By Monique C. Storie, University of Guam

A young Micronesian student recently remarked, “I am a child of the village.” This powerful declaration resonates with many Pacific Islanders because it captures an enduring connection to deep-seated values, cultural heritage and social norms that shape personal identity as well as one’s place within the community. Inspired by her words, this collection explores what life as an islander truly looks like, highlighting the many ways our Pacific identities are expressed through family, tradition and everyday island life.

In many Pacific Islander communities, multigenerational living is a natural part of life, with extended family present in the small, everyday moments. Grandparents help raise their grandchildren, sharing stories and wisdom between chores, meals and play; cousins grow up as lifelong companions (and at times, cherished partners-in-mischief), and aunties, uncles and other relatives are never far, ready to guide, to encourage, or to join in laughter and celebration. These daily connections by both blood and chosen family build strength and resilience, shape character and foster a spirit of togetherness that helps form the heart of the village. The stories in this collection emphasize that being a child of the village means growing and thriving with the unwavering support of family and community, carrying forward the deep-seated values and wisdom that shape Pacific Islander life.

WOW Dozen features a list of 12 global books for children and adolescents around a theme, topic, issue or personal favorites. Each Dozen consists of ten newly-published titles with two older “must have” books. Please share or recommend additional books that fit the theme in the comments section or on social media using #WOWDozen. Use the printer icon in the upper left corner of this post to print or save this list as a PDF.​

array(13) {
  ["_edit_lock"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(14) "1759166886:264"
  }
  ["_edit_last"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(3) "264"
  }
  ["_thumbnail_id"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(5) "42094"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_content_score"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(2) "30"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_primary_category"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(4) "5239"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(80) "https://wowlit.org/wp-content/media/Lalai-I-Bilembaotuyan-by-Catherine-Payne.jpg"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(5) "47053"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(80) "https://wowlit.org/wp-content/media/Lalai-I-Bilembaotuyan-by-Catherine-Payne.jpg"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(5) "47053"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_focuskw"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(17) "Pacific Islanders"
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_metadesc"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(145) "This month Monique Storie presents a dozen titles that feature Pacific Islander characters, inspired by the phrase "I am a child of the village.""
  }
  ["_yoast_wpseo_linkdex"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(2) "73"
  }
  ["_wp_old_date"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "2025-09-03"
  }
}

• Themes: 13 Months in Malesso’, An Taya Electrisidat, Cannonball, Catherine Payne, Desiree Taimanglo Ventura, Dolores Barcinas Santos, ‎Dolphin Day, Evelyn Flores, Heike Strempel-Bevacqua, Holly Braffet, I am a Rainbow, I Wonder Where the Yellow Went, Innocenta Sound-Kikku, Jack Lujan Bevacqua, Jessica Perez-Jackson, John Payne II, Josh Morgan, Lagi and the Heart of the Islands, Lalai I Bilembaotuyan, Lance J. Osborn, Lissette Yamase, Litea Fuata, Mark Kanemura, Maryann Tuifatu, Michael Lujan Bevacqua, Monique Storie, Myo Yim, Papa Says Shaka!, Richard Merritt, Sacha Cotter, Silent Warriors, Sumahi Chan Bevacqua, The Adventures of Akli’e’, Veronica Cruz, Vivian Lujan Bryan, White Sunday, Zoe Leigh
• Descriptors: WOW Dozen