Teenah Rasch from Sauniatu is an emerging author and one of the creatives behind Samoa’s First 10 Book Series for Children launching on 28 September.  

This initiative is called Tatou Faitau or Let’s Read by Asia Foundation in partnership with Samoa Early Learning Foundation, a local charitable organisation dedicated to enhancing children's learning, especially literacy and reading.  Tatou Faitau or Let's Read, aims to foster a love for reading among young children while preserving and promoting Samoa’s rich culture.

Samoa’s first book series is part of a 10,000-book electronic library from across Asia and the Pacific, translated into 60 languages.  This collaborative effort brings together the talents of twelve local authors and illustrators. Each book in the series is designed to resonate with Samoan children, featuring stories that reflect their everyday lives, cultural practices and unique environment.

She wanted to become a scientist growing up and envisioned herself delving into the unknown, conducting experiments and uncovering new scientific knowledge. This passion for exploration is a driving force in her work.  

“Writing has always captivated me due to my passion for documenting my personal experiences in diaries. Since childhood, I have diligently chronicled the happenings of everyday life, using these writings to preserve cherished memories.”

The inspiration behind her writing also comes from working as a librarian.  

“Reading through the works of various authors has deeply impacted my perspective and approach to librarianship. It has given me valuable insights into different writing styles, themes, and storytelling techniques, which has in turn enriched my interactions with students and faculty members.”

Papa’s Farm, Rasch’s book is inspired by witnessing her children working alongside their grandfather on the family farm.  

“My favourite part of working on the book series was the invaluable opportunity to mutually learn and draw inspiration from the collective wisdom and expertise of fellow participants.”  

This is the first time her work has been published.

Teenah encourages aspiring artists to allow ideas to flow freely, and don't be afraid to take risks or experiment with unconventional approaches. Writing can be a challenging and often solitary pursuit. Maintain your passion, resilience, and determination, even in the face of setbacks or rejections.

The official launch of the Samoa 10-book series will take place on 28 September, with events scheduled at various schools, early learning centres and community reading programs across the country. More than 2000 copies of the book series will be donated to schools, organisations and groups in Samoa.