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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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10 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

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

Okinawan Princess

2019

by Masashi Sakihara, Lee A Tonouchi and Laura Kina

"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

Beautiful Life

Earthwaves

2019

by Michael Smith and Gayle Garner Roski

When Akela makes his first trading voyage with his wise grandfather, he learns that it takes courage, knowledge, and wisdom to cross the Pacific Ocean in a sailing canoe without compass or chart. Includes historical note.

Beautiful Life

Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds

2020

by Caren Loebel-Fried

"On a school trip to Honolulu’s Bishop Museum, Manu and his classmates are excited to see an ancient skirt made with a million yellow feathers from the ‘ō‘ō, a bird native to Hawai‘i that had gone extinct long ago. Manu knew his full name, Manu‘ō‘ōmauloa, meant “May the ‘ō‘ō bird live on” but never understood: Why was he named after a native forest bird that no longer existed? Manu told his parents he wanted to know more about ‘ō‘ō birds and together they searched the internet. The next day, his teacher shared more facts with the class. There was so much to learn! As his mind fills with new discoveries, Manu has vivid dreams of his namesake bird. After a surprise visit to Hawai‘i Island where the family sees native forest birds in their natural setting, Manu finally understands the meaning of his name, and that he can help the birds and promote a healthy forest. Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds is a story about extinction, conservation, and culture, told through a child’s experience and curiosity. Readers learn along with Manu about the extinct honeyeater for which he was named, his Hawaiian heritage, and the relationship between animals and habitat. An afterword includes in-depth information on Hawai‘i’s forest birds and featherwork in old Hawai‘i, a glossary, and a list of things to do to help. Illustrated with eye-catching, full-color block prints, the book accurately depicts and incorporates natural science and culture in a whimsical way, showing how we can all make a difference for wildlife." -- publisher

Beautiful Life Informational

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