Book preview and Samoan Language Week
Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa / Samoa Language Week, 28 May - 3 June 2023
The theme for Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa 2023 is ‘Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga’ which means ‘Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity’.
The overarching theme for Pacific Language Weeks 2023 is sustainability, to help keep our Pacific languages, cultures and identities thriving in Aotearoa. Learn more about Pacific Language Weeks from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
We are also proud to share a new video about village life in the Pacific Islands from the Auckland Libraries YouTube channel.
And we encourage you to stay connected with Pasifika news and upcoming events on the Auckland Libraries Talanoa Facebook page!
New release from Auckland Libraries
O Leilani ma lona Fale’oloa / Leilani’s Shop
O Leilani ma lona Fale’oloa by Natasha W. Tavita Vaaelua tells the story of Leilani’s dream and creativity, lovingly shared with her mother. Find this beautifully illustrated picture book in our library catalogue or watch it being read by the author on our Auckland Libraries YouTube channel!
From the back cover:
‘Tinā, sa fai la’u miti fai mai o le telē ia o lo’u fale’oloa.’
O le fale’oloa i le miti a Leilani sa fausia i atigi pusa pepa malō ma pepa lanu. Sa faailoa e Leilani i lona tina nisi o oloa sa maua ai e pei o falaoa, pa’u fai ulu ma fasimoli. Ae faamata la e mo’i lea fale’oloa pe sa na o se miti lava?
‘Mum, I dreamed I had a great big shop!’
Leilani’s shop is built with cardboard and pieces of different coloured paper. She shows her mother what she has inside. There’s bread and hair ties and soap. But is Leilani’s shop just a dream, or is it real?
Fa’aliliuina i le Gagana Peretania / Translated into English by Veronica Ligaliga
Ata tusia / Illustrated by Ani Huia Ligaliga
Published by Auckland Council Libraries
Read about other recent books published by Auckland Council Libraries in our blog post.
Spotlight on new Samoan books
Veronica Ligaliga, Senior Librarian Pacific Content at Auckland Libraries
New and forthcoming books that reflect the theme of Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa 2023:
Mitamita i lau gagana, maua’a lou fa’asinomaga –
Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity.
O tusi mo tagata mātutua – Books for adults
a-wake-(e)nd – Audrey Brown-Pereira
What does it mean to be a good Pacific woman? Audrey doesn't care. In her third collection, acclaimed poet Audrey Brown-Pereira turns a lens to her own life, transforming a mid-life crisis into opportunity. By pulling at the threads of her life, the narrator finds herself asserting independence, tasting delicious freedom ... and wanting more.
Constructing Sa-Moana Contextual Theology: Methodology and Application –Ama’amalele Tofaeono, Ioelu N. Onesemo
Drawing from the indigenous and post-modern strands of Sa-Moana cultural and religious traditions, this work exposes, critiques and establishes new models for doing theology in context.
Fuesina O Le Tala Lelei: Ta'iala Mo Sauniga Lotu – Ama’amalele Tofaeono
Tusiata o le Tala o le Vavau: Artists of the Forever Stories – Linda Va'aelua
Tusitala o le Tala o le Vavau is a homage to pioneering and hugely important – if underacknowledged – Samoan artist Iosua To'afa, illustrator of 1976's iconic Tala o le Vavau: Myths and Legends of Samoa. It also showcases original work by nine contemporary Aotearoa-based Samoan visual artists, all inspired by the 1976 book and To'afa's art.
Germans in Samoa, 1860-1914 – Kasia Renae Cook
In the nineteenth century, the Navigator Islands of Samoa became the home of thousands of German immigrants looking for a better life. From runaway or shipwrecked sailors to planters, missionaries, and mail-order brides, each individual had a story and a unique influence in the islands.
Sāmoan Proverbs / Alagā'upu ma Muāgagana a Sāmoa – Tuiātaga Fa'afili A.L Fa'afili
This collection of more than 1,000 Samoan Proverbs and Proverbial sayings (Alaga'upu / Muagagana), with translations in English, serves as a useful reference for Samoan oratory, poetry and formal speeches.
Fono: The Contest for the Governance of Sāmoa – Peter Swain
O tusi mo tamaiti – Books for kids
White Sunday – Litea Fuata
Every year in October, Sina and her family celebrate White Sunday. It's a day when the children are celebrated at church and they get to read, sing, perform and dance in front of the community. There's also a feast after, and the kids eat first! A beautifully illustrated, heart-warming story for kids aged three and up.
Halu Bongo! – Lani Young
Bella loves her best friend Bongo, very much. But not everyone in the village is as fond of him as she is. "Halu Bongo!" is their favorite phrase. Until one day, an unwelcome visitor comes to the village...
Mata Lulu: stories from Samoa for children – Lani Young
A collection of short stories from Samoa. Recommended for ages eight to 12 years. Ranging from fantasy, adventure, 'spooky', historical, sci fi and humorous, these stories are written in English with some basic Samoan words and commonly used phrases.
Pacific Islands: Sāmoa – Jane Va'afusuaga
The islands of Sāmoa are full of rich history and culture. This book describes the history, customs, geography and culture of the people who live there, and provides authentic vocabulary for an immersive experience.
Grandpa's Siapo – Dahlia Malaeulu
Grandpa and Luka share the same birthday and today they get to celebrate it with the whole 'āiga. Grandpa is also a storyteller and surprises his grandchildren with a Samoan Siapo that tells a very special story about Samoa's journey to independence.
Out of the Egg / Fofoa Mai Le Fuamoa – Tina Matthews
You think you know the tale of the Little Red Hen. You think you know how it ends. But in this story everything changes when the hard-working Red Hen lays a perfect white egg. And out of this egg comes a chick with a mind of her own. An award-winning title now translated into an English and Samoan bilingual edition.
Sina's Busy Day and Luka Looks – Dahlia Malaeulu
Bilingual series by Sandra Fatu Nu'u
Sandra Fatu Nu'u’s bilingual books encourage the use of every day Samoan language, helping readers to teach themselves by using simple English translations to assist. See the titles below.
Watch Village Life in the Pacific Islands
A new video from Auckland Council Libraries explores village life in the Pacific Islands, from language, culture and food to religion and education.
In a series of interviews, we hear about life in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and Rotuma – and how it compares to living in Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa. A Malualii Production.
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