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
Show Filters‘Iwalani’s Tree
"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
Keala and the Hawaiian Bird
"Every fine morning, when the sun starts to rise Over the mountains in the blue Maui sky, Keala is woken by birds in the trees, Greeting the day with their sweet symphony. Until...one morning Keala hears a new, strange sound. What kind of bird could it be? A delightful story told in rhyme will give kids an idea of what it's like growing up in Hawaii where bird song is always in the air. Keala, a curious young girl, wakes up every morning to the sounds of chirping, squawking, and crowing. Then one day, Keala hears another sound....a screech. What kind of bird makes that sound? Keala searches around her home to find out." -- publisher
The Bravest ‘Opihi
"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
Pele and Poli’ahu
"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
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
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
Malia in Hawai’i
Surfing or dancing, parades or hula, noodles or sushi? Malia likes them all! Malia in Hawaii is the story of a little girl with a long name, and an even longer list of things she likes to eat and do. Join Malia Sachi Ging Ging Lee as she explores the food and fun of her Hawaii home
Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds
"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