How Māui Found His Father and the Magic Jawbone

Peter Gossage's 1975 children's book brings to life a traditional Māori tale about the legendary hero Māui. The story follows Māui's quest to find his father after reuniting with his mother Taranga. The narrative takes place between two worlds - Māui's village and an underground realm. When Māui discovers his mother making secret daily journeys, he decides to follow her path to uncover the truth about his father. This book is part of Gossage's larger collection of Māui stories and serves as a foundation for the hero's later adventures. Through detailed illustrations and storytelling, it presents key elements of Māori mythology and culture. The tale centers on themes of family bonds, identity, and the connection between the earthly and spiritual realms in Māori tradition. It explores how determination and courage can lead to self-discovery.

Readers describe this book as a good introduction to Māori mythology for young children. Parents say their kids connect well with Gossage's illustrations and the straightforward retelling of the Māui story. Liked: - Clear, engaging illustrations - Simple language accessible to young readers - Cultural authenticity in the storytelling - Short enough to hold children's attention Disliked: - Some found the ending abrupt - A few readers wanted more background context - Text can be challenging for beginning readers to tackle alone Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (48 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (6 ratings) "The art style captures the mythological elements perfectly," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another parent commented that it "sparked great discussions about Māori culture" with their children. Several homeschool teachers mentioned using it successfully as part of cultural studies units for ages 5-8.

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🦴 The magic jawbone in Māori mythology belonged to Māui's grandmother, Muriranga-whenua, and became one of his most powerful tools for performing heroic feats 🎨 Peter Gossage (1946-2016) illustrated over 20 books about Māori legends, developing a distinctive style that combined traditional Māori art elements with bold, modern designs 🌊 Māui is a legendary figure appearing across Polynesian cultures, known for fishing up islands, slowing the sun, and bringing fire to humans 🖋️ Gossage's series of Māori legends, including this book, has sold over 200,000 copies and become a cornerstone of children's literature in New Zealand 🗺️ The underworld (Rarohenga) in Māori mythology is not a place of punishment like in Western traditions, but rather a natural part of the spiritual realm where ancestors reside