Lisa Matsumoto and Michael Furuya ("How the B-52 Cockroach Learned to Fly," "Wailana the Waterbug") team up again to spin their first Hawaiian Christmas yarn. Santa's helper, Merry the Elf, has a penchant for speed that causes his accidental arrival in Hawai'i just before Christmas. Merry fears he will miss Christmas entirely in what is to him a foreign land. Santa's menehune helpers assure Merry that we celebrate Christmas in Hawai'i, too, and show him how. The central theme is that Christmas is about giving and sharing with others.

Furuya's images of Santa's helpers with oversized heads and expressive faces, in deep warm hues with illuminating glow, are magical.

'Ohi'a Productions is presenting a dramatic version of "The Christmas Gift of Aloha" live at Ala Moana Center. The free shows, about 35 minutes long, are fast-paced with wonderful acting, singing, and terrific costumes. It is enacted at 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays through Dec. 23 at Ala Moana Centerstage. (This is also the inspiration for the hilarious Ala Moana elf ads on TV.) Sure to supercharge anyone's holiday spirit.

This brilliantly executed picture book blends a well-crafted story and striking art to create a memorable experience for young and old. Author Tandy Newsome writes a tender-hearted story with perfect pacing. Don Robinson's illustrations, with characters charmingly small in stature, are enchanting. Mr. Miyataki graces the front cover with outstretched arms beckoning you to see his Marvelous Machine.

The story begins when Mr. Miyataki retires from his job at the sushi factory. His newfound freedom leaves Miyataki feeling adrift until his grandson Sean leads him to rediscovering his passion, which, in turn, inspires the community. The story subtly highlights what Hawai'i communities truly value. Bravo to Don Robinson who is raising the bar in locally published children's book illustration.

Author and educator Carolyn Han takes folk tales seriously. Currently on sabbatical in Yemen, Han regularly travels internationally to teach and collect stories. "Koa's Seed" is a story that has "traveled with camel caravans and sailing ships many times around the world." Han's retelling, in poetic prose, is the first version with a Hawaiian theme.

"Long, long ago in Hawai'i, there lived an ali'i, a leader, whose once-dark hair had turned the color of bleached shells. It was time, now, for him to appoint a successor. Whenever he was deep in thought, his fierce-looking eyebrows stuck out like tufts of dried sea grass. Although he had many sons and grandsons to choose from, he decided to do something different."

The men and boys gather before the ali'i and each is given a seed which must be tended for one year. At the end of the year, they will return with their plants and the ali'i will then decide who will succeed him. Young Koa chooses and nurtures his seed carefully, but nothing grows. Themes of courage, honesty and faith emerge from this compelling tale. Peterson's rich earthy toned illustrations complete the book's classic feel.

The opening lines set the tone for this free-wheeling tale:

"This is a story about a rascal bunch of rodents who nearly took over Waikiki Beach. Part of it is true, and the rest of it is jus' plain fun. So sit back, stick your toes in the sand, and have yourself one plenny good time."

The rats live in a banyan tree in Waikiki. Da Big Kahuna, Sistah Tuni, Rasta, Shaka and Sweetie surf by day and play music by night, until their partying gets out of hand. Da Mayah decides the rats need to be evicted, so the rats come up with a compromise plan. This is one of those fun, old-time stories you'd imagine hearing around the bonfire. Pagay's cartoon-style characters in cheerful colors work well with the light-hearted theme.