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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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20 matching books

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‘Iwalani’s Tree

2016

by Constance Hale and Kathleen Peterson

"On the North Shore of Oahu, a girl named 'Iwalani lives with her family not far from Kaena Point, at the island s westernmost tip. 'Iwalani likes to wander down the beach to a place where an ironwood tree stands as a windbreak--just on the spot where the land becomes sand. The tree is 'Iwalani's playground, jungle gym, secret friend, and wise elder, all in one. From the ironwood she learns about the cycles of nature, the promise of imaginative freedom, and the power of dreams. Written as a gentle poem, with soft rhythms and playful language, 'Iwalani's Tree is the perfect bedtime book. Like a soft wind, it will lull your child to sleep." -- publisher

Beautiful Life

The Bravest ‘Opihi

2014

by Juliet S. Kono and Dennis Fujitake

"Nani and her brother, Ikaika, go swimming at a beach shaped like the smile of the moon. Ignoring their mother's warning, they soon swim out much too far. Beneath the waves lies a giant eel who, before the children can stop him, grabs Ikaika by the leg and drags him to his underwater cave. Frantic, Nani turns to the sea creatures for help. One by one, each animal refuses her teary plea until, surprisingly, the smallest of them all meets the challenge and comes to the rescue proving that even the tiniest creatures can be the bravest." -- publisher

Folklore

Milo’s Endless Drawing Pad

2019

by Sheri Tomamoto and Vivian Mineker Chen

"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

Any Child

Pele and Poli’ahu

2018

by Malia Collins and Kathleen Peterson

"Long, long ago, on the Island of Hawaii, there lived two beautiful goddesses. Pele, the goddess of fire, lived on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Poliahu, the goddess of snow, lived on the snowcapped peaks of Mauna Kea. So begins the retelling of the classic Hawaiian legend a tale of fire and ice when Pele ventured off her fiery mountaintop to make mischief and challenge Poliahu to a sled race down the snowy slopes of Mauna Kea. It is a story about the power of nature, the power of wills, the power of skill, and an explanation of why the Big Island, to this day, is and island of contrasts." -- publisher

Beautiful Life

A Story of Surfing

2006

by Carla Golembe

"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

Beautiful Life

Ordinary ‘Ohana

2016

by Lee Cataluna and Cheyne Gallarde

"This is a little book about a big family making the point that family is who you choose and there's always room for more at Sunday dinner, even if it's on Saturday night, or Wednesday night, or whenever. In a time when families don't fit traditional definitions, Ordinary Ohana assures readers that a diverse family is a normal family. The book has a distinctive design and was packaged to imitate a family scrapbook feel. The book shares images of a contemporary Hawaii family both familiar and unique. The story unfolds through the experiences collected by a young boy named Kainoa. He has a pretty ordinary family life, according to him. But when he starts to introduce the various members of his ohana, he reveals a complicated but very sturdy and loving family structure that has been built, rebuilt, and reinforced over time. Kainoa describes generations-old Hawaii family traditions blended with a modern, open sensibility. He talks about people he loves in a matter-of-fact voice with witty observations that every reader will enjoy. Family is who you choose?" -- publisher

Race/Culture Concepts

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