?

 

This bilingual (English/Māori) text is something we can all relate to in our homes and even our classrooms. Children are easily caught up in a game, a movie, or many other things they love to do. Helping around the house is last on the list for most.

I enjoyed the way Mum’s words weren’t completely ignored and lost. They were right there, with the piles growing day by day. Tim Tipene has brought life to these daily pleas from parents in a fun way that will capture young reader’s attention.

Making the children not only the reason for the problem, but the heroes of the story too, will hopefully help readers see their own homes in the tale.

Nicoletta Benella’s illustrations bring to life the spoken and then ignored words, at the family’s peril. I love the inclusion of martial arts moves in the fight back.

A book for every library – wherever it may be.

 

Author – Tim Tipene

Illustrator – Nicoletts Benella

Publisher – Oratia

Picture Book

 

 

 

(2025, Oratia Media, NZ, New Zealand, Aotearoa, Family, Cooperation, Responsibility, Helping around the house, Words, Pleads, Mum, Mother)

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