Cries from the Moana

Tahi and Mahina are cousins living on a small island in the vast ocean continent of the Pacific. Raised by their grandmothers, they are regular village kids. Until the day when they are called on for a special mission to save the seabed. And then extraordinary things begin to happen.

But the children’s families have been locked in a battle of bitter memories since an accident at sea snatched away the lives of their mothers. Will their estranged relationship get in the way of a successful mission? Will the fact that Mahina is blind be a hindrance or a help?

Follow the magical journey of the children across the Pacific Ocean in search of a secret passage, then downward to the ocean floor to find out what threatens its survival. Feel their excitement and awe as they encounter fascinating ocean creatures and untangle some of the mysteries of the deep. Then discover why a huge, ugly machine lies abandoned on the seabed.

But can anything be done to save the ocean creatures and their habitat from this terrifying intruder? Will the children be able to put aside family grudges to work as a team? And will they make it back home safely, and in time, to deliver an urgent message from the spirit world?

Cries from the Moana celebrates the beauty and bounty of the ocean and the unique spiritual connection Pacific Islanders have with it. It is also a cautionary tale about an extractive industry that threatens to destroy rich ocean life forms, habitats and ecosystems on which the survival and health of Pacific island societies depend.

This book is an engaging story of family, friendship, and adventure that explores the themes of inclusion, forgiveness and team work; community and cultural identity; and ocean conservation. It is also a reminder that disability can sometimes open the door to something extraordinary.

Format: Paperback
Imprint: Small New Zealand Publisher
Publication date: 01/02/2024
Illustrator: Fonu, Auntie