Lei Loves/Petelo Peeks & Sina’s Busy Day/Luka Looks by Dahlia Malaeulu, illus. Darcy Solia. Pub. Onetree House, 2022

Four titles and only two picture books all about everyday features that we encounter in life. The aim is to introduce young readers to Samoan language and to build their vocabulary.

Lei Loves is about a young girl who loves to celebrate important dates in the year with her family from New year through Easter, Mother’s day, fathers day, Children’s day to Christmas day. This is backed with Petelo Peeks about a young boy who looks out the window of the car while traveling to the airport for a family holiday. Different forms of transport are seen.

All the main words are in Samoan with the general text in English.

Luka looks is about a young boy who has lost his Teddy and the book invites the reader to find him in the illustrations. Not only that but teddy has lost his clothes and these too can be found in the illustrations. The purpose to show Samoan terms for colours and clothing. This is backed by Sina’s Busy Day the story of a young boy greeting his mum in the morning then his football coach at practice, his cousin at a birthday party, his friends at church then off to sleep at night.

Each story is accompanied by a list of vocabulary, a pronunciation guide both vowel and consonants at the end of each story. The illustrations show family life and make them an invaluable resource for teaching the Samoan language and culture.