Lift Education Award for Best Educational Book or Series – Primary 2024
Finalist
Designers: Kat Quin and Chelsea McKirdy, Illustrated Publishing
Title: Kuwi & Friends He Puka Ngohe — Activity Book
Publisher: Illustrated Publishing
Format: 297 x 210mm, 104pp. Section sewn in 16, Drawn-on cover with 90mm flap on front cover only. Text on 140gsm woodfree stock, which is Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified, mixed source pulp from responsible sources. Paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) and manufactured under the IS014001 Environmental Management System.
Typography: Archer (Book) 9pt, 15pt Leading
Sub body 6.5pt, 7.8pt Leading
Dictionary Item TE REO MĀORI: Archer Bold 13pt 16pt Leading (lowercase)
Dictionary Item ENGLISH: Archer (Book) 9pt (lowercase)
Title (TE REO MĀORI): Gab Regular 32pt
Subtitle (ENGLISH): Strawberry 30pt
We had to build macron glyphs (for Māori text) into the title font Gab, as they were not in the original font.
“Our task was to develop a workbook drawing from the topics within the Kuwi & Friends Māori Picture Dictionary – He Papakupu Whakaahua to create an accessible activity book for those beginning their te reo Māori learning journey. The activity book needed to be filled with challenges and games, utilising visual cues to aid in language retention.”
Judges’ comments Sliding seamlessly into the family of Kuwi & Friends books, this activity book continues the exuberant and energetic mix of Kat Quins cute illustrations that are cleverly paired with playful typography and activity design. Under this playfulness is a carefully crafted design system, with typographic and informational design choices which effortlessly supports the exploration and learning of te reo for a young audience & whanau alike. The choice of matte paper stock, and the engaging soft colour palette – not forgetting its sturdy binding – sets it up for a book with many many hours of learning and fun packed between its covers.
