…learn moreFiapule Written by Catherine Hannken Illustrated by Trish Bowles Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Mallinson Rendel, 2007
…learn moreFishing with Spider Webs Written by Lino Nelisi Illustrated by Elspeth Alix Batt Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic Ltd, 1994
…learn moreGrandad Written by Janet Pereira Illustrated by Bruce Potter Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2006
…learn moreLegends of the Cook Islands Written by Shona Hopkins Illustrated by Bruce Potter Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2010
…learn moreTwo 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 moreMaui and the Big Fish Written by Barbara Ker Wilson Illustrated by Franc Lessac Publisher Great Britain: Frances Lincoln Ltd, 2003
…learn moreKo Maui Mo e Fangufangú - Maui and the Nose Flute Written by Sione Tu‘itahi Illustrated by Henele Vaka Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: PIERC Education, 1998
…learn moreO La‘u Ā‘oga ‘Āmata - My Preschool Written by Tolo Pereira Illustrated by Dwain Aiolupotea Publisher Porirua, New Zealand: Samoana Early Education Development Services Ltd (SEEDS), 2010
…learn moreO La‘u ‘Ato Ā‘oga – My School Bag Written by Tolo Pereira Illustrated by Dwain Aiolupotea Publisher Porirua, New Zealand: Samoana Early Education Development Services Ltd (SEEDS)
…learn moreLama 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
…learn moreO le Fa‘aipoipoga Written by Emma Kruse Vaai Illustrated by Regina Meredith Publisher Apia, Samoa: Niu Leaf Publications, 2005
…learn moreA Book of Pacific Lullabies Edited by Tessa Duder Illustrated by Anton Petrov Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: HarperCollins, 2001
…learn morePania of the Reef Written and illustrated by Peter Gossage Publisher North Shore, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2008
…learn morePapa’s Donuts Written by Kate Moetaua Illustrated by Bruce Potter Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2006
…learn morePapa’s Jandals Written by Kate Moetaua Illustrated by Bruce Potter Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2010
…learn moreThe Peace Bird Written by Eleitino Paddy Walker Illustrated by Nanette Lela‘ulu 2011
…learn morePou and Miri Tackle Climate Change Written by Dom Sansom Publisher Fiji: Secretariat of the Pacific Community, 2011
…learn moreSelafina Written by Catherine Hannken Illustrated by Trish Bowles Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Mallinson Rendel, 2003
…learn moreSina 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 moreSione’s Talo Written by Lino Nelisi Illustrated by Elspeth Williamson Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic Ltd, 1993
…learn moreSole! goes to Rotorua Written by Fata and Paula Letoa Illustrated by Tony Rush Publisher New Zealand: Paua Publishing, 2002
…learn moreSole! White Sunday Written by Fata and Paula Letoa Illustrated by Tony Rush Publisher New Zealand: Paua Publishing, 2002
…learn moreTalia Written by Catherine Hannken Illustrated by Trish Bowles Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Mallinson Rendel, 2009
…learn moreTane Te Whetū o te Ra - Tane steals the show Written by Lino Nelisi Illustrated by Gus Hunter Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Scholastic, 1997
…learn moreTangaroa’s Gift Written by Mere Whaanga-Schollum Illustrated by Mere Whaanga-Schollum Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic, 1990
…learn moreThe Magic Seashell Written by Makerita Urale Illustrated by Samuel Sakaria Publisher Wellington, New Zealand: Steele Roberts Ltd for the Pacific Education Resources Trust, 1999
…learn moreThe Pipi Swing Written by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa Illustrated by Bruce Potter Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2007
…learn moreThe Shark God Written by Rafe Martin Illustrated by David Shannon Publisher New York, USA: Scholastic Press, 2001
…learn moreThe stuck-there-forever boat Written by Gillian Torckler Illustrated by Bruce Potter Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Puffin Books, 2008
…learn moreThe Wooden Fish Written by Tim Tipene Illustrated by Jennifer Cooper Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 1999
…learn moreKete Harakeke - Woven Flax Kete Written by Angie Belcher Illustrated by Denise Durkin Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Reed Publishing Ltd, 2003
…learn moreTulevai and the Sea Written by Joy Cowley Illustrated by Manu Smith Publisher Auckland, New Zealand: Ashton Scholastic Ltd, 1995
…learn moreTurtle Songs: A Tale for Mothers and Daughters Written by Margaret Olivia Wolfson Illustrated by Karla Sachi Publisher Oregon, USA: Beyond Words Publishing, Inc., 1999
…learn moreUlu u I Lalo - Upside-down face Written by Lemalu Ros. Afamasaga Illustrated by Donna R. Kamu Publisher Apia, Samoa: Nui Leaf Publications, 2003
…learn moreWatercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street Written by Patricia Grace Illustrated by Robyn Kahukiwa
…learn morePe‘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
Activity for ‘Selafina’
Selafina
By Catherine Hannken
Set in Auckland, New Zealand, this story tells of a young Samoan girl, Selafina, who is about to celebrate her tenth birthday. In honour of her Nana, who is visiting from Samoa especially for the occasion, Selafina learns to dance a siva to perform at her birthday party. This story reinforces the themes of culture and family, as well as promoting the value of fa’a malosi – finding strength in a difficult situation. It is beautifully illustrated in watercolour by Trish Bowles, with images from both Samoa and New Zealand.
This book was nominated because of its focus on the importance of intergenerational links, as well as the value placed on the Samoan siva dance. It was also nominated because of its themes of family and closeness, and for its use of Pasifika themes in the illustrations – such as the frangipani flower on the cover. This book was selected as a Notable Book in the Children’s Literature Foundation of New Zealand Awards, and was shortlisted for Best Picture Book in the New Zealand Post Book Awards (2004).
Activity: SAMOAN CULTURAL DANCE: The Siva (The Arts)
Curriculum Level
1, 2 & 3 (see curriculum links at the end of the activity)
NZC Key Competencies
thinking
relating to others
participating and contributing
Description
This story describes the beautiful Samoan dance – the slow, flowing siva, and its importance in the Samoan culture as a way of expressing emotion.
1. After reading, talk with the children about the siva and pull out the words from the story which describe it (slow, rippling body, “like the gentlest of waves”, gliding feet, flowing hands). Look at the pictures for ideas too.
2. Ask the children to stand up and have a go at moving like Selafina does, in a siva dance. Ask: what kind of music do you think goes with this dance? Share ideas.
3. You may be able to invite a family or community member into class to perform the siva for children.
4. Watch YouTube clips which show the movement of the siva, as well as the music which is used:
5. Talk about the moves, stand up and have a go at some of them.
6. In pairs or small groups, children can make up and practice their own siva to perform back to the class. You may like to provide some music for this.
Materials
YouTube access
Traditional Samoan music to dance to
Taking it further
Samoan parents could assist with making appropriate costumes.
At Level 3, students begin to explore and describe dances from a variety of cultures. Children could be involved in researching other cultural dances from the Pacific Islands, and finding out the history and significance of these dances.
Curriculum Links
The ArtsDance
Understanding the Arts in Context
demonstrate an awareness of dance in their lives and in their communities (Level 1)
identify and describe dance in their lives and in their communities (Level 2)
explore and describe dances from a variety of cultures (Level 3)
Developing Ideas
improvise and explore movement ideas in response to a variety of stimuli (Level 1)
use the elements of dance in purposeful ways to respond to a variety of stimuli (Level 2)
select and combine dance elements in response to a variety of stimuli (Level 3)
Communicating and Interpreting
share dance movement through informal presentation and share their thoughts and feelings in response to their own and others’ dances (Level 1)
share dance movement through informal presentation and identify the use of the elements of dance (Level 2)
prepare and share dance movement individually and in pairs or groups (Level 3)
use the elements of dance to describe dance movements and respond to dances from a variety of cultures (Level 3)
Links to other PPBC books
Tane Steals the Show by Lino NelisiWatercress Tuna and the Children of Champion Street by Patricia Grace
– both books look at dance in Pacific cultures.
Other Ideas
talking and writing about overcoming shyness (English)
talking and writing about learning something new (English)
talking and writing about being brave (English)
looking at Samoan language used in the story (Learning Languages/ English)
