Format: Board Book
Size: 6×6 inches
Pages: 22
Language: Motu, English
Written & Illustrated by Uvie Adah
Released Date: December 2025
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.
What began as a personal keepsake uncovered a larger need: culturally specific early reading materials for Pacific Island children are scarce, families in the diaspora seek tangible tools to preserve language and heritage, and most existing Hiri Motu and Motu resources are digital or academic rather than child-friendly. This project became my way of bridging that gap through intentional design, cultural research, and purposeful storytelling.
Illustration & Visual Design
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.
Production & Manufacturing
Vendor selection & prepping print files
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.
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 & 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.
Reflection
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.
Credits
My sincerest thanks go out to my family, who helped me bring this book to life. I am me because of you.
Afure Adah - publishing company branding and design consultation
Beatrice Mahuru and Pat Lohia - cultural consultation
Kaida - the inspiration behind it all