A Bilingual Children’s Book Inspired by Growing Up in Samoa

Traveling to Samoa for the first time with little ones? As someone who was born and raised there, I often think back to the time I spent showing my cousins from “off island” around my village of Leone. I loved introducing them to the flowers, fruits, animals and everyday life. Seeing the excitement in their eyes made it even more special, and those are memories I still hold onto.

Now as an adult, I hope to continue sharing that same experience beyond my own family. While many travelers visit to explore the National Park of American Samoa, there is so much more to discover, especially in the people, language, culture and daily life.

One of the simplest ways to feel more connected when visiting a new place is by learning a few words of the local language. Even small phrases can go a long way. For example, saying “Hello” in Samoan is “Talofa” (tah-lo-fah), and “How are you?” is “O a mai oe?” These small efforts can make your experience more meaningful and help create genuine connections.

That same idea of connection does not only apply to travel. It is just as important for children, especially those growing up away from Samoa, who may not have many opportunities to experience the language or daily life firsthand.

This is what led me to start writing bilingual Samoan and English children’s books. I wanted to create something that could introduce the language in a simple and engaging way, while also giving children a glimpse into life in Samoa through storytelling and illustrations.

Whether you are preparing for a trip or simply looking for a way to stay connected from afar, these books are meant to make the experience feel more familiar and accessible.

If you are interested, you can check them out on Amazon or Le Teremoana.

Samoan and English (Bilingual) Book Links:

Paperback is available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0g8WZAZf

Hard Cover is available at Le Teremoana: Children’s Books (Also available on Amazon) – Le Teremoana

www.leteremoana.com

I hope you and your family will find them helpful in learning Samoan words, building confidence with the language, and gaining a deeper appreciation for Samoa.