Reviews: Pasifika Picture Books

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Mele Tonga-Grant reviews three fantastic Pacific themed titles. They are a love letter to our future, Matariki in a Sāmoan context, and a celebration of our differences. Gagana Sāmoa is sprinkled throughout two of the books and the third is bilingual in Sāmoan and English. Recommended reading for everyone no matter where you hail from.

Mataali‘i, by Dahlia Malaeulu, Darcy Solia & Liz Tui Morris (Mila’s Books)

This beautifully illustrated picture book, personifies the magic of our environment and highlights Samoan cultural values which are understood and shared across the Pacific.

There are not many Pacific stories about Matariki that are documented, so this story brings an opportunity for conversations about Matariki in the Sāmoan context into our homes. It serves as a spark of conversations about other stories about Matariki across the Pacific and how we can celebrate as Pacific peoples in Aotearoa and abroad.

The images introducing the matai depict them in a superhero-esque manner which is sure to resonate with our hero-loving young people.

Each character is a matai (chief) and represents different parts of the environment and time—the ocean, earth, rain, wind, fire, the past, the future, and the stars. The images introducing the matai depict them in a superhero-esque manner which is sure to resonate with our hero-loving young people. Each character’s name cleverly reflects the realm that they have guardianship over. It also weaves the different matai’s roles together in a playful and joyful way that reflects the way our seasons and environment work together when there is balance in nature. This reflects the roles we also play in looking after our environment.

The second half of the book shows some of the harsh realities and the more dangerous sides of the elements as well, with each matai as the hero, protecting Fetū—the main character. Each character becomes a star when they have sacrificed themselves to protect and save Fetū and so Fetū desperately tries to avoid being saved to keep the last of her older siblings with her. Fetū is reminded of her gift of love and why she must remain on earth while being guided by her siblings who have turned into stars.

It reminds children of the strength of love and service, the importance of taking care of our environment and being guided by them.

This is one of my new favourite books. It reminds children of the strength of love and service, the importance of taking care of our environment and being guided by them. It also personifies the environment as our ancestors whom we are guided by and the importance of continuing to share cultural knowledge and values so that our people and planet can also thrive.

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Alofa tele atu, by Dahlia Malaeulu & Evelina Simi (Mila’s Books)

Alofa tele atu is a love letter to our future.

While there is use of Sāmoan words throughout the book, (e.g. Tālofa, tautua, ‘āiga, manumea, alofa tele atu), the story itself transcends the language and is understood regardless of what language you speak—the narrative leads you to understand each word within the context of this story, without translation. This love letter is one that can be embraced across our Moana peoples.

Alofa tele atu is a love letter to our future.

Alofa tele atu brings past, present and future together, weaving our ancestors and how we remember them with our hopes and aspirations of our future, strengthened by the foundation of what makes the reader special and unique. The writing is timeless and can be appreciated regardless of the age of the reader or listener. It is a reminder of our ancestral knowledge “let our ancestors’ whispers guide your first steps”, a connector to the land the reader stands on, and our inheritance of culture as a superpower. This letter is an encouragement, at every stage of life, the importance of sitting and listening to our elders and the responsibility of passing on this letter to the next generation so that the legacy of who we are, as Pacific people, continues no matter where in the world we may be. 

It is a reminder of our ancestral knowledge […], a connector to the land the reader stands on, and our inheritance of culture as a superpower.

What first captivated me was the whimsical pictures and the colour palette, which bring a tenderness to the overall feel of the book and a sense of love and safety, even before reading. There are Pacific motifs placed within each page which carry deep symbolism and tell stories in themselves. The first image is a newborn baby’s hands being held by an adult, next is a toddler learning to walk, a primary aged kid, through to adolescence, youth, and adulthood, where the character is then preparing to welcome their own child. The cycle starts again with an adult holding a newborn’s feet. The images reiterate the cycle of life and the timelessness of the messages captured in this letter. 

This is a love letter of legacy—one that I will continue to read when I need a reminder and share with my mokopuna in future.

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Island Toes | Tamatama‘i Vae o Motu, by Christin Lozano & Mariko Merritt, translated by Suzie-Jo Rasmussen (Oratia)

A fun, bilingual book in English and Sāmoan language— all about toes. This story explores different types of toes, celebrating and highlighting differences as well as bringing unity because we all have toes. This book explores inclusivity beyond ethnicity, and includes diversity in age from babies through to grandparents, people who walk and people in wheelchairs. It also includes toes of different animals, who also have toes—except for the dolphin, of course!

This book lends itself as a great way to learn about opposites: “My toes, your toes. Clean toes, stinky toes.” using context that is universally understood regardless of language, upbringing or if the reader has been to the Pacific Islands. We collectively can understand getting tanned or sunburnt toes.

This book explores inclusivity beyond ethnicity

A clever little addition is in the back page where the reader is encouraged to stamp their own toes into the book, thus literally becoming part of the book. I can imagine the chaotic fun this would bring children and parents alike.

When reading the English version out loud, it had easy-to-follow meter and timing. It had a rhythmic flow that was engaging and repetitive, with verses that kept me captivated. It was fun to read with my children, who memorised the rhythm and by the end of the book, had added their types—quirky, different toes—as if it were a game.

I recommend this book, not only for learners of gagana Sāmoa, but to all people…

I really loved the way that each of the toes in the images were uniquely illustrated with their own character. Each set of toes different from the last, short and stubby, fat, long, differing shapes, sizes, colours, and accessories. This really solidified the idea of unity in our differences and celebrating that. 

I recommend this book, not only for learners of gagana Sāmoa, but to all people who like a fun story with rhythm, learning and celebration of uniqueness.

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