A teacher from Macarthur Adventist College, Mrs Dianne Beranaliva, has recently written and published one of the few picture story books about children growing up in Fiji. It took two years for the Macquarie Fields Kindergarten teacher to write and publish the book.

“I never in my life thought I would write a book,” said Mrs Beranaliva. “But about three years ago, when my husband and I were back in Fiji, I decided to look for a children’s picture story book about local Fijian children because I wanted t

o read it to my students – many of whom come from the Pacific. But I couldn’t find any. When I asked a local bookseller to put one on order for me, he explained that they don’t really have any Fijian picture books. I was shocked that the local kids didn’t really have any local stories to read about. But it was only after my husband suggested that I write one that I actually thought this was something that I could do. So, about a year after that experience, I sat down and wrote ‘The Mean and Nasty Toatoa’.The story is based on one of my husband’s childhood experiences, growing up in Fiji.”

Mrs Beranaliva, who has been teaching at Macarthur Adventist College for four years, has a passion for children’s literature. Her husband, Simione Beranaliva, illustrated the book. He is an accomplished artist and graphic designer, and has twice won the Fiji National Fine Art Award. He was born and raised in Fiji.

The Beranaliva’s are in discussions with the Fijian Department of Education to have the book placed in Fijian schools. “The Education Department is very keen,” said Mrs Beranaliva. “It would be fantastic to see our book in Fijian schools and homes, and to know that the local children are reading about their own experiences.”

For more information, or to purchase “The Mean and Nasty Toatoa”, visit www.clicksxpress.com