Author(s): Huia Publishers, Scott Pearson (Illustrator)

Summer Reading Guide 2024

When Coach’s whistle goes missing and the football team can’t practise, Ollie and his new friend, Āria, lead the search. There are clues about where the whistle might be and who took it – missing shoelaces, a dropped leaf and twig, some mud and a chewed net. It takes a while for the rest of the team to follow Ollie, who’s got great detective skills, as they find him hard to understand because of his cleft. But Āria’s used to identifying bird calls, and she encourages their teammates to really listen. Together, they learn about each other’s strengths, teamwork and acceptance, and they find the whistle in a surprising place.

This book delves into some of the feelings children with a cleft may experience and aims to open up a conversation. It includes a section with quotes from the youth advisory group about living with a cleft and information about what a cleft is and where to find support.