13 Aug 2024

Writing for bi-cultural children

From Nine To Noon, 11:30 am on 13 August 2024
image of Feana Tu'akoi

Photo: supplied by Gemma Finlay

Feana Tu'akoi' is an author who began writing junior fiction so her own children could see themselves reflected in books. 

Her kids are now adults - but they were the only motivation she needed to write children's books for bicultural Fānaú. 

Her latest title Lopini the Legend, tells the story of a Tongan-Palagi boy who is a perfectionist and not used to dealing with failure.

Lopini feels like he has failed when his kapa haka leadership role is given to another student who is Māori and fluent in te reo. So there are many themes to discuss.

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