Posted on: Sunday, May 2, 2004

BOOKMARK
Hawai'i's children speak from their hearts

By Wanda Adams
Advertiser Books Editor

Kids' Day was celebrated last Tuesday with a special edition of The Advertiser sold to benefit Parents and Children Together, a consortium of agencies that assist children and families. Regardless of whether you contributed then, you have a chance to do still: BeachHouse Publishing, a new O'ahu publisher, has released "What Every Parent Should Know: Advice from Hawai'i's Keiki for Parents Everywhere," a collection of poems, short sayings, artwork and mini-essays produced by entrants in the consortium's Kids' Creativity Contest, part of the Kids Day festivities. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the $12.95 hardcover go to the consortium.

While there are predictable sentiments and even the odd whiney bit in the book, even the most cynical reader will find it difficult not to be impressed by the writing skill shown by several young poets and essayists, as well as by several of the drawings, including the cover art by eighth-grader Jestacy Leano. "Be delighted in me. Be the beginning of each beautiful day. Be a very, very passionate friend. Believe in me," urges 4th grader Rosalyn Peralta. "Even though/I sometimes get in trouble,/You help me/To fix my heart," sixth-grader Grant Yamada tells his parents. "Sometimes parents should know what's behind a smile," writes eighth-grader Jamie Domingo, captioning a piece of artwork in which a young girl cries behind the backs of a smiling family.

Well-designed and well-made, in a squarish gift-book shape with slick paper and lots of splashes of color, I'm predicting a big Mother's and Father's Day business for this one.