Tama The Tui Has Been Down For A While A heartwarming tale of Tama the Tui, a young bird who has been feeling sad and blue. Join Tama as he discovers that sharing his feelings not only lightens his heart but also strengthens his bonds with his family and friends. Written by Alvante Harris Illustrated by Maria Carroll About Alvante I had what I would consider to be a pretty normal Aotearoa childhood, and yet I grew up with the perception that vulnerability was weakness. As a result, I have always been terrible at talking about my feelings. This is a common perception we have growing up here, and I believe this plays a massive role in the shocking state of our nation’s mental health. By showing tamariki that vulnerability is strength, we can change the narrative and improve the outcomes for anyone who suffers silently in this country. I really wanted to write a children’s book that mattered, one that I could have benefited from as a kid. This is my attempt. I hope you like it.
