This hasn’t stopped her powering ahead with her quirky, humorous and very human stories and this second collection will not disappoint her fans.

Some of the stories will be remembered from when they appeared on PNG Attitude and some are brand new.

Her new children’s book is reminiscent of those wonderful (and politically incorrect) stories by writers such as Enid Blyton in the 1950s. It also helps fill a small space in the enormous void of good writing available to children in Papua New Guinea.

As a qualified teacher who runs her own Sylbeez Hive Learning Centre in Lae, Marlene is well aware of the sorts of books that appeal to younger people in Papua New Guinea.

Consequently there is none of the condescension frequently found in the works of non-national authors writing for Papua New Guinean children in Marlene’s stories. Her children’s book is based on the adventures of her little brother.

Marlene is from the beautiful Orian valley in the south of Bougainville.  She says, “I had a little brother, Sahoau who was always doing 'stuff' (building huts, gardening, hunting, fishing etc) when he was growing up.

"He was always exploring and going about our bushlands with his side kick, our cousin Caleb. 

"Warrollu in my Oria language is a name given to children who 'do all sorts of childhood play, resulting in humorous outcomes, but preparing them for adulthood’s serious chores’. I love writing for children.”

In both books Marlene has been ably assisted by editorial advice from Ed Brumby and both books are a tribute to their skills and diligence.