The Mouse and the Octopus

This children's picture book tells an old Tongan fable about a mischievous mouse and an unwitting octopus. An origin story, its illustrations take the reader from a Tongan forest to the edge of a fringing reef.

The story is a parable to teach fishing lure design and exemplifies the knowledge contained within island communities. It also teaches children how the environment sustains us, fostering an appreciation for the Pacific's unique ecosystem and the need for its preservation.

12 full page illustrations, with small ink drawings that accompany the text.

Finalist Best First Book Award 2017 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults

Lisala Halapua (Illustrated by)

Paperback / softback Picture book 26pp h230mm x w247mm