Na Keda Vuata – Our Fruits

'Na Keda Vuata – Our Fruits' is a Fiji Children's book written entirely in Fijian for children aged 6 to 7 years old. Written by the late Mrs. Vika Maloni, from RFTA - Retired Fijian Teachers Association, with illustrations by Anare Somumu. It has 14 pages.

This book was written by Fijian teachers for teachers or parents - its intended use is in a classroom setting which is why it is A3 size with large font and bright illustrations. It can be placed on an easel in the front of the classroom and read to children who can view easily. It can also be enjoyed at home or anywhere outside of the classroom where children would want to read or hear Fijian stories.

Na Keda Vuata Book Description

In Fiji we are fortunate in the abundance of fruits that we can harvest right throughout the year. The ten fruits listed in this book are all sweet and luscious to consume, and most of them can be made into dessert (banana) and jam.

The story hopes to create awareness and appreciation of the environment around us and all the goodness it provides in the abundance of the various tropical fruits that we have readily available in Fiji.

IIS, RFTA & FTA - 10 books in the series

This series of 10 books has been put together by the Institute of Indigenous Studies (IIS) Fiji Ltd, which, in the main, is made up of RFTA (retired Fijian Teachers Association- teachers who have retired from teaching). RFTA is a Branch of Fijian Teachers Association, FTA.

All IIS books in this series

• Na Keda Vuata - Our Fruits
• Na Loga Ni Voivoi Nei Bubu Salote - The Pandanus Plantation of Grandmother Salote
• Na Qoli Vonu - Catching Turtles
• Jone Na Dautataro - Jone The Kind Considerate Boy
• O Mosese Kei Viliame - Mosese & Viliame
• Na Siganisucu Nei Marica - Marica’s Birthday
• O Iratou Na Veitavaleni - The Three Cousins
• O Tomu Kei Popi - Tom & Poppy
• Na Volivolitaki Ena Makete - Selling at the Market
• Na Sisi Ni Qele - Landslide

English notes that explain the illustrations and Fijian text

Fiji Author - Late Mrs. Vika A. Maloni

Originally from Dama in Bua, she taught at many primary schools in Fiji before becoming a lecturer at Nasinu Teachers College. She worked at the Schools Broadcast Unit and the Curriculum Development Unit of the Ministry of Education before retiring. Mrs. Maloni wrote a number of books in English and Fijian for Fiji schools, one of which is “Na Noda Bula na iTaukei” (2004).

She was a specialist in writing lyrics and composing songs and meke. She composed the lyrics and taught a number of traditional meke (dances) for special occasions for various schools and organizations like Adi Cakobau School, Ratu Kadavulevu School, Corpus Christi College and the Fijian Teachers’ Association.