Books for Keiki
Storytime with animals
By Jolie Jean Cotton
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| In "Lehua – A Legend of Old Hawai'i," a girl, Lehua, must drive off a curse after she rescues a pig. To get rid of this curse of unhappiness, Lehua must solve a riddle. Together, she and the pig set off to gather clues in an attempt to solve the riddle. Big words prove a welcome challenge for keiki reading this picture book for older children.
Illustration by Dietrich Varez |
Big Island author/artist Dietrich Varez pens a lovely legend about a young girl's journey to drive off a kahuna's curse, cast upon her after she rescues a pig. To dispel the curse of unhappiness, Lehua must solve a riddle. Lehua names the grateful pig 'Ehu, and together they set off to gather clues in solving the riddle.
First they consult Pepeiao the tree fungus, then Pueo the owl, who sends them to find 'Enuhe the caterpillar: "It was the steady munching of sweet-potato leaves that gave 'Enuhe away.
Otherwise Lehua and 'Ehu would never have found him. His camouflage was flawless."
What I like best about this picture book for older children is the cozy "sitting around the campfire" feeling Varez's storytelling style evokes. Much longer than most picture books, this story runs nearly 40 pages, but its masterful pacing demands you continue reading through each spread. The occasional use of bigger words like "conversationalist," "melancholy" and "philosophizing" adds a pleasantly surprising challenge for young readers. And, of course, the story concludes with a satisfying end.
The author illustrates his story with distinctive colored pencil block prints that compliment the folksy feel of the tale. All in all, a very worthwhile publication.
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"FOOTLOOSE THE MONGOOSE AND HIS WONDERFUL 'OHANA" by Elaine Masters, illustrated by Jeff Pagay, Island Heritage, ages 4-8, $10.99
In her sequel to "Footloose the Mongoose and the Jumping Flea," Elaine Masters (who, for the record, occasionally reviews adult books for The Advertiser) explores the trials and tribulations of big families sharing close quarters. She succeeds in creating a story that has definite kid appeal.
Footloose's aunt, uncle and five cousins come to live with him when they lose their home. The night they arrive, Footloose and four of his cousins share the same bed:
"Everyone in the 'ohana slept well that night. Everyone except Footloose. When he turned on his left side, WHAM! Loko's shoulder bumped his nose. When he turned on his right side, WHACK! Moko's elbow banged his eye. When he lay on his back, WHOMP! Spim's leg slapped his stomach.
And Spam? He snored so hard the whole bed shook."
The next morning, Footloose and his friend Shifty stumble into trouble. Coming out the other end of near disaster unscathed, Footloose has a new appreciation for his extended family.
The book closes with a crisp explanation of the importance of Hawai'i 'ohana and the music, words and 'ukulele chords for an original song by the book's illustrator, Jeff Pagay, who provides the story's colorful cartoon art.
Masters is a free-lance writer who has eight previously published books.
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"ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR: THE TRUE STORY OF THE DAY AMERICA ENTERED WORLD WAR II" by Shelley Tanaka, paintings by David Craig, Hyperion, ages 9-12, $19.99
Author Shelley Tanaka's powerful recreation of the day America entered World War II alternates between eyewitness accounts of the children and young service men — both American and Japanese — who were there.
The book begins with a young beach-bound Peter Nottage shoving his surfboard into the back of the family car:
"It was December 6, 1941. Finally Saturday morning, and Peter could toss his shoes into the back of his closet for the weekend. That was the only problem with being in the seventh grade at Punahou School in Honolulu. Starting in the seventh grade, students had to wear shoes."
Peter has heard adults discussing the possibility of war, and we learn that some of Peter's best friends are Japanese Americans.
Shift to the next scene: "Commander Mitsuo Fuchida was worried. He stood on the bridge of the aircraft carrier Akagi and carefully scanned the gray Pacific Ocean. The six carriers of the Japanese fleet had reduced speed so they could take on fuel one last time. If the refueling was successful, the fleet would push south to Hawai'i, where Fuchida and his pilots were planning to change the course of history. In 24 hours, they would launch a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, dropping bombs and torpedoes on the Pacific base of the U.S. Navy. The daring of it still took his breath away."
This book covers a vast amount of information, from what led to the attack to its lasting impact on our world today.
An epilogue includes a recent photo of a silver-haired Peter Nottage, who now lives in Kane'ohe.
It's richly illustrated with previously unpublished photographs, maps and diagrams. John Lundstrom, author of four books on the Pacific war, serves as the historical consultant.
Jolie Jean Cotton's Books for Keiki is published the first Saturday of each month.
