MOTHER EARTH AND THE QUAKEIA BABIES<br><b>Michelle Lagatule and Rose Spijkerman, illustrations Brendon Wright</b><br><i>Elemental Books</i>
The idea is good: Mother Earth is looking for her false teeth and as she stomps around questioning her children (named after affected parts of Canterbury) the world shakes and suffers.
The text doesn't really flow but it's the message that counts. An activity book helps children know how to act in a quake and what should be in an emergency kit. Ages: 2+.
- Laura Hewson is an Allied Press subeditor and mother.
