Te Ngahere I te Ra / The Forest By Day - Kiri Lightfoot

As the sun rises, which creatures come to life and greet the day?

This beautiful picture book explores the busy world of the daytime creatures in Aotearoa New Zealand's bush.

It includes many reo Māori phrases that we use to great others. Kai pai te rā!

From the author and illustrator of the best-selling companion book Te Ngahere i te pō.

Perfect for:
- reading aloud
- exploring every image for details of the bush
- searching the images for tūī, the kaitiaki of the ngahere
- learning greeting words and phrases in reo Māori

Praise and awards for Te Ngahere i te pō

SHORTLISTED: NZ BOOKLOVERS AWARD FOR BEST CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK 2026
STORYLINES NOTABLE BOOK AWARD 2025

'Of all the bilingual formats in print, this story best reflects the current vernacular. The mix of English and te reo Māori, with neither language dominating, is what you might hear in a school playground, neighbourhood cafe or any context where Kiwis use kupu they feel comfortable with incorporating in conversation.' Ann Packer, NZ Listener

'The minimal text is ideal for a younger audience, but the book could equally be shared within junior primary school as an introduction to Aotearoa New Zealand wildlife. Further information of each of the native species is found at the back of the book. Highly recommended.' Elaine Wills, Library Manager, Enner Glynn School, Nelson, Read NZ

'The stunning full page realistic coloured illustrations of the nocturnal creatures by talented illustrator Pippa Keel Situ show them bathed in the soft magical light of the moon. This soothing, gentle story would make a perfect bedtime read for tamariki.' Lyn Potter, NZ Booklovers

Author bio:

Kiri Lightfoot is the author of Bear, a YA novel and three picture books Ming's Iceberg, Every Second Friday and Te Ngahere i te pō The Forest in the Night. She has worked as a scriptwriter in children's television and as an actor both for theatre and screen. Kiri is now a mother of three school-aged children and lives in central Auckland. This story was inspired by a nighttime walk in the Waitākere Ranges with a Department of Conservation ranger. Writing books for children and young adults is Kiri's dream job but she would also love to work in conservation. Her happy place is in the forest and she is constantly inspired by the natural world.