Our mission is to preserve fa’asamoa by fostering connections, collaboration, and community. We strive to uplift tagata Samoa and nurture strong relationships that cultivate trust within our community. We prioritize accessibility by partnering with organizations for book donations and by finding stockists in strategic locations worldwide, ensuring that Gagana Samoa board books are available and accessible for every pepe.
Meet the Founders
Duseigneur and Jimmi have been connected by the Pacific Ocean since birth—long before they ever met. With Duseigneur hailing from American Samoa and Jimmi from San Diego, their shared love for the ocean is a grounding reminder of their roots and their connection to one another.
When they were expecting their first pepe, they searched for Samoan board books to introduce everyday language in the earliest years—and found none. What began as a small project to make books for their own aiga quickly grew into a movement of families, caregivers, and educators who shared the same desire for their tamaiti: to hear, speak, and love Gagana Sāmoa from the beginning.
As their family has grown, so has the work. And with that growth has come the need to slow down, honor capacity, and shape the business in a way that is sustainable and meaningful. They have chosen to transition from direct retail to wholesale partnerships—working with retailers, schools, and community organizations who can carry their books forward.
This shift allows these books to reach more hands, more homes, and more classrooms—while still caring for the heart of where this all began: family, language, and connection.
From our aiga to yours, fa‘afetai tele lava for walking alongside us in this journey.
Meet our Artists
Faitau Pi: The Samoan alphabet & O Le Aso Na Va’ai Ai Le Māsina I Le Lā
Dalcetta Palepale
Mother of two and Seattle based artist, Dalcetta Palepale, creates uplifting work that offers another space for Polynesians to feel seen and included. Weaving her Samoan and Tongan culture through her art, she hopes to tell stories that her children and children’s children can pass on.Pictured is her as a baby visiting her mothers mother, Tuaula K. Sivaivai, in her family's village of Fa’ilolo American Samoa. (llustrator of Faitau Pi: The Samoan Alphabet and O Le Aso Na Vaai Ai Le Masina I Le La).
O A'u Upu Muamua E 101 I Le Gagana Samoa Volume I & II and O La'u Tusi Lanu Uliuli Ma Pa'epa'e Muamua (My First Black and White Book)
Kerilyn Clarke
I am a māmā to my son Mākoha, based here in South Auckland, New Zealand and of Māori (Ngāti Porou) and Sāmoan (Letogo, Upolu / Faala Palauli, Savai’i) descent.Kreated by Kerilyn was created to showcase my love and passion for family and culture through digital art, intertwining my Māori and Sāmoan roots in the hope of inspiring and educating our community. (Illustrator of O A'u Upu Muamua E 101 I Le Gagana Samoa).
Counting Pe'a in the moonlight
Olivia Melvin
Olivia Melvin is a digital illustrator who brings vibrant, whimsical worlds to life. Inspired by her intuition, love of nature, and animals, she captures the wonder and magic of the world around us in every piece. Her art invites us to remember our inherent spiritual connection to the earth and all its beings.
Samoan Language Editor
Born in Upolu, Samoa, grown in Hawaii, Saipan and New Zealand, I'm a wordsmith, designer and developer currently in a long-term hyperfixation with the Samoan language and culture.
And sometimes I make art.