Samoa’s first bilingual children’s book series was launched at Apia Harvest Church Hall on 28 September, thanks to the efforts of the Samoa Early Learning Foundation and support from the Asia Foundation. The Let’s Read Samoa project brought together twelve local authors and illustrators, creating ten books aimed at promoting literacy among young readers in both Samoan and English.
Enid Westerlund, the founder of the Samoa Early Learning Foundation, led the initiative with backing from Asia Foundation representatives Krystelle Lavaki and Ropate Kama. Westerlund, known for her dedication to children’s literacy, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project and expressed gratitude to everyone involved. The books will be available online for free, with 10,000 e-books accessible worldwide, and physical copies already distributed to 12 schools across Samoa.
The launch event was the culmination of a week-long series of read-aloud campaigns held across Samoa, with authors and illustrators visiting schools on Upolu and Savai’i to engage with students. More than 4,000 students from 12 schools have already received the books, with more distributions planned in the coming months.
People in the community have warmly embraced the project, appreciating its focus on Samoan culture and storytelling. Isaako and the other authors were especially grateful to see their stories resonate with children during these school visits, where students expressed excitement about reading stories that reflected their own lives and experiences.
One of the featured authors, Matauaina Isaako, shared his story Unbuttered Bread, which reflects on his childhood experiences. The story follows a young boy who, despite his family’s poverty, gives his unbuttered bread to a homeless couple and their child. Isaako spoke about the emotional moment of seeing his work published, stating, “Writing has always been a source of healing for me. I hope this story inspires young readers to show kindness, even in difficult circumstances.”
The books are designed to resonate with Samoan children by reflecting their culture and daily lives, with plans to translate them into over 60 languages to reach children worldwide.
The Let’s Read Samoa project is regarded as an important initiative in promoting literacy and fostering creativity among Samoa’s youth.
