As summer turns to fall, I always wish for more warm days before the cold comes. So if you, like me, want to ship yourself to a tropical paradise, try out one of these books that will take you straight to Hawaii, even if it's only in your imagination.
Illustrated by Mae Waite
Brooklyn, NY: Red Comet Press, 2024. Picture Book.
This book, which won the 2025 APALA Award for Best Picture Book, tells the story of a Hawaiian girl who gains connection to her culture through hula. She learns about her ancestors, native folklore, and the true meaning of aloha. This book, which is written in verse, is lengthy and is probably better for elementary-aged kids rather than toddlers, but kids will be drawn in by the excellent story and the gorgeous, bright illustrations.
New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2022. Picture Book.
Punky's grandmother needs butter to make her fresh, baked from scratch banana bread, so she sends Punky to the store to get some. The problem is that Punky is unbearably shy, there's no way that she'll be able to get the butter on her own. The good news is that Punky's grandmother has magical glasses that will make her brave. Armed with the glasses, Punky starts out on her journey where she finds many animals along the way that need her help. But when the glasses break, will she find that she can be brave on her own? This book is an excellent read aloud that kids will love.
By Malia Maunakea
New York: Penguin Workshop, 2023. Fiction. 298 pages.
New York: Penguin Workshop, 2023. Fiction. 298 pages.
New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 219 pages.
One of the most well-known historical events that took place
in Hawaii is the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This novel by Alan Gratz, who’s
known for his well-researched historical fiction, discusses the attack from the
point of view of two 13-year-old boys who live at the Ford Island Naval Air
Station, where their fathers are stationed. In addition to describing the
horrors of the day of December 7th, 1941, the novel also discusses
the after effects, particularly for Stanley who is half-Japanese. This is an engaging
novel about what it means to be brave amid disaster.
By Virginia Loh-Hagan
Ann Arbor, MI: Cherry Lake Press, 2023. Informational. 32 pages.It’s hard to learn about Hawaii without discussing how
colonization has impacted the islands. This book teaches children about the history
of the colonization and how they became a state as well as digging into the
reasons why the U.S. wanted to take over the island in the first place. It ends
with chapters about the Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement and the aftereffects that
colonization still has today.
By Trisha Kēhaulani Watson-Sproat and Matthew Kawaiola Sproat
Chicago, IL: Norwood House Press, 2023. Informational. 48 pages.If you are looking for more information about the culture of life in Hawaii today, this book is a great choice. It includes chapters on the history of Hawaii, life in the islands, celebrations, and Hawai’i today. The history of Hawai’i chapter includes not only information on how the islands have changed over time, but also Hawaiian mythology about how the islands were first formed. Readers can also learn about food, music, tattoos and more. The book concludes with information about why it is important to travel respectfully and responsibly to Hawaii and ways you can do it.
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