Alaga'upu Fa'asamoa ma Uiga mo Tamaiti: Samoan Proverbs for ChildrenTauanu'u Perenise Tapu Sitagata

Designed to introduce children to the rich cultural heritage of Samoa, this book conveys proverbs that guide family life, leadership, education, spirituality, the environment and more.

Distinguished educator and translator Tauanu'u Perenise Tapu Sitagata joins with artist Ani Huia Ligaliga to present 30 Samoan proverbs for children.Each proverb is presented in Gagana Samoa and English above an illustration, with bilingual explanations below.

Tauanu'u is an esteemed educator and his passion for his language and teaching shines in this book. There's a lovely range of proverbs and themes, covering every aspect of life. His explanations are succinct and informative. It may have been helpful to include a pronunciation guide, however it encourages readers learning Samoan to seek out help and other resources to build their fluency.

Ligaliga's artwork is beautiful, bringing Samoa to life on the pages. Her artwork is bold and colourful, with repetitive motifs and symbols used across the pages. Characters, of every generation, move through different phases of life to represent the meaning behind each proverb.

This will be a fantastic resource in educational settings - from early childhood to tertiary, formal and informal settings. It's great for those beginning to learn the language, not just for the language aspect but for learning more about the culture. For those more advanced in the language, it's a great resource to expand your knowledge. It's a lovely way to bring a little piece of Samoan into your home for those living outside of the country.

Alaga'upu Fa'asamoa ma Uiga mo Tamaiti is a highly valuable Pasifika resource for everyone, regardless of age or ethnicity.

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Oratia Books