To all Kiribati lovers!

Last post I wrote, spoke about Teaote and the Wall the book. I apologised profusely for not giving you the news of the book first. But despite this, a lot of you wonderful people pledged to the pozible campaign and we raised enough money to print 500 books plus also have extra left over for a launch, which is currently being organised! The outpouring of support really left me in tears day after day, as more people pledged their support for mine and Stacey Bennett’s childrens book.  I never thought the day would come when I could hold the book in my hands – but it did last week! Very soon I’ll be packaging up the books to send out around the world.

Last weekend, I spoke at the Melbourne Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival on a panel discussing Climate Change: Pacific Art and Activation.  I presented the book there and then sold copies at the Festival Day the following day.

I’m so happy to share some photo’s for you.  Big thanks to Stacey, the illustrator who has worked like crazy to get this book looking fantastic.  Her interpretation of the Kiribati flag to sit on the front cover of the book, always takes my breath away.  Take a look at her website, I can’t speak her praises highly enough.

Creative Stace

Check us out at the festival!

But wait! That’s not the only news!

You may not know this, but my impetus to write the book actually started when I was making a short film to contribute to the Art+Climate Change Festival in Melbourne. I was filming an interview with my Mum (Teaote) and well… you know the rest of the story!

For ‘High Tide’ I was lucky enough to work with the wonderful director – Joel Sharpe. He took on this project quickly and despite his tight schedule, he has made time to film and edit this film.  He was wonderful working with Mum and really saw my vision for the film and made it skyrocket.

Tomorrow, High Tide will be showing as part of the festival right in the middle of Melbourne CBD.  If you’re around Melbourne, go to the big inflatable island sitting in Federation Square. Go inside the island and this little film will be playing on repeat! I promise, if you head down there, this will actually make sense. It is playing there for a month. After that, I’ll be trying to show this film as many times as possible.

So without further ado, here is High Tide. You’re the first to see it friends!

Let me know what you think.  Do you know of any other similar stories? I’d love to hear them.