Gangbare naam: Bruce Potter
Geslacht: male
Land (voor op de kaart): New Zealand
Geboorteplaats: South Africa
Woonplaatsen: Tuakau, New Zealand
Beroepen: artist
art teacher
Korte biografie: Bruce is known for his realistic style and fine detail but he also has a background in cartooning and caricature for a number of newspapers around the world. He has worked for many years as an art teacher in adult education and as a specialist portrait painter. He has performed on stage in musicals such as Les Miserables, Chess, Jesus Christ Superstar etc where he played the lead roles (in NZ). Bruce is also an internationally ranked powerlifter, having got the bronze medal at the 2009 World Masters Bench Press Champs, is the current New Zealand Bench Press Champion and holds a world record in the two-man deadlift with the International All Round Weightlifting Association.

Leden

Besprekingen

Battle at the Gate door Jenny Jenkins

In 1869 British warships began landing soldiers in Tauranga, and local Maori built a pa in defence. On April 29th almost 2000 soldiers attacked the pa after it had been shelled all day by heavy artillery. The 200 Maori inside the pa fought back the British charging into the pa, and won the battle. This book is loosely based on the legend that someone provided the wounded British soldiers with water that night. From the Tauranga City Libraries website page: The Battles of Gate Pa (Pukehinahina) and Te Ranga “Perhaps the most often retold tale of the battle concerns that night. The wounded, including Lieutenant Colonel Henry Booth of the 43rd Light Infantry, lay in the pa calling for water. And water was indeed given to them, not by the soldiers, but, so the story goes, by a young Maori woman, Heni Te Kirikaramu also known as Heni Pore or Jane Foley, whose compassion is remembered to this day. It must, however, be acknowledged that although Colonel Booth is said before he died to have told Dr Manley that a Maori woman who spoke English gave him water, and she too, made this claim some 30 years later, there are those who believe that it was Henare Taratoa who took pity on the wounded. It is he who is depicted on the monument to the dead of Gate Pa in the mission cemetery, and also in the window of Bishop Selwyn’s Lichfield Cathedral in England. Unfortunately his death at the battle of Te Ranga in June 1864 prevented the confusion from being cleared up.” Heni’s story, if true, is poignantly told by Jenny Jenkins in this beautifully produced book. Bruce Potter’s illustrations serve to bring the story to life. Whatever the truth of the tale, this book is a great contribution to the story of The Battle of Gate Pa, Tauranga, New Zealand.… (meer)

Gemarkeerd

DebbieMcCauley | Jul 6, 2011 |

Nga Taniwha i te Whanga-nui-a-tara door Moira Wairama

A Te Reo (Māori) version of 'The Taniwha of Wellington Harbour'

This is a retelling of the Māori legend of how Wellington Harbour in New Zealand was formed. In ancient times two Taniwha, Whātaitai and Ngake lived in a beautiful lake. Whātaitai was a gentle easy-going taniwha while Ngake was vigorous and turbulent. Ngake decided that he wanted to break free of the lake and journey into the ocean. He invited Whātaitai to come with him, but he refused and they argued. Ngake swam in great circles around the lake to build up speed and then swam southwards and smashed through into the open sea. Bruised and bleeding he swam off into the vast ocean, leaving the sea to surge through the gap and create a harbour. Whātaitai belatedly decided to join him but as the tide is going out he becomes stranded. For many generations he is stuck until a great earthquake lifts him up.

This lovingly written story is beautifully illustrated by Bruce Potter. There is an author’s note, glossary and map of the Wellington Harbour. Very enjoyable, sure to become a classic.… (meer)

Gemarkeerd

DebbieMcCauley | 1 andere bespreking | May 8, 2011 |

The Taniwha of Wellington Harbour door Moira Wairama

This is a retelling of the Māori legend of how Wellington Harbour in New Zealand was formed. In ancient times two Taniwha, Whātaitai and Ngake lived in a beautiful lake. Whātaitai was a gentle easy-going taniwha while Ngake was vigorous and turbulent. Ngake decided that he wanted to break free of the lake and journey into the ocean. He invited Whātaitai to come with him, but he refused and they argued. Ngake swam in great circles around the lake to build up speed and then swam southwards and smashed through into the open sea. Bruised and bleeding he swam off into the vast ocean, leaving the sea to surge through the gap and create a harbour. Whātaitai belatedly decided to join him but as the tide is going out he becomes stranded. For many generations he is stuck until a great earthquake lifts him up.

This lovingly written story is beautifully illustrated by Bruce Potter. There is an author’s note, glossary and map of the Wellington Harbour. Very enjoyable, sure to become a classic.… (meer)

Gemarkeerd

DebbieMcCauley | 1 andere bespreking | May 8, 2011 |

Bekijk meer besprekingen