Moana Oceania Series: Cook Islands Kūki ‘Airani by Jean Tekura Mason
Moana Oceania Series: Sāmoa by Dahlia Malaeulu
Oratia Books has just launched the first two books in their Moana Oceania Series, one on the Cook Islands and the other on Samoa. What fabulous books these are! Aimed at readers 8 and over, these books are colourful, informative and bi-lingual.
Jean Tekura Mason lives in Rarotonga and has written both the English and Cook Island Māori text for the Cook Islands’ book. Jean covers off key aspects of life there, including culture, history, art, sport, language and education. Having recently spent some time in Rarotonga, I felt the book was a wonderful introduction to Cook Island culture and a book I wish I’d had before my visit. It's well-written and engaging.
Dahlia Malaeulu is Sāmoan, and in the book about Sāmoa, she also provides a comprehensive view of life on the islands. The English text is translated into Sāmoan by Tapaau Auvaa. The book explains the fundamental values of Sāmoan life and brings to life their rich heritage.
The Moana Oceania Series are a great size for travelling with, light, bright and colourful, and I’m sure they will be a big success in the islands and in Aotearoa. The text has everything you would want to know, and the photographs and book design brings the books to life. I look forward to seeing the next books in the series.
Reviewer: Karen McMillan
Oratia Books