Janet Hunt — A Bird in the Hand

Random House NZ 2003 Paperback, 128pp. A Bird In The Hand provides a fresh, lively and informative look at a number of New Zealand's unique creatures, the places where they are safe and some of the people who are working to keep them that way. It includes many endangered species and others that are ancient and interesting. Starting with the moa, as important historical background, the book features kakapo, kiwi, hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin), kaka and kea, black stilt, Hamilton's frog, NZ falcon, short-tailed bat, giant snail, peripatus, tuatara, black robin and albatross. Each creature is introduced in a light and child-friendly way with an anecdote often featuring a Department of Conservation worker who, from vast experience, knows the creature well. There are fact boxes for those who want to know more and fascinating side stories. Nearly all of the creatures owe their continued existence to island sanctuaries of some sort (offshore or mainland). A Bird In The Hand underlines their continuing fragility, the danger that introduced animals present and the part that all of us continue to play in ensuring the safety and continuance of endemic species. Large. (ISBN: 9781869415631). Very Good.