Book Review of Kaylee and Koru and the Long Way Home
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The Children’s Book Review
Kaylee and Koru and the Long Way Home
Written by Alister and Avery Mathieson
Illustrated by Funda May
Ages: 5-8 | 68 Pages
Publisher: Friesen Press (2026) | ISBN: 978-1-03-834475-5
What to Expect: Family, friendship, migration, natural habitats, diversity.
In this instructive chapter book for early readers, two very different birds serve as a way of illustrating lessons about diversity, natural habitats, and the value of friendship for transcending differences.
Kaylee the Canada Goose is really looking forward to her part in her family’s long migration south for the winter—but when a storm hits, she’s separated from her family and blown far off course. Instead of Mexico, she finds herself in the forests of New Zealand, far from her family and everything she knows and loves. Luckily, she makes new friends almost immediately—Koru, a flightless Kiwi bird, and Maia, a zoologist studying the New Zealand wildlife. The friends love having fun and learning together, so when Maia arranges for Kaylee to go home to Canada, everyone is sad—even though Kaylee misses her home and her family a lot. But Maia has a great idea—she and Koru can come too and see what Kaylee’s native habitat is like!
Kaylee and Koru live very different lives, but they become good friends because they are both kind, open to learning new things, and empathetic toward others. Their growing relationship is mirrored by that of Maia and the Inuit Mikki, who meets her when she lands in Canada. The short chapters are punctuated by vibrant illustrations of the two different habitats, from the snowy north to the lush New Zealand forests, helping readers picture the birds in their natural homes. As they follow the story, readers will learn a wealth of factual information about Māori and Inuit culture, bird migrations, and bird evolution.
Heartwarming and inspirational, the book is ideal for readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books and who love stories about unlikely friendships.
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About the Authors
This is Alister Mathieson’s sixth children’s book, co-written with his imaginative granddaughter, Avery. The inspiration for this story came from reading the Canadian novel The Strange One by Fred Bodsworth many years ago. He wanted to create a book that bridges his two homes: Canada, where he has happily lived for many years, and New Zealand, where he was born and spent his childhood and teenage years. Through the adventures of Kaylee and Koru, they explore the natural wonders of both places, intertwined with the rich stories of their indigenous peoples and the beauty of friendship that has no bounds.
This is Avery Mathieson’s first book, and she’s only eight! Working with her Poppie has been so much fun. She often sees flocks of Canada geese honking in the sky and says to Poppie, “That must be Kaylee and her family!” He just smiles with her. She hasn’t seen a kiwi yet, but she hopes Poppie will take her to New Zealand someday so she can meet Koru.
Alister and Avery will be donating the net proceeds from the sale.
To learn more, visit www.authoralistermathieson.com.
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