Book excerpt: Vulnerable gods and goddesses Children born with unusual gifts The protection offered by Mountains Birds with bad timing Once Upon a Time in Aotearoa explores a world where mythological characters and stories become part of everyday life. Old and new worlds co-exist, cultures mingle and magic happens. Familiar characters appear, but in these versions the gods live in a contemporary world and are motivated by human concerns. In this perplexing world, characters connect with each other and find ancient wisdom that carries them through. 'Bold and sexy, this collection is a crafty combo of mystery and history that makes the old new.' Acclaimed playwright, author and literary judge David Geary 'I loved this book because the stories were wacky and entirely original but based upon blending contemporary and traditional values- so they were very thought provoking.' Brian Bargh, Huia Publisher