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What is the series about?
Kuaka's Journey is a series of children's
books about a small godwit who makes long
journeys across the sea to visit different
people and places.
What inspired you to write these stories
and what is your main aim for these
stories?
I discovered a lack of resources for teaching
children about different cultures during
Samoan Language Week four years ago. My
aim is to provide children and teachers with
a story that they can use to learn about
different cultures.
Who do you see reading these books?
Children of any age as well as teachers.
Why did you choose a kuaka to be your
main character?
I always knew that the main character would
be a bird. I have always loved drawing and
drawing birds is a hobby of mine. Kuaka are
a native bird to NZ and one of the only birds
that travel long distances and can often be
seen in the mud flats near where I live.
You illustrated and wrote these stories,
what do you enjoy most?
I have always loved drawing and I have a
keen interest in art, but I have really enjoyed
the research aspect of writing and learning
about different cultures.
The illustrations are very detailed; did they
take long to create?
I started drawing in December last year and
it seemed to come together very quickly with
the first book being released in August.
My mother-in-law is the brains and talent
behind the illustrations and turns my black
and white drawings into the beautifully
coloured illustrations they are!
What was your biggest challenge in getting
these books published?
I work 40+ hours as a head teacher in an
Early Childhood centre in Auckland (The
Secret Garden Huapai) so time is definitely
the biggest challenge!
I also struggle at times when ensuing that
all my information is correct – google only
tells me so much!
What feedback have you received?
I have had wonderful feedback especially
from the children and families at the centre.
They all know Kuaka now and can’t wait to
see what story comes next!
Are there more Kuaka Journey books
planned?
Yes, Kuaka will travel all over the world… if
I can draw it she can travel there! I have
already drawn up the drafts for Tonga, The
Cook Islands, The Solomon Islands and Iran
and India is in the making!
Q & A WITH AUTHOR
V A N E S S A
P E T E R S O N
VANESSA PETERSON, AN ECE
HEAD TEACHER HAS WRITTEN
A SERIES OF BOOKS, KUAKA’S
JOURNEY. READ BELOW ABOUT
THE BOOKS AND WHY SHE
WAS INSPIRED TO MAKE HER
LIFE EVEN BUSIER THAN JUST
BEING AN ECE HEAD TEACHER!
You are also an ECE teacher, has this
inspired you in anyway?
It has definitely inspired me. Seeing a lack of
cultural resources inspired me to write these
books!
Who are your favourite children’s authors?
I love Dorothy Butler, Joy Cowley and
Margaret Mahy – the NZ classics!
Is there anything else you’d like to tell the
readers about your publishing journey or
the Kuaka Journey series?
I have been so lucky to have the support
from my family and friends. As mentioned
my mother-in-law is so incredibly talented
and turns my drawings into amazing
illustrations.
I am also so lucky to have my fiancé who
works for a local printing company – Tass
print, who print my books for me.
I hope to travel to the countries of the books
that I have written about to share them with
the schools and children.
December 2017
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