Author(s): Yvonne Morrison

New Zealand titles - children

Based on a true story, this beautiful book tells the tale of Sophia, a Maori guide on Lake Tarawera. SophiaÂs job was to show tourists the Pink and White Terraces  known as the eighth wonder of the world.

Nine days before the eruption of Mt Tarawera a group of tourists claimed to see a waka vanish on the lake. When the volcano erupted, on 10 June 1886, SophiaÂs village of Te Wairoa was almost completely covered in ash. Only SophiaÂs home and one other building survived. The beautiful terraces were destroyed. First published November 2005.