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Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Mallinson Rendel, 2007

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Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic Ltd, 1994

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…learn more Legends of the Cook Islands
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Illustrated by Bruce Potter
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2010

…learn more Two Cans of Corned Beef and a Manulele in a Mango Tree
Written by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa
Illustrated by Steve Dunn
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2004

…learn more Maui and the Big Fish
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Illustrated by Franc Lessac
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…learn more Ko Maui Mo e Fangufangú - Maui and the Nose Flute
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…learn more O La‘u Ā‘oga ‘Āmata - My Preschool
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…learn more O La‘u ‘Ato Ā‘oga – My School Bag
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Illustrated by Dwain Aiolupotea
Publisher Porirua, New Zealand: Samoana Early Education Development Services Ltd (SEEDS)

…learn more Lama I le Pō - Night Fishing for my Birthday
Written by Tuala F. Tiresa Malietoa
Illustrated by Vaioleti Samata Uili
Publisher Apia, Samoa: Nui Leaf Publications, 2003

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Illustrated by Regina Meredith
Publisher Apia, Samoa: Niu Leaf Publications, 2005

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Edited by Tessa Duder
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Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: HarperCollins, 2001

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Publisher North Shore, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2008

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Illustrated by Bruce Potter
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2006

…learn more Papa’s Jandals
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Illustrated by Bruce Potter
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2010

…learn more The Peace Bird
Written by Eleitino Paddy Walker
Illustrated by Nanette Lela‘ulu
2011

…learn more Pou and Miri Tackle Climate Change
Written by Dom Sansom
Publisher Fiji: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2011

…learn more Selafina
Written by Catherine Hannken
Illustrated by Trish Bowles
Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Mallinson Rendel, 2003

…learn more Sina and Tinilau
Written by Vilsoni Hereniko
Illustrated by Jasper Schreurs
Publisher Suva, Fiji: Institute of Pacific Studies, University of South Pacific in association with the Fiji Writers’ Association, 1997

…learn more Sione’s Talo
Written by Lino Nelisi
Illustrated by Elspeth Williamson
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic Ltd, 1993

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Illustrated by Tony Rush
Publisher New Zealand: Paua Publishing, 2002

…learn more Sole! White Sunday
Written by Fata and Paula Letoa
Illustrated by Tony Rush
Publisher New Zealand: Paua Publishing, 2002

…learn more Talia
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Illustrated by Trish Bowles
Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Mallinson Rendel, 2009

…learn more Tane Te Whetū o te Ra - Tane steals the show
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Illustrated by Gus Hunter
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Scholastic, 1997

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Illustrated by Mere Whaanga-Schollum
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic, 1990

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Written by Makerita Urale
Illustrated by Samuel Sakaria
Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts Ltd for the Pacific Education Resources Trust, 1999

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Written by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa
Illustrated by Bruce Potter
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2007

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Written by Rafe Martin
Illustrated by David Shannon
Publisher New York, USA: Scholastic Press, 2001

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Written by Gillian Torckler
Illustrated by Bruce Potter
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2008

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Written by Tim Tipene
Illustrated by Jennifer Cooper
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 1999

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Illustrated by Denise Durkin
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2003

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Written by Joy Cowley
Illustrated by Manu Smith
Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic Ltd, 1995

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Written by Margaret Olivia Wolfson
Illustrated by Karla Sachi
Publisher Oregon, USA: Beyond Words Publishing, Inc., 1999

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Written by Lemalu Ros. Afamasaga
Illustrated by Donna R. Kamu
Publisher Apia, Samoa: Nui Leaf Publications, 2003

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Written by Patricia Grace
Illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa

…learn more Pe‘ā ‘ou alu I le Lotu – When I go to church
Written by Tolo Pereira
Illustrated by Dwain Aiolupotea
Publisher Porirua, New Zealand: Samoana Early Education Development Services Ltd (SEEDS), 2010

Night Fishing for my Birthday

Night Fishing for my Birthday

by Tuala F. Tiresa Malietoa

Apia, Samoa: Niu Leaf Publications

ISBN: 9829071081/9789829071088 (English)

ISBN: 9829071073/9789829071071 (Samoan)

Everyone is a little worried when Sifa asks if he can go night fishing for flying fish, to celebrate his birthday. His Uncle Seti had previously lost an arm when he was bitten by a shark while night fishing once. Despite this, he is allowed to go, and learns what it means to be a true hero when the canoe turns and he is tipped out of the boat. This story shows a unique aspect of Pacific Island culture, and has been illustrated beautifully using pencil and water colours, by Vaioleti Samata Uili. It is also available in Samoan.

This book was nominated for the collection because it shows life in the Pacific Islands.

A New Zealand curriculum-linked activity for this book can be found here.