Adults looking for holiday gift ideas for keiki can't go wrong with these new local books.

WAIKIKI LULLABY

by Beth Greenway; illustrated by Alexis America

$7.95, ages 0-3, BeachHouse Publishing

A child's hand-size sturdy board book that brings to mind the classic "Goodnight Moon," but solidly stands on its own as an original work. Delicate illustrations of three little keiki complement the calming text, which includes the lines, "Hear Uncle play his steel guitar, hear ocean breezes sigh, hear lullabies from long ago, beneath a moonlit sky."

KEONI'S SPECIAL GIFT

By Dorinda Lum, Michael Furuya

$14.95, ages 4-8, Mutual Publishing

Have you ever read a book with a character so adorable, that you have an overwhelming urge to own a plush doll of that character? That's how I felt about Keoni, the little 'o'opu fish, in this picture book. Classic storytelling at its best, this is the sweet simple tale of a fish that wishes he could fly. Furuya's art soars.

THERE WAS AN OLD AUNTIE

Illustrated by John Aardema

$12.95, ages 4-8, BeachHouse Publishing

This picture book offers an incredibly clever local style twist on the little old lady who lived in a shoe. Auntie sets sail from Häna to the Mainland, where she finds herself living in a blue suede shoe. "It was dark and musty and windowless too." Unhappy with her house and homesick for the Islands, Auntie transforms her home into something as Hawaiian, and whimsical as can be.

WHEN THE CASSOWARY POOPED: A TALE OF NEW GUINEA

By Tamara Montgomery and Jodi Parry Belknap; illustrated by Joseph D. Dodd

$16.95, ages 4-8, Belknap Publishing

The talented trio continues a series of picture books about endangered animals from the countries and islands of the Pacific Rim. The cassowary is a shy ostrich-like bird that eats fruits. The bird's poop, or scat, is filled with seeds from the fruit, which helps the rainforest grow. Illustrated with striking, vibrant art. Directions for creating a Tissue Box Theatre can be downloaded from the Teacher's page at www.CalabashBooks.com.