We’ve Got a Book

Jay Laga’aia, a well-known entertainer and actor from Star Wars and Jay’s Jungle, returned to his old school in Freemans Bay to launch his new children’s book ‘We’ve Got a Boat’ this month.


Joined by illustrator and top-level sailor Donovan Bixley, as well as four current members of the America’s Cup team, the launch was an exciting and fun-filled morning for the students of Freemans Bay School.

Cartoonist Donovan Bixley began the show by drawing a boat following prompts from the students, with the final result having three hulls, two masts and an underwater dragon. This was followed by a Q+A with the America’s Cup sailors, Richard Meacham, Guy Endean, Josh Junior and Andy Maloney, who also passed around various pieces of equipment used on board such as helmets and steering wheels.

The height of the show was a performance by Jay himself, who entertained the students with stories and songs from his book, encouraging active participation and dancing throughout.

Jay describes the book as “a celebration of the amazing accomplishments of team New Zealand at the America’s Cup” and hopes his stories and songs help bring sailing to a new generation of New Zealanders.

We’ve Got A Boat is published by Scholastic and comes with a sing-along CD, and is available now.
(GEORGE SHIERS)