Maori Tales of Long Ago is a newly published facsimile edition of a classic collection of 16 stories adapted from Maori mythology for a young readership. The tales were originally published by A.W. & A.H. Reed during the late 1940s in two hardback volumes, Maori Tales of Long Ago and Wonder Tales of Maoriland. Best-sellers of their time, they gave a generation of New Zealand children a lyrical introduction to the world of Maori mythology. In each story, a myth is narrated and brought to life by genial old Popo, the village storyteller and friend of the chief's son and daughter, Rata and Hine. This edition faithfully keeps the charming original drawings by A.S. Paterson, including eight colour plates. It contains a new foreword from David Simmons, a distinguished ethnologist, former assistant director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and author of several books on Maoritanga.

Author Biography

Alexander Wyclif ('Clif') Reed was born a century ago. Educated in Auckland, he joined his uncle A.H. ('Alf') Reed in a new business that, as A.H. & A.W. Reed, would play a central role in New Zealand publishing. The author of more than 200 books, Clif is remembered best for his children's tales, among which Myths and Legends of Maoriland won the 1947 Esther Glen award. Clif Reed died in 1979. Alan Stuart Paterson (1902-1968) worked as staff cartoonist for the Dominion newspaper for 25 years and illustrated several books.