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When I was asked to write a review for Lee Murray's Battle of the Birds book I looked forward to it because I love birds. Feeding, drawing, painting, photographing, visiting them in sanctuaries, and reading about them - that's me.

I see birds every day in my garden involved in dramas. Although they can be loving, a large part of their time is taken up with establishing pecking orders both with members of their own and other species; this book is believable.

The cover of Battle of the Birds, (Te Pakanga o nga manu) is bright and inviting. Illustrator Vonnie Sterritt depicts bird feathers in rainbow hues with Maori motifs. People pick up books often because of their covers. To have one that has the tactile bonus of being produced on velvety feeling board gave me the sensation similar to touching bird's feathers.

I liked the black and white bird illustrations so much that I wanted to see more of them at the start and end of every chapter.

Lee wrote Battle of the Birds while being mentored by editor Barbara Murison and I feel this helped with it's swift pace. A successful story needs to have an immediate hook and to be tightly constructed because younger readers don't like waffle. There is plenty of conflict and drama especially in the battle scene along with softer and humorous moments which made me care about what a happened to the characters.

There are twenty characters in the story, many of them with Maori names. This could be confusing to some readers, but Lee has solved this challenge by having them all listed at the front of the book. She has also included a glossary of Maori terms at the back which is a great educational aid.

Lee's ability transport me into the different New Zealand scenes by her vivid word pictures and attention to detail are in my opinion her chief writing strengths. Descriptions of flying on top of Ken the bald American Eagle and soaring in a hot air balloon, made me feel like was there with Annie, the heroine.

For an exciting, fast paced read that is educational and imaginative you would be rewarded by buying your own copy of Battle of the Birds which is being launched in September 2011. Birds are big at the moment which will help it to be popular choice for schools and the buying public. You can order your copy from www.taramea.maori.nz

Tauranga Writers member Janet Keen is a Rotorua based artist, teacher photographer and writer with a particular interest in birds. http://janetkeen.blogspot.com