Books published by Oratia Media

Award-winning children's author Philippa Werry teams up with leading Turkish illustrator Burak Akbay to tell a tale that crosses the battle lines of Gallipoli. Young girl Derya and her family move from Turkey to live in New Zealand, bringing with them family treasures including the water bottle that her greatgrandfather Hasan brought back from Gallipoli. At school she learns that her new friend Tom had a great-great-uncle who fought at Gallipoli. Together with their friend Airini they learn what happened when New Zealand and Turkish soldiers met there, and how an Anzac soldier gave the water bottle to Hasan after he was wounded. After attending an Anzac Day ceremony, the friends come home together and Tom's mum makes Anzac biscuits. 'Look at the three of us, ' Airini says. 'Many years ago our families fought each other, but now we can be friends.'

Weta, cricket, beetle and their other insect friends want to come along to school with the kids. But is it such a good idea? A class of excited children and a terrified teacher might be too much to handle. Following the style of Dawns Theres a Tui in our Teapot, which has sold strongly, this new collaboration with Stephanie Thatcher puts New Zealand insects into a fun context, in English and Māori.

Sir Singlet is clever with needle and thread. See all the cushions hes made for his bed Narrated by the heros nephew, Sir Singlet is about a knight with a difference hed rather create his new underwear range than fight the enemy. But the king has other ideas, leaving Sir Singlet with not enough time to get his new knightwear range into production. Will it stand the test of battle and help to win new fame for this most well-dressed hero?

The beloved myth of Rona and the Moon comes to 21st-century Aotearoa in English and Māori in Tim Tipenes sensitive interpretation, strikingly illustrated by Tai Tokerau artist Theresa Reihana. Rona Moon gets angry with everyone -- her brother, her nana and papa, and then one night she calls the moon stupid! Taken to meet her ancestor Whaea Rona on the moon, she learns a lesson in how to control her temper.

The New Zealand Division's capture of the French town of Le Quesnoy was its last and most successful action in the First World War. Breaking through defensive lines and scaling the town walls by ladder, the New Zealanders overwhelmed the defenders, freeing the town after years of German occupation. It was a victory that resounded around the world, and helped convince German high command they could no longer hold the front. Based on his intimate knowledge of the landscape and those involved, Dr Christopher Pugsley puts together the story with his mastery of drama and detail - producing a book that is thrilling at the same time as a tribute to the New Zealanders who died (and whose details are fully recorded here for the first time). Strikingly illustrated with maps, photographs and the stunning paintings of the battle by George Butler, Le Quesnoy 1918 is an inspiring read.

Going to school is a misery for Sean. Whatever he does to avoid the school bully, Mark Thomas and his mates always catch up with him. Then the students join Warrior Kids, a programme that teaches leadership and self-control. So begins a journey for Mark and Sean that has a predictable outcome for one boy and a surprise for the other.In this short novel for younger readers, Tim Tipene depicts the reality of bullying—and strategies to address it—for children on both sides of the problem.

High-school student Haki needs to find the pounamu that was stolen from him after a car crash by a mysterious old man who seems to know a lot about him. Hakis search brings him into conflict with his family, his friends and his school. In the process he must confront his fears and find a way to answer the challenge to serve his people and his land, fight a taniwha, and grow into a warrior. Kura Toa is a superb read for students in the 1216 age group that distils youth and indigenous issues into a seamless and easy-to-access narrative that has attracted a strong following in schools.

Where are the regions of New Zealand? How did they develop? What makes them special? Through maps, photos, fact boxes and simple text, Regions of New Zealand takes younger readers on a tour from Northland to Southland -- with fascinating insights into Māori rohe (regions), oldenday provinces and sports teams. Suitable for school-age kids or visitors.

Filming and cinema quickly won the hearts of New Zealand from the mid-1890s, yet the story of the cameramen and the film they took here and in the First World War has never been fully captured. The Camera in the Crowd does that in style, bringing to fruition years of original research and archival work by esteemed historian Christopher Pugsley. This authoritative work, told with Pugsleys brilliant and engaging style, features over 350 photos and illustrations many of them precisely linked to early filming. It tells the fascinating story of early film and filmmakers, deploying links to websites where film can be seen, and featuring a still image on each page than can be flipping pages in the manner of old-style flip books. Beautifully written, designed and printed, this is a major publication.