Animals were much more than a source of food for early Maori - they were considered part of the great family to which we all belong. Some were cheeky, others were wise, while others still were dangerous and cunning. In some cases animals worked with humans to educate or guide.Yet they all had a role to play and a destiny to fulfil. In this beautiful book, Warren Pohatu introduces us to special members of our animal family and shares their stories with us. He retells legends of the past in which animals played a special part, and emphasises the bond we can all share.