About Children of the Pacific
Real Pacific Childhoods — Simple. Visual. Relatable.
Children of the Pacific is a unique series of non-fiction picture books that takes young readers into the everyday lives of children growing up across the Pacific Islands.
The series began with a moment many teachers and librarians will recognise. Jill MacGregor, a teacher and curriculum writer, looked across a school library and saw what was missing: Pasifika students could not find books that reflected their own culture, and other children had no way to understand their classmates cultures from across the Pacific.
On her travels through the islands, Jill began listening to children’s stories — and photographing their homes, schools, and celebrations. With the help of her son Scott MacGregor, a graphic designer and photographer, those real voices became the first Children of the Pacific books.
Although Jill has now retired, her legacy continues.
The Team Behind the Books
Åsa — Author
Åsa first came to New Zealand from Sweden as a student at Paraparaumu College. She met her partner here, and together they raised two children bilingually in Raumati. After returning to Sweden, she taught in a multicultural primary school. Today she is back on the Kāpiti Coast, working in a kindergarten where she uses Te Reo Māori as much as possible in her daily teaching.
With her own background in bilingual family life and multicultural education, Åsa brings fresh perspective to the Children of the Pacific series. Like Jill before her, she is committed to telling stories that are simple, visual, and relatable — showing Pacific childhoods as they are lived.
Scott MacGregor — Visuals & Publishing
Jill’s son, Scott MacGregor, now runs the publishing of Children of the Pacific. A graphic designer, Scott is responsible for the book design and photography that give the series its strong visual impact. His images capture the colour, detail, and humanity of Pacific life, ensuring every book remains true to the series’ hallmark: real children, real places, real lives.
Together, Åsa and Scott continue the mission that Jill began — bringing Pacific stories to classrooms and libraries in a form that children love and educators can trust.
Why Librarians Value This Series
- Authentic & Respectful: First-person accounts paired with real photography, offering cultural integrity you can rely on.
- Engaging for Primary Students: Simple, clear language for emergent readers, yet rich for class discussions.
- Curriculum-Aligned: Supports Social Sciences, Technology, and English at Levels 1–3 of the New Zealand Curriculum.
- Visual Impact: Full-colour photographs hold attention, make concepts concrete, and support visual learners.
- Inclusive Collections: Gives Pasifika children the joy of seeing themselves in books, while helping all students build empathy for diverse cultures.
For Your Library
School librarians across New Zealand tell us these books quickly become student favourites — because children recognise themselves in the stories, or are fascinated by the differences and similarities they see.
Whether you’re building a multicultural collection, supporting Pacific Language Weeks, or looking for high-interest non-fiction for early readers, Children of the Pacific is designed for your shelves.