A series of children’s books has been published to entertain and inspire children and families to rediscover and learn the value of traditional knowledge.

The colourful “Nature’s Whisper Series” books written in both Cook Islands Māori and English were launched yesterday at the Emergency Management Cook Islands (EMCI) office.

Charles Carlson, the former director of EMCI and the president of Cook Islands Rugby League, is the author of these wonderful books that are designed to provide an insight into the old practices such as observing animal behaviour, tree cycles and bird patterns as warning signs for impending natural disasters.

Carlson retired as the director of EMCI in June 2021 after serving for 15 years in the role.

“I was motivated to write these books by the preservation of the knowledge that we have learnt from our elders,” said Carlson.

“This is something that I picked up that perhaps we should have done years ago when we did the interviews. Since then, many of our elders have passed away - so that’s knowledge that’s gone.

“However, I’m pleased that I’ve captured something that we can treasure not only for us, but for the next generation. We need to keep the knowledge, present the knowledge, document it, and put it in writing.”

Carlson targets his books toward children, which dates back to the early years when EMCI was trying to promote disaster awareness in schools.

He believes it is more effective when children are taught about traditional practices and disaster emergencies as they grow up, so they know and retain what they learn.

“Look at our elders, traditional knowledge was a part of their life, they were aware of it and grew up knowing how to read and to look for the warning signs from nature,” he said.

Charles Carlson has launched his first series of children’s books written in both Māori and English. He is pictured with his wife Vina Winchester Carlson at the launch yesterday. MELINA ETCHES/25013005

“If we teach our children, they will grow up with that knowledge.”

Carlson noted that many local Māori stories are not published, preventing Cook Islanders from learning and retaining the knowledge, and passing it on.

Fluent in speaking Māori, he thought he would have a go at translating his English books into Māori.

“But I couldn’t translate the first page and thought this is terrible.”

Maraurau o te Pae Api’i (Ministry of Education) advisor and Māori lecturer at USP Cook Islands, Mariana Mataio, translated the books into Māori.

Two books of the three-book series have been translated into Māori, with one to go.

EMCI director John Strickland was excited for the office to play a part in the launch.

“He (Carlson) has a legacy with the office and I thought it was appropriate that we do the launch for his books here,” said Strickland. “Even after your retirement you have pursued the work you began so many years ago. Your vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping not just this book project, but also the foundation of preserving our traditional knowledge for future generations.”

Carlson kindly donated copies of his books to Maraurau o te Pae Api’i representatives Marianna Mataio and Mairi Mokoroa Heather, and other guests.

The “Nature’s Whisper Series” books are available at the Bounty Book Store located next to Cook Islands Tourism in town, and at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturdays. The English version will also be available on Kindle.