Tala Learns to Siva

Tala wishes that she could dance the traditional Samoan dance the taualuga, where her hands curl like rolling waves and her feet glide across the floor like canoes. Yet when Tala tries to siva, her legs are too wobbly, her arms are too stiff, and most of all, she doesn’t have the same glow as when Aunty dances. Tala tries to muster the courage to perform at her Grandma’s birthday--but she freezes on stage. Will she find the strength and inspiration to help her dance?

Kealani Netane is a Native Hawaiian-Samoan picture book writer living just outside of Honolulu on Oahu in Hawai’i. Kealani is an educator for Pacific Islanders and has over 20 years of experience as a Polynesian dancer herself. On top of being a mom, Kealani runs the bookstagram, Little Pasifika Readers, where she highlights #ownvoices Pasifika children’s books and other API and diverse and inclusive books. Find her at @littlepasifikareaders and at @ke_a_la_ni on Twitter.

Dung (pronounced Dzung) Ho is a New York Times bestselling illustrator based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Her work focuses on children’s books. She also loves to draw interesting characters with unique personalities. In her free time, she likes to cook and watch movies.