Writing for bi-cultural children

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 Fanaú. 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 Maori and fluent in te reo. So there are many themes to discuss.