Tala Learns to Siva

Kealani Netane brings her Samoan heritage to a picture book that exudes dancing joy. Young Tala watches her aunt dance the traditional taualuga and yearns to be as graceful and to glow as brilliantly but her feet and legs just won’t move like that. With some instruction from Aunty Sina, lots of prac......more

This book is such a treat in so many ways! My kids and I learned so much about Sāmoan culture, and found much in common with our own culture (South Asian Indian). In our community too, aunties (masis) play a big role, and my friends view my kids as their nieces and nephews and I'm lucky to be a masi......more

I had the opportunity to read an e-ARC of this beautiful book! Growing up as a dancer, I instantly fell in love with Tala and her desire to learn the taualuga, the dance of her Samoan culture. Stunning and vibrant illustrations flow with the heartfelt text, as Tala is determined to practice the siva......more

Tala Learns to Siva is a beautiful book. I loved learning about the taualuga, a traditional Samoan dance. I also love how this story encourages perseverance — if readers want to become good at something it takes practice, determination, positivity and courage (I love how Tala practices in front of h......more

5.5 Stars! Learning a traditional dance (or anything truly meaningful to your culture) is such a beautiful experience, and this book expressed that so well! “I don’t look like you when I dance.” - This line really hit hard, I remember being that age and seeing my mom wear a saree or my cousin dance o......more