Author(s): Catherine Hannken

NZ Children's

Nana is coming from Samoa especially for Selafina's tenth birthday. Selafina hasn't seen her since Nana left Auckland to go home to Samoa when Selafina was six years old, and she misses her Nana, a lot. Selafina is very excited and, as a special welcome, wants to dance the siva for her Nana.

Can Selafina learn the dance and overcome her own shyness in time for the big day? This is a beautifully told story of a young girl's commitment to learning and performing a dance that is very special to herself and to those around her. Through a story told gently and evocatively, with illustrations that perfectly capture the mood, we come to understand the depth of Selafina's affection for her grandmother and the feelings that challenge her at each stage as she learns the siva.

• Finalist, New Zealand Post Book Awards (Picture Book), 2004 First published 2003.