Filo’s butterflies by Litea Fuata & Myo Yim

A delightful tale of a child overcoming his misgivings at having to dance at his auntie’s wedding, while also shining a light on the customs of the Samoan community. Many Samoans live in New Zealand and Australia, as well as other countries around the world. Keeping their customs alive is a large part of their socialising, and here a wedding takes central stage.

The wonderfully bright illustrations showcase many of the customs of the Samoan community, and eager eyes will seek out these differences to weddings we know. Filo’s house is being transformed into a wedding venue with every pair of hands working to put up garlands of flowers, setting tables for the feast, while Filo and his cousins practise their part in the ceremony: presenting the siva fa’ataupati, a dance which emulates killing mosquitoes. But this is the first time Filo has been old enough to be part of the performance. The group has been practising for two weeks, but Filo keeps having butterflies in his stomach. He asks his father who tells him that he had butterflies before the first time he danced, as did his grandma. But when his auntie walks down the aisle, he has butterflies. Then when Aunt Rosie and Aunty Eve say their special vowels, he has even more.

They throw petals over the women, and everyone sits down to eat, until the time comes for Filo and the others to dance. The children dress in their special necklaces, and have makeup put on their faces. The butterflies are everywhere, but Dad gives Filo the thumbs up. The group stamp their feet, slap their thighs and work together to present their dance. When the dance is finished then the whole wedding party joins in. Filo’s butterflies have all flown away.

This delightful tale about courage and sharing concerns, will appeal to younger readers as they learn about Samoan customs as Filo learns to suppress his concerns about doing something for the first time.

Themes: Courage, Samoa, Samoan customs, Weddings, Dancing, Humour.

Fran Knight