Photo-packed introduction to the people, culture and identity of Fiji arrives in new bilingual book

Moana Oceania Series: Fiji - Viti
Tarisi Vunidilo

Despite Fiji being among the largest Pacific Island nations, there is a dearth of good books about the country in print. 

 

This fourth volume in the Moana Oceania Series aims to address that situation with highly illustrated text in English and Fijian.

 

Fijian–New Zealand educator Tarisi Vunidilo introduces the people, culture and identity of her homeland in simple terms in the colourful and informative Moana Oceania: Fiji - Viti.

 

The bilingual text offers insights into society, geography, legends, arts, history and language — outlining the values of Fiji’s people, and how families live and celebrate life. 

 

A section is dedicated to the more than 20,000 Fijians who live in New Zealand and how they remain connected to their culture.

The striking design with info boxes, colour photos, illustrations and maps make Fiji – Viti  fun to read — and it’s easy to relate the English to the Fijian text.

This and other books in the series are contributing to the use of indigenous languages: Fiji – Viti will hit the bookstores just before Fiji Day (the national day, on 10 October) and during Macawa ni Vosa VakaViti – Fijian Language Week, which runs from 6–12 October 2024. 

 

The author

Tarisi Vunidilo is a Fijian-New Zealand archaeologist and curator who specialises in indigenous museum and heritage management. Born in Suva, Fiji she has taught at universities in New Zealand, Fiji and Hawaii. She is currently an assistant professor at California State University, Los Angeles, and hosts the Talanoa with Dr T society and culture website.  

Publication Date: 10 October 2024 |  ISBN: 978-1-99-004240-9 |  RRP $29.99

Paperback, 230 x 170 mm portrait, 48 pages, colour

From Hawai'i to Aotearoa, new book shares the joy of Pacific toes in English and Samoan

Island Toes
Tamatama'i Vae o Motu

Christin Lozano
Illustrated by Mariko Merritt
Translated by Suzie-Jo Rasmussen

Toes are toes wherever you go, but toes around the Pacific Islands have even more things in common. 

 

They may be flipper toes or jandal toes, clean toes or highchair toes, snorkel toes or swimming underway toes — all around the Pacific, you know that you have island toes. 

This colourfully illustrated book takes young readers on a journey around the South Pacific — no shoes needed! 

First published in Hawai’i by Bess Press, Island Toes now reaches the South Pacific in Samoan as well as New Zealand English. 

Auckland teacher Suzie-Jo Rasmussen completed the Samoan translation for this, the newest addition to Oratia’s Moana Oceania series of books about the Pacific. 

And in honour of its US origins, the book is publishing on 4 July.

The authors

Christin Lozano began her career as a teacher and then became a children’s librarian. Having read hundreds of stories about kids in other places themes, she decided to write her own story for Pacific children.  A long-term resident of Hawai’i, Christin now lives in San Diego.

Mariko Merritt is a Hawaiian artist, book illustrator and graphic designer. Mariko works in a Honolulu bookshop, while making art, ceramics and picture books.

Suzie-Jo Rasmussen is an ESOL/bilingual specialist teacher. A resident of Oratia, Auckland, Suzie has been translating books and creating Samoan resources for children in bilingual education for more than 20 years. 

Publication: 4 July 2024 | ISBN: 978-1-99-004245-4 | RRP $21.00

Paperback, 230 x 215 mm portrait, 32 pages, colour

Bilingual books on Cook Islands–Kūki 'Airani and Sāmoa launch the new Moana Oceania Series

MOANA OCEANIA SERIES

COOK ISLANDS – KŪKI 'AIRANI

Jean Te Kura Mason

SĀMOA

Dahlia Malaeulu

Translated by Tapaau Auvaa

 

Cook Islands – Kūki ‘Airani : Jean Tekura Mason

Sāmoa : Dahlia Malaeulu

First two books in bilingual series by Pasifika authors and 

editors introducing the culture and landscapes of Polynesia 

Oratia Books is proud to announce a new series to bring bilingual reading about the South Pacific to children in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. 

Devised and delivered by Carolyn Lagahetau, Oratia’s Niuean-Kiwi editorial director, the Moana Oceania Series aims to address the lack of good reading materials about the South Pacific not only in English but also in local languages.

The non-fiction books that kick off the series provide an introduction to two Polynesian island nations, aimed at for readers aged 8 and over but accessible by all ages, and produced by Pasifika creatives.

Rarotonga-based author Jean Tekura Mason wrote both the English and Cook Islands Māori text of Cook Islands – Kūki ‘Airani to outline key aspects of life, culture and history in her country. 

 

This colourful paperback sets out the seven pillars of life in the Cook Islands, with concise text on key aspects of the nation including education, language, history, environment, art, sport and culture.

One focus of this and Sāmoa is how Pasifika peoples maintain and adapt their culture living in Aotearoa. 

 

Sāmoa author Dahlia Malaeulu provides a comprehensive overview of life for Samoans in the islands and in New Zealand, with her English text translated into Gagana Samoa by Tapaau Auvaa (the book includes a section on language basics).

An important feature is its explanation of Fa’asāmoa, the fundamental values of Samoan life, including connection to ‘āiga (family), nu’u (village), land and religion. 

 

Illustrated with full colour photographs and illustrations throughout,  and numerous boxes of information to make the text easy to access,  these first entries in the Moana Oceania Series bring the South Pacific closer to all of us.

The books are on sale from 15 February at good booksellers around New Zealand, the Cook Islands and Sāmoa.

 

The authors

Jean Tekura Mason (Ngāti Nurau, Ngāti Teakatauira) has been the curator and manager at the Cook Islands Library & Museum Society since 2005, and was formerly an officer of the Cook Islands Parliament. She is particularly interested in the arts, folklore and Māori etymology of the Cook Islands. Also a noted poet, Jean lives in Rarotonga.

Dahlia Malaeulu is a passionate educator and strong advocate for Pasifika children’s literature. She is an award-winning author and publisher of  Mila’s Books, which creates quality stories that reflect Pasifika children’s lives. Dahlia recently won the Creative NZ Pasifika Arts Emerging Artists award. She lives with her family in Wainuiomata, Wellington.

Publication: 15 February 2023  |  RRP $29.99

ISBN: (Cook Islands) 978-1-99-004221-8  (Sāmoa) 978-1-99-004222-5

 Paperback, 230 x 170 mm portrait, 48 pages, colour