Our collection of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) is available to the public. *Inclusion of a title in the collection DOES NOT EQUAL a recommendation.* Click here for more on book evaluation.
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21 matching books
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Sakamoto’s Swim Club
"When the children of workers on a 1930s Maui sugar plantation were chased away from playing in the nearby irrigation ditches, local science teacher Soichi Sakamoto had an idea. He offered to take responsibility for the children --- and then he began training them how to swim. Using his science background, Sakamoto devised his own innovative coaching techniques: he developed a strict practice regime for the kids, building their strength and endurance by using the ditch water's natural current. The children worked hard under the dedicated Sakamoto's guidance, and their skills improved. They formed a swim club and began to dominate in swimming events around the world. And then one day, the proud Sakamoto saw an impossible dream come true --- Olympic gold!" -- publisher
Kai Goes to the Farmers Market in Hawai’i
"Kai wakes up hungry. What's a kid to do when there's no food in the fridge? Kai's mom tells him to grab his hat and off they go to visit the farmers market where they see all kinds of local food--fruit and veggies galore. Kai is surprised to learn everything he sees is grown right here in Hawaii. A recipe is included in the back of the book." -- publisher
Milo’s Endless Drawing Pad
"Milo is frustrated that his drawings don't turn out the way he sees them in his head. His grandpa encourages him to keep drawing, but Milo has used up all the paper. Milo's grandpa says he doesn't need paper to draw. They go outside and onto the beach. Milo picks up a long, long stick and drags it behind him in the sand. Noticing that his stick has made a mark in the sand, Milo's grandpa starts to draw pictures. As he finishes a drawing, a wave comes and washes it away so he can try again. Milo draws with his stick as well and learns that his drawings don't have to be perfect; he just has to keep on drawing. This simple yet heartwarming story is for any budding artist who needs a gentle reminder that it s the process of creating that counts and all you need is endless imagination." -- publisher
It’s Just Aging!
"Lily is a playful young girl who loves her Tutu and Papa. On this beautiful day in Hawai`i, Lily learns how to make her Tutu's famous banana bread and, in the process, discovers some of the benefits and challenges of growing up." -- publisher
Maile and the Huli Hula Chicken
"Initially amused when a runaway chicken joins in while they are practicing their hula dance for the big birthday luau, Maile and her cousin Lani are horrified when the same chicken appears on the day of the performance." -- publisher
The Story of Hula
"Tells the history of the hula, from modern hula as an entertainment, to ancient hula, which teaches the spiritual and cultural traditions of Hawai'i." -- publisher
A Story of Surfing
"While learning to surf, a young girl dreams that she is part of the great span of surfing history, which includes ancient kings and queens of Hawaiʻi, as well as the more modern surfing greats like Duke Kahanamoku and Rell Sunn. In a palette that reflects the rich colors of Hawaiʻi’s skies and sea, Carla Golembe paints a story whose rhythm and rhyme capture the feel of riding a board on Waikīkī’s fabled waves. The accompanying read-along CD further adds the sounds of Hawaiʻi." -- publisher
Okinawan Princess
"Okinawan Princess is an illustrated, transpacific feminist fairy tale for all readers that illuminates an ancient tradition and pushes back against normative standards of beauty." -- publisher When Gramma notices how much her granddaughter wishes she could look like a supermodel, Gramma shares how her own mother was made fun of when she moved to Hawaii from Okinawa due to the bold blue hajichi tattoos on the back of her hands. Gramma then reveals the legend behind those mysterious markings. When the Okinawan Princess is kidnapped by Japanese pirates, will she wait for someone to save her or will she be able to outwit her captors? This trilingual story is written in Hawaii Creole, then translated into Japanese and the endangered indigenous Okinawan language called Uchinaaguchi. Okinawan Princess is part of ongoing efforts to revitalize Okinawan language, history and culture worldwide." -- publisher
Hina and the Sea of Stars
"Retells the myth of the Hawaiian goddess Hina, the mother of the Hawaiian people, who makes the bark cloth that forms the clouds, and is the one responsible for the moon and stars being in the sky." -- publisher
The Good Song
The day the baby boy was born, on a beautiful Hawaiian island, the world sang him a lullaby. What a good song. But what is the good song? The boy listens for it and finds it in his heart and shares it with the world. Inspired by the medley of the classic songs "Over the Rainbow" and "What a Wonderful World" sung by Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, the good song is aloha--love