Pacific Island Literature from
Guam and the Micronesia Region
By Deceree Mendiola
This is a compilation of some of the creative writings for children and young adults from the American territory of Guam, the Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae), and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The literature includes picture books, poetry, folklore, modern fantasies, realistic fiction, biographies, and informational books
Picture Books
Guam
Illustrated by Patricia L.G. Taimanglo Ages:5-12 This is the story of the first clown fish and of the great friendship between Tasi and Matina. It is a story of unconditional love and the unbreakable bond of family. The story of Tasi and Matina is based on characters and images of indigenous Pacific Island origin. (Source: http://www.guambooksandbeads.com/page15.php) Pohnpei
Our First Pohnpei Counting Book help children recognize written and spoken numbers and understand their meaning before beginning mathematical operations. This book reflects Pohnpei's unique counting systems. Children can practice counting illustrated objects in their language and English from 1-10 (Source: http://www.islandresearch.org/books/guides/learning%20books.pdf) |
Links to other Pacific Island Picture Books
Guam:http://www.coconutvilla.com/books3.htm Micronesia Region: http://besspress.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=c&Category_Code=Alphabet-Books |
Poetry
Links to other Pacific Island Poems
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Pohnpei
My Urohs By Emelihter Kihleng Published in 2008 My Urohs is the the first published collection of poetry by a Pohnpeian poet. (Source: http://books.google.com/books/about/My_Urohs.html?id=40g3268fjnYC) Republic of Palau Bungleman by Anonymous (Palau) the bungle-man thinks with crewless brains: like the boat-bob from Ngerechemai who tagged the where-is of his fishtraps with a cloud. (Source: http://beautifulrailwaybridgeofthesilverytay.me/2012/10/09/poetry-parnassus-the-bungle-man-palau/) South Pacific The South Pacific By: James A. Michener From Tales of the South Pacific wish I could tell you about the South Pacific. The way it actually was. The endless ocean. The infinite specks of coral we called islands. Coconut palms nodding gracefully toward the ocean. Reefs upon which waves broke into spray, and inner lagoons, lovely beyond description. I wish I could tell you about the sweating jungle, the full moon rising behind volcanoes, and the waiting. The waiting. The timeless, repetitive waiting. (Source: http://www.lizasreef.com/HOPE%20FOR%20THE%20OCEANS/poetry_about_the_oceans.htm) |
Folklore
By: Bo Flood
Illustrated by: Connie J. Adams Retells of traditional legends and myths of the the Chamorro and Carolinian people including creation myths and tales of duendes and dancing tricksters known as taotaomonas |
By: Bo Flood, Beret E. Strong and William Flood
Illustrated by: Connie J. Adams Collects forty three traditional stories from the Pacific Islands, including legends, and stories of gods, heroes and ordinary people. |
By: Bo Flood, Beret E. Strong and William Flood
Illustrated by: Connie J. Adams A collection of seventy fables, folklore, and legends drawn from island cultures. An amazing and exciting read about tales of great loves, heroes, villains, and cruel fate. |
Links to other Pacific Island Folklore
http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Mi-Ni/Micronesian-Mythology.html
http://ns.gov.gu/legends.html
http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Mi-Ni/Micronesian-Mythology.html
http://ns.gov.gu/legends.html
Modern Fantasies
Guam
Illustrated by Vivian Lujan Bryan Ages: 5-9 The Duendes Hunter is a modern day story about a little girl and her curiosity about duendes, who are little people whole in swamp, dance in the moonlight and play tricks on humans. The little girl sets out to hunt for duendes near her home. (Source: http://facultyuog.net/RFK/paclit/reid.htm)
Cover & Title Art by Sonny K. Chargualaf Ages:15+ Here is a glimpse into the life of Chamorros across the spectrum of humanity. The stories have strong Chamorro themes and offers a mirror for fellow Chamorros and a passport for others to be introduced to the Pacific Island culture. (Source: http://www.guambooksandbeads.com/page13.php) |
Realistic Fiction
Illustrated by Vivian Lujan Bryan Ages 6-9 Isla plants an avocado tree and takes great care of her tree until a typhoon comes and blows it down. As life slowly returns after the storm. Isa finds comfort in the new life around her and a new avocado seed.
Illustrator: Katherine Tillotson Ages: 8-12 Mama recounts her experiences living on an island in the Pacific her husband while she was pregnant. This book has 10 short chapters of Mama's storytelling session. |
Biographies
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Making Micronesia is the story of Tosiwo Nakayama, the first president of the FSM. Born to a Japanese father an island woman in 1931 in Chuuk. This book tells about how Nakayama grew up during Japan's colonial administration to how he adjusted to life in post-war Chuuk under the American colonization and finally how became a great leader for the FSM. (Source: http://www.uhpress.hawaii.edu/p-9200-9780824838461.aspx) Guam
Contains over 450 names, including sports greats, radio ham operators, legislative pioneers, contemporary Chamorro leaders and many more. (Source: http://www.amazon.com/Manfayi-Whos-Who-Chamorro-History/dp/B003J6RDLG) |
Informational Books
Ages: 8 + This is a colorful photo essay focusing on 15 children reflecting different cultural backgrounds on different islands. Hermes descriptions of everyday life are vivid and shows a fascinating glimpse of cultures struggling to keep their identities and maintain traditions while assimilating new cultural elements. (Source: http://www.amazon.com/The-Children-Micronesia-Jules-Hermes/dp/0876149638) |