John Joe's Tune

Brilliantly illustrated by Christine Ross (the fine pencil detail and colour palette are gorgeous), this book is a must have for New Zealand school libraries. Exploring the creative beginnings of our national anthem, it gives children a window into our past. Tania Atkinson has done a great job of overlaying a rhyming narrative onto a real story. I especially love the factual section in the back. It's packed with lovely Victorian details, but for me the raggedy ginger cat is the star of the show.