Barbara J. Raymond loves birds, especially New Zealand birds, because she herself is a kiwi! While growing up in New Zealand, she barely appreciated or even noticed the wonderful birds around her. When she met her husband, while hiking the Milford Track in the South Island, he pointed out these lovely birds. Only then, did she recognize the treasure trove of birdlife to which she had such easy access. Now, as a mum of seven, and so far, a grandmum of ten, she wants to share these beautiful and sometimes quirky birds with other children. Some of the birds featured in this book are critically endangered and others are dwindling in numbers. Fortunately, some are not at risk, and sharp-eyed kids can spot these birds in backyards, the woods, paddocks, and riverbeds.

 

Through her own childhood experiences, the author knows how cruel kids can sometimes be. She hopes Willowby Wrybill's story of being bullied by the Weka Brothers will encourage children to understand that being different is okay. She especially hopes children, and adults, will realize it is actually much easier to be nice than mean. Making friends by showing kindness rather than hurting feelings with cruel words can make everyone feel so much better.