Our January reviews for the Read Your World (aka Multicultural Children's Book Day) continue. Today I get to share a nonfiction picture book that will be released in February. It shares a bit of the history of a Hawaiian island and the military. It is Kaho'olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People by Kamalani Hurley and illustrated by Harinani Orme. It is recommended for ages 7 to 11.
From the Publisher:
In the middle of the great Pacific Ocean is a little island. Her name is Kanaloa Kaho‘olawe.Discover the story of an island sacred to Native Hawaiians. Beginning with her birth in a volcanic eruption, Kaho‘olawe thrives surrounded by animals on land and in the sea. When Polynesian voyagers arrive and begin to raise their families there, the island is happy. As the years pass, invasive goats devastate the ecosystem, and during World War II and the decades that follow, the US military claims the island for target practice. Kaho‘olawe is hurt. Yet activists never give up on the island, and they finally succeed in reclaiming her.
Kaho‘olawe endures.
Author Kamalani Hurley and illustrator Harinani Orme present the remarkable story of the smallest Hawaiian island, encompassing loss and erasure, sacrifice and dedication, and ultimately restoration, highlighting hope, resilience, and aloha ‘Δina (deep love of the land).
The author has pledged 100 percent of her proceeds from sales of this book to the Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana.
From Me:
Now I have been Hawaii dreaming for some time. Several times I have featured posts about Hawaii and keep dreaming to visit the islands some day! I found this book so interesting. It saddens me to think about the destruction our military has caused using this beautiful island as target practice. I imagine all the awful things that the bombs and explosions have done to the environment. The book goes into some of this from the damage of the land as well as the ocean and ocean life around the island. The book also shares the history of the island (and a bit of Hawaii) with the first inhabitants and more. Then it goes into the group of activists who tried to take the island back from the military and how long the fight was to get the military to stop the bombing of the island.
This book shares so much. There are mentions of various Hawaiian words that share a bit of the Hawaiian spirit. The story shares the formation of the island, the Polynesian people arriving at Hawaii and how important the land and sea life is to native Hawaiians. I love how the Hawaiian spirit is shared throughout the book. It is an interesting history. I love how the book explains about the bombing of Pearl Harbor and how the military started using the island to train and practice bombing to retaliate. The issue became that even after the war ended the target practice kept going and going. The native Hawaiians wanted the island back. They wanted to heal their island. They are still working on this. Unsurprisingly the military did not clean up their mess like they promised to. The story is told in so many stages, and it shows the length of time the people fought for the land.
I also love the illustrations. I feel like they share a bit of the Hawaiian spirit. The illustrations share spirit more than details. They help set the tone of the book. I see this book being used in the classroom with units on Hawaii and perhaps even on World War II or a lesson in environmental science. It also would be wonderful for a story time at a library. I also can see it as a way to share this history whether as a family or in preparation of a trip to Hawaii.
About Read Your World Celebration
Read Your World 2025 (1/30/25) is in its 13th year! Valarie Budayr and Mia Wenjen founded this non-profit children’s literacy initiative; they are two diverse book-loving moms who saw a need to shine the spotlight on all of the multicultural diverse books and authors on the market while also working to get those books into the hands of young readers and educators.
Read Your World’s mission is to raise awareness of the need to include kids’ books celebrating diversity in homes and school bookshelves. Read about our Mission and history HERE.
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Medallion:
FOUNDER’S CIRCLE: Mia Wenjen (Pragmaticmom) and Valarie Budayr (Audreypress.com)
π Super Platinum Sponsor: Author Deedee Cummings and Make A Way Media
π Platinum Sponsors: Publisher Spotlight and Language Lizard Bilingual Books in 60 Languages
π Gold Sponsors: Third State Books
π Silver Sponsors: Red Comet Press and Lerner Books
π Silver Corporate Sponsor: Scholastic Books
π Bronze Sponsors: Lee and Low
π Corporate Sponsor: Crayola Education and Scholastic
Read Your World is honored to be Supported by these Author Sponsors!
Authors: Stephanie M. Wildman, Martha Seif Simpson, Anna Jennings, Gwen Jackson, Afsaneh Moradian, Josh Funk, Nancy Tupper Ling, Kathleen Burkinshaw, Gea Meijering, Eugenia Chu, Dorktales Story Time, Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett, Authors J.C. Kato and J.C.², Cynthia Levinson, Diana Huang, Rochelle Melander, Lisa Chong, Lisa Stringfellow, Brunella Costaglioga, Lindsey Rowe Parker, Rachel C. Katz, Tonya Duncan Ellis, Shifa Safadi, Lisa Rogers, Sylvia Liu, Eva Clarke
Read Your World is Honored to be Supported by our CoHosts and Global CoHosts and by our Partner Organizations!
Check out RYW’s Multicultural Books for Kids Pinterest Board!
π FREE RESOURCES from Read Your World Day
π Register for the Read Your World Virtual Party
Join us on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 9 pm EST celebrating 13 years of Read Your World Day Virtual Party! Register here.
This epically fun and fast-paced hour includes multicultural book discussions, addressing timely issues, diverse book recommendations, & reading ideas.
We will be giving away a 10-Book Bundle during the virtual party plus Bonus Prizes as well! *** US and Global participants are welcome. **
Follow the hashtag #ReadYourWorld to join the conversation, and connect with like-minded parts, authors, publishers, educators, organizations, and librarians. We look forward to seeing you all on January 30, 2025, at our virtual party!
