A Passion Project Turned Published Book

What began as a one-off gift for my baby niece evolved into a fully self-published board book that I illustrated, designed, and brought to life.

September - December 2025

Credits & Thank You’s

  • Afure Adah - publishing company branding and design consultation

  • Beatrice Mahuru and Pat Lohia - cultural consultation

  • Kaida - the inspiration behind it all

Background & Opportunity

Growing up in Papua New Guinea, I never saw children’s books that reflected my family’s culture or language. When my niece was born, I set out to create a small and meaningful gift: a numbers book in Hiri Motu, one of Papua New Guinea’s 800+ languages and the traditional language of my Motuan family. I illustrated it by hand and drew inspiration from the objects, animals, and traditions I grew up with.

What began as a personal keepsake revealed a broader opportunity:

  • Culturally specific early reading materials for Pacific Island children are incredibly limited.

  • Families abroad want tools that preserve language and support connection to their heritage.

  • Existing Hiri Motu and Motu resources are mostly digital or academic, which makes them harder for children to engage with.

This project became my way of bridging that gap through thoughtful design, cultural research, and purposeful storytelling.

Illustration & Visual Design

The illustration process followed a familiar UX arc: sketch, iterate, refine.

Visual Style Exploration

I explored several illustration styles before selecting a high-contrast silhouette approach. This style is easily recognizable for babies, who are a key audience, while still offering a visually refined look for caregivers.

Layout

Each spread pairs a number with its Hiri Motu translation and a corresponding illustration. This reduces cognitive load and supports early recognition.

Consistency

To ensure the book felt visually cohesive, I applied a consistent color palette, line quality, and illustration rhythm across all ten pages.

Behind the illustrations

  • bird of paradise

    The Raggiana bird-of-paradise is Papua New Guinea’s national bird, celebrated for its vibrant plumage and iconic courtship displays.

  • queen alexandra's birdwing

    The world’s largest butterfly species, native to the rainforests of Papua New Guinea and known for its striking wingspan.

  • lakatoi

    A traditional Motuan sailing vessel with distinctive crab-claw sails — a symbol of heritage closely tied to my family’s culture.

  • bilum

    A handwoven string bag made using traditional techniques; bilums are used every day across PNG and often carry cultural meaning.

  • southern cross

    A constellation featured prominently on Papua New Guinea’s flag, representing guidance and connection across the Pacific.

  • lime pot

    A small carved container used to hold lime powder — an essential part of the long-practiced cultural tradition of betelnut chewing.

  • sea turtle

    Sea turtles are found throughout PNG’s coastal waters and are important to many local communities and ecosystems.

  • fish

    These fish species are commonly found in the waters around Papua New Guinea and the wider Pacific, reflecting the region’s rich marine life.

  • kundu

    A traditional hourglass-shaped drum used in ceremonies and celebrations across PNG, known for its resonant sound and carved detailing.

  • seashell

    These shells are collected along PNG’s coastlines and have been used historically in decoration, trade, and cultural adornment.

Production and Manufacturing

Once the artwork was complete, the project moved into production and logistics.

Vendor Selection

I began by sourcing printers who specialize in board books and comparing their material quality, finishes, color accuracy, and shipping feasibility to determine the best fit for a small-scale print run.

Preparing Print Files

After selecting a vendor, I prepared all print files by creating CMYK press-ready layouts, setting up bleeds, and reviewing digital proofs. I also adjusted colors to ensure accurate output on coated board book stock, which can shift hues during production.

Shipping and Customs


With the files approved, I coordinated freight shipments from China to both Papua New Guinea and the United States, managed the customs documentation required for international entry in each location, and arranged final delivery through local contacts. This phase functioned much like launching a physical product and required close attention to timing, documentation, and communication across multiple partners.

Outcome and Impact

This project resulted in a fully illustrated and self-published 6x6” board book that brings Hiri Motu numbers into homes near and far.

This project reminded me that meaningful products can exist in any form, whether digital, physical, or somewhere in between. It strengthened my belief that the best work happens at the intersection of culture, design, and storytelling.

Count from 1 to 10 in Hiri Motu, one of Papua New Guinea’s 800+ languages. With cultural charm and bright colors, this keepsake board book makes learning joyful for little ones and their families.

Details:

  • Format: Board Book

  • Size: 6×6 inches

  • Pages: 22

  • Language: Motu, English

  • Released Date: December 2025

  • ISBN: 979-8-218-82125-8