Sarah Hart was pregnant with her second child when her husband, bricklayer Edward Hart, stole food to feed his hungry family. On the run for 17 months, when captured he served six years on board prison hulks. After his release the family searched for a better life and found it offered by the New Zealand Company. They arrived the year after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi after a four month voyage.

Eliza was their first New Zealander, born in 1846. A mother of 12, she became a suffragist and actively sought the vote for women, which was granted after a ‘monster petition’ was presented to Parliament in 1893.

This bilingual book spans Eliza’s life, from poverty, emigration, elections, illegitimate children, women and the vote, the trial of Minnie Dean and the formation of the National Council of Women, concluding the month following the start of World War I.

THIS BOOK INCLUDES: * New Zealand timeline * World suffrage timeline * Suffrage activities * classroom activities * Suffrage quiz * glossary * index * fact boxes throughout.

REVIEW: "This story of Eliza is an introduction for young readers (7 - 14) into the whole topic of suffrage, women's suffrage in particular. 2018 is 125 years since women first achieved the right to vote. This book is itself a celebration, showing younger generations some of the struggles people, especially women, went through to win this right... The text, in both English and te reo, is on right-facing pages complete with period-setting illustrations by Helen Casey." Reviewed by Chris Wright (Bookrapt).

Author: Debbie McCauley Illustrator: Helen Casey Translator: na Tamati Waaka i whakamaori Designer: Sarah Elworthy Publisher: Mauao Publishing (Tauranga) First Published: 28 November 2018 ISBN: 9780473449469 - RRP: $37.95

Mauao Publishing is an indie business passionate about connecting Aotearoa’s tamariki with beautifully produced books telling stories from our own backyard.