An innovative, interactive, and home-grown children's book with a twist is being released on the two-day Wāhine Summit at Matariki at Ohauiti's Eagle Ridge Country Estate.

The book, Brooklyn Builds a Bridge, is a future fantasy adventure for children aged 5-12 that draws on Māori culture and is inspired by real life experiences.

The book shows children that with radical imagination they can find their inner awesomeness and share their great ideas and gifts with others.

The book has been written by Stacey Mareroa-Roberts and illustrated by Travis Orams.

Te Puna resident Stacey Mareroa-Roberts is a mother of three, a writer, poet international speaker, and the creative director of Ignite Your Gift.

Stacey is a passionate Wāhine Māori with the superpower of visionary storytelling to inspire, connect and empower others and share their gifts with others for success.

With a decorated spell as an academic and a career in law and business, Stacey has written and published her own piece of local 'herstory” to effect positive change for young readers.

'It's written for the readers of the future, knowing that books can inspire and change minds but also transform. By connecting our young people with our books and an author and character that is representative of them, we can help them see the world from a different viewpoint,” Stacey says.

Brooklyn Builds a Bridge brings awareness to local places and spaces within Tauranga Moana through a little girl's eyes.

It celebrates the rich local Māori culture and history within Tauranga Moana and uses visual stories to imagine and create a future that includes Matauranga Māori knowledge and traditions.

An illustration from the book.

Stacey is also excited about the immediate and positive impact her book will have on young readers.

'I want to encourage young girls and boys to dream big, develop confidence and embrace the skills and gifts of various characters and people in the book to help them achieve their goals.”

Brooklyn Builds a Bridge also accommodates children of all abilities and reading levels with a QR code offering an extra multi-sensory experience so children can look at the pictures or follow along to Stacey's voice and explore the book themselves.

The gift of imagination coupled with a deeper understanding of te Reo Māori and Māori culture is something Stacey is eager to pass on.

'We want to make the books accessible for everyone and we have a special place for local kids who are on a journey to learning about te Reo Māori and Māori culture or are looking to connect in a more meaningful way for belonging to our special place,” she says.