Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem
by Selina Tusitala Marsh
Mophead’s, or Selina Tusitala Marsh’s, journey continues in this second delightful book. Note the pun in the short title.
If you can take the time to click over to my review of the first, Mophead: How Your Difference Makes a Difference,
http://www.flaxroots.com/flaxflower/autobiographical-tale-a-delight you’ll appreciate the backstory to this before continuing.
Now read on.
Here is a sequel that’s even better than its excellent predecessor.
The author, having succeeded brilliantly in this country, takes a further huge step in her career when she receives a message from the Head of the Commonwealth. Can she achieve to the same high level in the UK?
The book, in hardcover as was the first, makes full use of its 100 pages as even the inside front and back covers are used and, in fact are a vital part of the text.
And again, using delightful cartoon-type illustrations and humorous asides, the storyline continues when Mophead, aka Selina Tusitala Marsh, aka poet laureate, is invited to write and perform a poem at a royal occasion in Westminster Abbey. There are rules imposed that must be adhered to.
The poem she presents, “Unity”, is included right at the beginning – it introduces the storyline and sets the theme –
Let’s talk about unity
Here in London’s Westminster Abbey
A simply-written message in rhyming couplets, it clearly states values, personal and universal.
In London, with top royals present, the rules are adhered to, but poetry can be subversive, and “Unity” reveals an alternative history and comment on colonialism and the Pacific.
“Unity” is a relevant text poem for school study. The whole book, Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem, likewise.
This is a book that looks so simple yet is obviously the result of a great amount of thought, work, writing, drawing, rewriting. It has been well worth all the effort put into it.
In terms of books it’s not lengthy, but it is huge!
by Selina Tusitala Marsh
Mophead’s, or Selina Tusitala Marsh’s, journey continues in this second delightful book. Note the pun in the short title.
If you can take the time to click over to my review of the first, Mophead: How Your Difference Makes a Difference,
http://www.flaxroots.com/flaxflower/autobiographical-tale-a-delight you’ll appreciate the backstory to this before continuing.
Now read on.
Here is a sequel that’s even better than its excellent predecessor.
The author, having succeeded brilliantly in this country, takes a further huge step in her career when she receives a message from the Head of the Commonwealth. Can she achieve to the same high level in the UK?
The book, in hardcover as was the first, makes full use of its 100 pages as even the inside front and back covers are used and, in fact are a vital part of the text.
And again, using delightful cartoon-type illustrations and humorous asides, the storyline continues when Mophead, aka Selina Tusitala Marsh, aka poet laureate, is invited to write and perform a poem at a royal occasion in Westminster Abbey. There are rules imposed that must be adhered to.
The poem she presents, “Unity”, is included right at the beginning – it introduces the storyline and sets the theme –
Let’s talk about unity
Here in London’s Westminster Abbey
A simply-written message in rhyming couplets, it clearly states values, personal and universal.
In London, with top royals present, the rules are adhered to, but poetry can be subversive, and “Unity” reveals an alternative history and comment on colonialism and the Pacific.
“Unity” is a relevant text poem for school study. The whole book, Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem, likewise.
This is a book that looks so simple yet is obviously the result of a great amount of thought, work, writing, drawing, rewriting. It has been well worth all the effort put into it.
In terms of books it’s not lengthy, but it is huge!
Review by Bronwyn Elsmore
Title: Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem
Author: Selina Tusitala Marsh
Publisher: Auckland University Press
ISBN: 9781869409449
RRP: $24.99 hardback
Available: bookshops
Author: Selina Tusitala Marsh
Publisher: Auckland University Press
ISBN: 9781869409449
RRP: $24.99 hardback
Available: bookshops
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