Author Archives: Reading Warrior

This term I’m working with some great children and their whānau at St Francis School in Pt Chev, Auckland. We’re making a book about Matariki – how it inspires them in their lives.

I always love sharing stories with young people about how reading can literally save and change your life. Today I was at Wesley College – blessed and inspired by these talented young people.

Hey guys I’ve just released 4 new books in the Pasifika Superheroes bilingual series: 2 Samoan and 2 Tongan. These books come with narration as well so the children can listen to them being read in Samoan, Tongan and English. … Read More

I’m working on a children’s book about UFC champion Israel Adesanya. The illustrator is the amazing Ant Sang and you can see more of Ant’s work here: http://www.antsang.co.nz/. This is a sneak peek from the drafting stage, can’t wait to … Read More

I’m working with the team at Mahi for Ukraine to make a book of encouraging messages and pictures by Kiwi young people for the Ukrainian young people who will soon be arriving in NZ with their families, fleeing the attacks … Read More

X-factor Kiwi kids at St Francis School in Pt Chev. These Tongan children are so proud their brother is in the front cover photo of Rise of the To’a. By the way these children are all siblings … 4 sets … Read More

Today we had another launch for the book, Rise of the To’a, the MMT story. This launch was held for the Tongan community at Lesieli Tonga church in Mangere. It’s been an amazing blessing to be part of this work … Read More

I spent this week visiting schools in Wellington to encourage young people to read. My main message is that books are so powerful they can change your life, as they did for people like Dr Ben Carson and Steven Adams. … Read More

This year Chad Sta-Krucial Robertson and I have been working on an awesome project with the Tuvalu Auckland Community Trust. We made 8 bilingual Tuvaluan children’s books, one representing each island of Tuvalu, and today the books were launched as … Read More

Today ‘Alisi Tatafu and I launched our children’s book Rise of the To’a (the MMT story) online in Tonga. We would have been there if it wasn’t for COVID but there’s still so much to be thankful for, especially learning … Read More

Massive arohas and shout out to Indira Stewart and the team at Radio NZ for hosting our team of Flat Bush student writers and recording them reading their stories. An awesome experience for all of us! #flatbushwriters #readNZ #writingwarriors

Today we launch a new book in the bilingual Pasifika Superheroes series: Who Stole My Taro? Taro is one of the most popular foods in the Samoa. You can bake it and eat it with palusami. You can boil it … Read More

Today ‘Alisi Tatafu and I launched our children’s book Rise of the To’a (the MMT story) at Mangere College as part of Tongan Language Week celebrations. The book even had its own cake! Why Mangere College? ‘Alisi is a current … Read More

I’m working with young writers at Flatbush School this term and today we had an inspiring visit by Raymond Sagapolutele. Raymond is a professional photographer and an amazing role model for our young Pasifika storytellers. “You are orators and your … Read More

I’m working with young writers at Flatbush School this term and today we had an inspiring visit by Indira Stewart. Indira is an award winning journalist and an amazing role model for our young Pasifika writers. “Your story is so … Read More

Hey family if you want some reading material to inspire your kids and keep up their reading levels during the lock down, you could try Reading Warrior eBooks. They’re just $2.95 each during this time and family friendly. How about … Read More

Today I was blessed to be invited to St Mary MacKillop School in Mangere as their “Author of the Month.” The student librarians wrote to me asking if I could visit because they want their friends and peers to do … Read More

“Hi David. Just thought I would let you know about a mum who came in this morning to tell me about her son last night.  He normally kind of grunts when she asks him about his day but last night … Read More

Today I did a writing workshop with students at Southern Cross Campus in Mangere. Here’s what some of the students thought about our time together: “I enjoyed learning the skill of using the newspaper into making a whole interesting story.” … Read More

Great day launching my new book about Yvette Williams in two communities: in Howick where Yvettte lived, with her family, and in Otara where Chad Robertson (illustrator) and I live and work, with our families.