Charming Bilingual Picture Book Brings ’12 Days Of Christmas’ To The South Pacific

A partridge in a pear tree is something you won’t see at Christmas in New Zealand, let alone the South Pacific.

But a colourful bird in a mango tree – that’s more like it. A Manulele in a Mango Tree bring the ’12 Days of Christmas’ to the South Pacific with gifts including frangipani, corned beef, drummers and fire dancers.

Strikingly illustrated with woodblock prints, this English and Samoan bilingual book published by Oratia Books creates a summery setting to Christmas while celebrating Pacific culture, from weaving to drumming to dance.

Samoan-New Zealand author Sarona Aiono-Iosefa creates a charming, bilingual take on Christmas — but you’ll need to read it to find out what all the twelve gifts will be.

The authors

Sarona Aiono-Iosefa is a Samoan-New Zealand journalist and author who has written several books for children. She lives in Wellington. Steven Dunn is an artist and illustrator. He lives in Christchurch, where he works as a graphic designer. Le’autuli Sauvao MNZM, JP was a distinguished educator and translator of Gagana Sāmoa (the Samoan language). She passed away in August this year.

A Manulele in a Mango Tree | Le Manulele o nofo i le Mago
Written by Sarona Aiono-Iosefa, illustrated by Steven Dunn, translated by Le’autuli Sauvao
Published by Oratia Books
ISBN: 978-1-004292-8 | RRP $21.00 | paperback

www.oratia.co.nz

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