New Zealand (Country Profiles), by Alicia Klepeis

While this is not the sort of book that is difficult to read–it is made for those between Grades 1 and 3 as an introduction to the countries of the world, after all–it is the sort of book that can help people figure out what they view as most important about nations. When we encourage others to be knowledgeable of and interested in the rest of the world, it can be worth seeing what other people think of as the most important qualities of a nation to share with new readers. And though there can be a lot of options to focus on that are less than immensely important, and sometimes even areas that are deeply troublesome to focus on, I think this book in general does a good job at showing useful areas of life in New Zealand to show to young readers. Those readers who want to learn more will be able to read more detailed books later on, if they wish. A book for young readers should reach them where they are and then give them accurate but an age-appropriate understanding of the area that will hopefully encourage more reading and more study later on.

How does this book succeed by that standard? I think, personally, that it succeeds very well. Unlike some books on the subject that I have read, the authors do not focus on the glorification of heathen religious standards or double standards in general that seem to attack the legitimacy of the perspective that readers will bring from their own personal and family backgrounds. Instead, the book focuses on areas that are broadly of interest to young readers in such a way that they can gain real understanding and also a framework of aspects of life that are worth knowing in general about other countries. That this sort of approach is not more common is a bit to be regretted, as there is a real need for books like this which can introduce the reader into a better understanding of the world without at the same time trying to indoctrinate them into a certain perspective of the world that would make them an insufferable young Progressive in the way that so many contemporary books seek to do. This is a book, therefore, that I can recommend, and one that is enjoyable to read even outside of one’s youth in the sense of how it can help present profiles of a somewhat obscure and isolated country that can give useful basic knowledge, leaving the political discussion to those of age to engage in such matters.

In terms of its contents, this book is 32 pages (a pretty common length for children’s books for young readers), and the unnumbered chapters of this book deal with the following subjects: Rotorua, the location of New Zealand, landscape and climate, wildlife, people, communities, customs, school and work, play, food, and celebrations. There is a timeline that helps ground the book in the chronology of New Zealand’s existence, which is fairly short as far as people are concerned. The book also provides facts about New Zealand, a glossary, sources where the interested reader can learn more, and an index of materials. The book contains numerous well-labeled photos that certainly would encourage many readers to want to take a trip to New Zealand, and to push their parents to do so, which is a reflection of the natural beauty of the country, it must be admitted.