Alice and the Strange Bird

Author & Illustrator: Isaac du Toit

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From the back cover: "In 1880, seven-year-old Alice McKenzie saw and interacted with a strange bird on the beach at Martins Bay, an isolated part of New Zealand's South Island. What did she see? Some well-known New Zealanders believed that Alice may have been one of the last people to have seen a moa."

National Library of NZ Entry

I went through the finalists for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults, and Alice and the Strange Bird by Isaac du Toit caught my attention. It’s a well-crafted book, and Isaac deservedly won the Russell Clark Award for Illustration for its artwork.

The illustrations are striking, using photography and paper cutouts to create an atmosphere that draws you into the scene. They’re thoughtfully designed and complement the story well. The story itself is engaging, based on a historical moment in Alice McKenzie’s childhood when she encounters an unusual bird. It offers a glimpse into New Zealand’s history in a way that’s accessible for kids.

Example of inside pages

For more context, you can listen to a 1959 Radio New Zealand interview with Alice McKenzie. I recommend this book for children under 8, particularly if you’re introducing them to New Zealand history. It’s a solid, well-put-together read.

Listen to Radio New Zealand's interview with Alice Mackenzie in 1959.

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