Elwyn’s Dream

The true story of bird enthusiast Elwyn Welch and his small bantam hen and their fascinating journey in the late 1950’s to help save the takahe, the New Zealand native bird that was once thought to be extinct. A warm gentle narrative that promotes universal themes of conservation and sustainability.

On one level, Elwyn’s Dream is an interesting historical tale, but on another level it speaks of the importance of nurturing and caring for young children with the repetitive refrain, ‘An egg is an egg wand a chick is a chick, and they must be kept warm no matter what!”

Elwyn’s Dream was the winner of the Mitre 10/New Zealand Conservation Foundation Story Competition and has also been selected as part of the Fairfax First books initiative for 2014, a programme for underprivileged New Zealand children.

“Elwyn’s Dream… by Ali Foster, with outstanding illustrations by Viv Walker is a charming humorous story that tells how one man tried to save the takahe from extinction… ” Zoo Alive magazine

“Elwyn’s Dream… tells a true story with such literary and visual charm that little ones will demand a second reading and their parents won’t feel it’s a chore… a charming read with a great message, a great story and great pictures. What more could anyone want from a picturebook?” Ian Jevons, Wairarapa Times Age