Mophead Tu: The Queen's Poem

Mophead #2

by Selina Tusitala Marsh

In the sequel to the bestselling Mophead, Selina is invited to read a poem for the Queen in Westminster Abbey. Someone at work calls her a sellout. What will she do?
In her bestselling and award-winning book, Mophead, poet laureate and fast talking PI Selina Tusitala Marsh recounted her experience growing up Pasifika in Aotearoa and realising how her (and your) difference can make a difference.

In Mophead Tu, Selina is crowned Commonwealth Poet and invited to perform for the Queen in Westminster Abbey. But when someone at work calls her a ‘sellout’, Selina starts doubting herself. Can she stand with her people who struggled against the Queen . . . and still serve the Queen?

From the sinking islands in the South Seas to the smoggy streets of London, Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem is a hilariously thought-provoking take on colonial histories and one poet’s journey to bridge the divide.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Poetry, Picture Books, Autobiography

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Dr Selina Tusitala Marsh is of Samoan, Tuvaluan, English, Scottish and French descent. She was the first Pacific Islander to graduate with a PhD in English from The University of Auckland and is now Associate Professor in the English Department, specialising in Pasifika literature. Her first collection, the bestselling Fast Talking PI, won the NZSA Jessie Mackay Award for Best First Book of Poetry in 2010. She has published two additional collections, Dark Sparring (2013) and Tightrope (2017). Marsh represented Tuvalu at the London Olympics Poetry Parnassus event in 2012; her work has been translated into multiple languages and has appeared in numerous forms live in schools, museums, parks, billboards, print and online literary journals. As Commonwealth Poet (2016), she composed and performed for the Queen at Westminster Abbey. She became New Zealand’s Poet Laureate in 2017 and in 2019 was appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to poetry, literature and the Pacific community.

Reviews

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved and I love it's sequel as well!

Selina (NZ's Poet Laureate at the time) is invited to read a poem to the Queen at Westminster Abbey.

Being called a

doesn't phase her, but having to work from a word that the Queen has chosen calls for a bit of thinking and reflection.

The book that has resulted is hilarious!

The illustrations aren't quite the same quality as the first Mophead book (but I love this one of the late Prince Philip!)

This book has some important and thought provoking messages.

Rock on, Selina!

https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compulsory for every school library in New Zealand, this is the second volume of renowned and awesome poet Selina Tusitala Marsh and not only is it fabulously illustrated, it is an engaging poetic story of determination and pride. The story of how one of our most celebrated poets comes to read her poem for the Queen. Representing her country, her culture and herself in the most amazing way.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reviewed Tusitala-Marsh’s first “Mophead” picture book, but I loved this one even more. This follow up really tickled my niche interests, by exploring colonialism in an accessible but meaningful way. I’ll definitely be using this one at school next year.

[Miss Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another beautiful book, this time playing with purple as a highlight colour notably in reference to royalty, but perhaps also quality! The illustrative nod to the past was seen by the fact that the Queen's helper communicated via a landline, whilst Tusitala had a mobile.
To me, the storyline highlights the sense of responsibility any writer or storyteller has and the fine lines they have to walk between being true to oneself without alienating others. That's perhaps not the right word since sometimes cold truths do alienate.
I liked the various responses to hearing the five rules for the poem which could've been seen as restrictions rather than a challenge.
There's a nice nod to the various histories and where we currently "stand". I loved the advice to ignore "the sting" and the breakdown or rather new meaning found in the words 'unity' and 'Tusitala'. We are encouraged to read with a post-colonial lens and see what has changed and where we are - it's all right to be "stuck in the middle."

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this memoir we follow Selina as the new Commonwealth Poet as she attempts to write a poem for the Queen and struggles to not only write a poem which represents her and her people but also doesn’t ignore their troubled past with colonisation. This is the follow up graphic novel to Mophead which I read previously this year!

I absolutely adored this book! This was such the perfect add on to Mophead and I loved to hear more of Selina’s story! This book is beautiful inside and out with gorgeous illustrations that are so much fun and add so much to the story. This memoir is not just beautiful though, it also describes colonisation and the far from perfect history between the Islands in the Southern Pacific and England in such simple terms that could be understood by everyone. This is the perfect book to educate children about history but also a keepsake to have on your shelves forever. I will treasure these two books forever and will definitely be reading them to my children in the future.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars. It is a perfect gem of a book for all.
A beautiful message, funny, interesting, thoughtful and impactful.
The pictures are perfect blended with the message.
It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think and I finished it in 10 minutes. A perfect book!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book. The story of how The Queens poem came to be written. Highly recommended

[Paddy Rockell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a brilliant example of a story that has the ability to talk about a dark thing in a light way. The thing being, in this case, colonialism. Selina Tusitala Marsh has done fabulous work with this book and I hope to read more.

[Sonia Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this second book in the Mophead graphic memoir series. Dr. Marsh does a fantastic job in making the colonial history of Asian Pacifika islands, racial discrimination, and cultural differences understandable for young readers. Her illustrations are humorous and visually appealing. I appreciated the images Dr. Marsch created of herself and public and lesser known characters as well as books by global authors that have influenced her writing and teaching practices. I recommend this book for kids to read.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

MOPHEAD TU: The Queen’s Poem
The journey towards creating a royally-sanctioned poem. ***

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book. I loved the message of unity instead of choosing one side or the other.

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love her journey!