The illustrated children’s book “Cries from the Moana,” which highlights the dangers of seabed mining in the Pacific Ocean, has gained international recognition after winning the 2024 UK Rubery Award.
The Rubery Prize is a prestigious global award for self-published authors and independent publishers, often compared to the MAN Booker Prize and Costa Prize in the self-publishing sector.
After a final judging round among all category winners—including Fiction, Poetry, Short Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Children/Young Adult—the book named Book of the Year is awarded a grand prize of £2,000 (approximately 5,800 Fijian dollars).
“Cries from the Moana,” a 122-page story set in the town of Haumana on the mythical island of Tungia, won both the Book of the Year and the Children and Young Adult Category awards for 2024.
The book pays tribute to Pacific indigenous science and navigational traditions, family bonds, teamwork, and inclusivity for those with disabilities, while celebrating the deep connection Pacific Islanders have with the ocean, or moana. It weaves together elements of adventure, traditional myths, fantasy, and oceanic education.
Featuring over 100 illustrations, the book reveals the enchanting yet often overlooked realm of the deep ocean and seabed—vital sources of life and biodiversity that are increasingly under threat from the harmful practices of mineral extraction.
“Cries from the Moana” is a collaborative effort from three generations of a Fijian-Pacific Island family. The narrative is penned by ‘Atu Emberson-Bain, who hails from Tonga and is the mother of two sons, Siale and Melino Bain-Vete, with the late Stephen Vete. The illustrations are crafted by their daughter Anga’aefonu (Fonu) Bain-Vete, with contributions from her two grandchildren, Tahi and Mahina Bain-Vete, aged seven and six.
Julian Aguon, an esteemed author and indigenous human rights attorney from Guam, remarked on the book’s unique appeal, stating, “Cries from the Moana is a children’s fable, a cautionary tale, and a powerful call for justice all at once.”
Dame Meg Taylor, former Secretary-General of the Pacific Elders Voice, described the work as a captivating blend of language, customs, and journeys that explore the Pacific, praising its enchanting portrayals of sea creatures and their interactions with children.
The book addresses critical decisions about deep-sea mining, presenting a narrative that allows readers and communities to contemplate their choices through the eyes of children.
In addition to the two Rubery Awards, “Cries from the Moana” also earned a Silver Medal for Illustrations at the 2024 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, a Bronze Medal for Regional Fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards, and a Gold Medal for Middle Grade Fiction at the 2024 Nautilus Book Awards.
Selected for International School Suva’s Class 6 curriculum in 2024, the book is designed for children aged 8 to 12, but appeals to readers of all ages. Kaliopate Tavola, a former Fijian diplomat, encouraged those concerned about climate change and deep-sea mining to read this book.
“Cries from the Moana” is available at various retailers in Fiji, including the University of the South Pacific Book Centre, Fiji Museum, and Baka Books, and can be found in 40 public libraries across Wellington and Auckland, as well as Te Papa Museum and several independent and university bookstores in New Zealand.