Lifting the flap on language learning to strengthen identity

They say necessity is the mother of invention, and that’s certainly the case for a family-owned business producing Pacific language lift–the–flap books.

Samogan Treasures, a portmanteau combining the words Sāmoa and Tonga, is the brainchild of Savili Leilua and husband Aleki.

“We gave birth to our first child in 2020, and he loved lift-the-flap books,” Savili told John Pulu on PMN Tonga.

“And so I tried searching for one in Sāmoan and Tongan, (but) couldn't find one online or in store, so I decided to write a story myself and kind of just printed it out on paper for him.

“But then I really wanted it to come to life, solely because it was important for me growing up, and my husband growing up, (having) the language in the home,” she said.

Initially crafting a simple story on paper for her son, Savili soon realised the potential for something bigger.

“I wanted it to come to life, not just for my family but for others in the community who value their heritage.”

Their debut book, Search for the Colours of the Rainbow, combines vibrant illustrations with an interactive design.

Children lift flaps to discover items representing different colours, blending sensory engagement with language learning.

Search for the Colours of the Rainbow combines vibrant illustrations with an interactive design

Savili describes it as “something different in the market,” designed to entertain and strengthen young readers' cultural identity and pride.

Creating bilingual books was collaborative, with her parents helping with the translations.

Savili believes their books do much more than language aids; they are tools to help children connect with their roots and gain confidence in their cultural identity.

“It strengthens who they are as Tongans or Sāmoans,” she said.

Savili hopes the books will prepare children for bilingual education programs in schools, bridging the gap between home and classroom learning.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with families who received early samples citing the books’ quality and cultural significance.

Watch Savili Fololoa Leilua's full interview below.

While community outreach has been limited to Savili’s Sunday school group, she envisions a broader impact.

“I want to engage more with focus groups to understand what people want,” she said.

Looking to the future, Samogan Treasures plans to expand its offerings.

While the target audience is children aged zero to four, Savili hopes to create resources like milestone books to further support bilingual homes.

“We aim to normalise bilingualism, not just for children but for parents who didn’t grow up speaking the language,” Savili said.

Pre-orders for Search for the Colours of the Rainbow are now open on the Samogan Treasures website, with Auckland deliveries expected before Christmas and other locations soon after. https://www.samogantreasures.com/

Savili encourages families to explore their books as meaningful gifts.

“This isn’t just a book, it’s a treasure,” she said.