The dream factorY •
Te Wheketere MoemoeĀ
By Steph Matuku
Published by Huia Publishers
An amazing building rises on the edge of town – it’s the dream factory. Every night, it sends out magical mist. Flying cars, flower cakes and talking tigers fill people’s dreams. And the next day, the people make those dreams come true. But when a kererū flies into the dream factory, and a feather floats into a cog, everything goes terribly wrong.
32 pages, colour // Soft cover // Readers 5-8 yrs // Purchase here
Available in English and Te Reo Māori
“Illustrations that satisfy your eye and enhance the story. Zak Ātea’s terrific artwork does exactly that. She uses a sublime combination of a mood-rich, colour palette and fascinating detail – an exquisite mix.”
— Paula Green, Poetry Box.
“What happens to the dreamers when the source of their fantastic nightly visions, the dream factory, breaks down? With their deep blues and glowing pinks, Zak Ātea’s whimsical and gorgeous illustrations work in glorious harmony with Steph Matuku’s words to invite readers into a magical world packed with lush visual detail.”
— NZYCA, Book Awards Trust.
Finalist Russel Clarke Award for Illustration, NZ Book Awards for Children & Young Adults
2024, The Dream Factory
I Te Ao, I Te Pō
Collaboration with Twelve
Self Published
Issue 10: In Light and Darkness
‘I Te Ao, I Te Pō, In Light and Darkness’ is a sculptural illustrated retelling of the Māori creation story of Papatūānuku (the earth mother) and Ranginui (the sky father). Encased with karakia, we are reminded to give thanks to the world we inhabit, the sacrifices Papa and Rangi made so that our could be born, and how one cannot have light without darkness.
Colourfield Snow White 135 & 250 gsm // Hard cover // Flag bound//
INTUIT
Self published
Intuit' is a graphic novel/artist book that explores the expansive and powerful mechanism of a human's intuitive sense. Through illustration, the phenomenon that is intuition is thrust into a tangible light as we follow Isla on a journey of self discovery, as she redefines the importance of intuition and the impact it can have in our everyday lives. The unseen is explored with UV light and inks, whimsical digital illustration, and back to front publication reading directions, as Isla discovers her greatest power lies within the confines of her own mind, body and soul.
96 pages, colour // 200 x 240 mm // Digital version here
The whale
Written by Witi Ihimaera
Adapted from Witi Ihimaera’s original story ‘The Whale’, this short sequential illustration tells the story of a Kaumātua reflecting on his life and his fading culture as tangata whenua Māori, as he approaches the end of his life. Bringing this story to life through digital illustration, publication and shifting of gender roles within the story to create a short, intimate retelling of the New Zealand authors best works.
12 pages, colour // 148 x 210
All rise
Written by Simon Cooke
Published by Lift Education E Tū
Featured in Lift Educations November 2022 edition of the School Journal for 10-11 year olds. Everyone knows the story of the Little Red Hen. Undervalued. Overworked. A feathery legend from down on the farm...with a twist.
7 pages, colour // 148 x 210 mm
