Explorer Zach & Moko's Hideout
- Kirsten Edwards
- Dec 13, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 27
Author: Elsie Locke
Illustrators: David Waddington
In this post, I am reviewing two picture books by Elsie Locke. The first one is Explorer Zach.
Elsie Locke’s Explorer Zach, first published in 1978, is a delightful picture book that captures the spirit of adventure through the eyes of eight-year-old Zach and his loyal dog. Set in rural Canterbury, New Zealand, at the turn of the 20th century, this heartwarming tale follows Zach as his mother entrusts the family dog to guide him safely on his explorations and back home. But can the dog live up to her trust?
This charming story brims with historical flavour, introducing young readers to a vivid cast of characters Zach encounters on his journey. The black-and-white ink illustrations, with their fine detail, beautifully complement the text, evoking the simplicity and wonder of a bygone era. Locke’s storytelling weaves a sense of independence and curiosity that will captivate children and spark their imagination.
The edition reviewed here is the 1990 softcover, a more accessible reprint compared to the original 1978 hardcover, which features a striking dark red dust jacket. Both versions preserve the book’s timeless appeal.
Explorer Zach is a gem of a living history storybook, perfect for young readers aged 5–8. Its engaging narrative, relatable protagonist, and gentle depiction of rural New Zealand make it an ideal read-aloud for families or classrooms. I found no content concerns, making it a wholesome choice for children.
A few page examples...
Excerpt from the back cover: "Four easy-to-read stories about New Zealand animals and birds by one of the country's best-known children's writers. Ugly Little Paua, Moko's Hideout, To Fly to Siberia, and Tricky Kelly."
Published in 1976, Moko's Hideout by Elsie Locke is a collection of four short stories celebrating New Zealand’s wildlife. As one of the country’s most beloved children’s authors, Locke shines in these accessible tales, originally crafted for young readers. The stories include:
Ugly Little Paua: A young paua discovers that beauty lies within, despite its rough exterior.
Moko’s Hideout: Siblings nurture a rescued native lizard in their kitchen, learning about care and responsibility.
To Fly to Siberia: A young godwit prepares for its epic migratory journey (originally published in the School Journal).
Tricky Kelly: Two mischievous keas stir up trouble for mountain trampers.
Each story is educational and engaging, offering insights into New Zealand’s unique fauna with Locke’s signature warmth and clarity. However, the book’s production quality disappoints. The illustrations, while evocative, feel dated and are poorly served by the low-quality paper, particularly in the darker hues of “Ugly Little Paua.” This detracts from the overall experience, especially for a writer of Locke’s calibre.
Moko’s Hideout is a solid choice for children aged 6–9 interested in nature, but it falls short of being a standout due to its presentation. If you spot a copy at a book fair, it’s worth picking up for its informative stories, but I wouldn’t recommend seeking out a costly collector’s edition.
Moko's Hideout is a compilation of four short nature stories all written by Elsie Locke. It was published in 1976. One of the stories, To Fly to Siberia, was originally published in the School Journal.
"Ugly Little Paua" is about a young paua growing up and realising although he is ugly and black on the outside, he is beautiful and colourful on the inside. "Moko's Hideout" is about a rescued native lizard and how some New Zealand siblings raise it in their kitchen. "To Fly to Siberia" is about a young Godwit getting ready to begin her first flight, and "Tricky Kelly" is about two bored keas hassling some trampers in the mountains.
The stories are great and informative, but sadly the publishing quality lets the book down. I found the illustrations dated and hard to decipher against the poor paper quality, especially the darker colours of "Ugly Little Paua". I feel this is a real letdown for such an excellent children's writer.
Some page examples...
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