April 13, 2026 am Maria Artho’s book draws on her own experiences managing pest control on her Matakana property. Photo, Kate Little. A new book by Matakana author Maria Artho is using two lovable canine characters to deliver some important conservation messages to children.
Lost in the Wild: A Dogs’ Tale, aimed at three to eight year olds, is inspired by a true story and follows two small dogs lost deep in native bush. Blending adventure with education, it introduces young readers to the challenges wildlife face from introduced predators. Set in the Matakana district, the book draws heavily on Artho’s surroundings and personal experiences.
She shares her nature-focused lifestyle with her Swiss-born husband, a metal sculptor, and their lively extended family of nine grandchildren. The story centres on real-life dogs Maddi and Borrie, who encounter dangers including feral goats, a wild boar and a possum as they navigate rugged terrain. While the narrative carries a familiar, heart-warming Lassie Come Home tone, it also gently introduces children to the impact of invasive species on fragile ecosystems.
Artho, who is actively involved in local conservation efforts, hopes the book will help foster awareness among young readers. She manages pests such as rats and wasps around her property, while her husband focuses on possum control. Their work contributes to wider community efforts that recently saw kiwi successfully reintroduced to Tamahunga.
Illustrated by Sharon C Fergusson, the book features vibrant depictions of native bush life and includes a glossary to support learning. With the Government’s Predator Free 2050 goal in sight, Artho believes education is key and hopes to inspire the next generation to care for New Zealand’s unique wildlife and environment. Meet the authorDuring Conservation Week, author Maria Artho will give an after-school talk at Mahurangi East Library on Wednesday April 22, from 3.
30pm. She will also be available at Warkworth Library on July 6, at 10. 30 am.
There will be a book reading, activities, Q&A, a slideshow of predator species, bookmark giveaways and colouring-in pages.