Black Boots and Buttonhooks

May #2

by Phyllis Johnston, Ernest Papps (Illustrator)

In ‘Black Boot and Buttonhooks,’ the second book of the May series, the Tarrant family move to the King Country to farm near Piopio and May is now old enough to turn the grindstone, milk the cows and ride a horse – and old enough to get caned for disobeying the teacher at her bush school. This much loved book was reprinted in 2017.

Genres: History, Biography

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Phyllis Aileen Johnston (nee Webby) was a children's writer with a particular interest in New Zealand history. She was involved in literary organisations for many years, serving as president of Bookrapt (the Bay of Plenty Children's Literature Association) for over two decades, and then as patron. Her stories have appeared in numerous editions of the School Journal and she taught children’s writing at Waikato University. In 1998, Phyllis received the Betty Gilderdale Award for oustanding services to New Zealand children's literature. In 1999, she was the Writer In Residence of the South Auckland Children's Literature Association, and was awarded a project grant from Creative New Zealand. Her book Dead Dan's Dee was nominated in the Junior Fiction section for the 2008 New Zealand Post Book Awards.

Reviews

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

We had Margaret Mahy come to our school as a special event to announce the release of this book. It was set in my back yard (kind of: It was set in Mocauiti and I lived in Te Kuiti, New Zealand) and it was exciting to read something so close to home but from what seemed like such a long time off (set in early 20th century) and in such a time when men were off clearing the bush and trying to make a life for their families, with the families living in mud up to their waists. What I remember most about this series is the small things, like the main character (I don't remember her name) saving up to buy a sewing machine through the mail order catalogue and her brother falling on a knife and loosing his eye, with no doctor within cooee to call upon. I think this may have been my first experience of home grown fiction and looking back, I realise it had an extremely positive effect on my subsequent reading choices and horizon. I think Phyllis Johnston is still going strong and writing her children's lit. I owe her a debt of enormous proportions for such a fabulous book. Thank you.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 - 3.8.
It is still enlightening about early pakeha life in New Zealand, social and economic conditions, building, farming, family life, but it didn't seem to flow as well as 'No one went to town.' I found I was forcing myself to keep going.
However it would still be good to read aloud to yr 3-5 s.
(By the way, one of the other reviews has some strangely spelt place names. I suspect the device the reviewer was using has altered them.)

I'd also recommend this author's later books for older children for their authentic feel of the times and how it felt to be a young person then;
Brother, sister, soldier, cousin , 2009
WW 2, adoption, farming
Abt 10 years to 13 yrs
And
Dead Dan's Dee, 2007
Aftermath of WW1, TB, orphan, adoption/ fostering, farm life, family secret.

[Elisabeth Nz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a child, and because I am currently reading a Deborah Challinor book set in colonial Taranaki times, that has taken me back to Black Boots and Buttonhooks.. so I located it in the book shelves to re-read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it all over again.

[Nia Glain Chesswas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous and unique NZ historical stories, such a hard working family. So glad they have been re-printed this year as they have been really hard to find.

[Kristy Hetzel]

Fascinating series

[Rebecca Filbrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Zealand "Little House on the Prairie"

True story of life in pioneer New Zealand told in a captivating way.
Looking forward to reading the next book.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow this is SO just Laura Ingalls in colonial NZ. Same clothes, Ladylike=importantness, pedagogy, architecture, and attitudes towards the 'natives'...

[Karen Dransfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sequel story to No one went to town. Based on the story of the Tarrant family who were pioneer farmers near Piopio in the King Country. Apart from a great story which is based on true people, it includes lots of interesting descriptions and facts about what it was like to live as a child in these times.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on Old New Zealand and early settlers. Yes, a bit 'all good' as it is for children, but great description of what life was like. In these old books, as the Mary Ingall's ones, I really like the simple life people led but also the great sense of wonder that children had: they were enjoying simple things, and extremely happy at simple things just found in nature...