Sea turtle returns favor to its young rescuer
“Kapono & the Turtle” (Island Heritage, $12.95) is a classic fable written by Edie Bikle and colorfully illustrated by Don Robinson. Kapono and Paki are picking opihi when a storm hits Hawaii island and traps a sea turtle. The boys help free the sea creature that is wedged between some rocks and has suffered a dent in his shell. Pleased with their good deed, the boys return home with lots of opihi.
Kapono also works in the taro patches and collects kukui nuts. During one of his outings, he finds a koa tree that would make a perfect fishing canoe. He fishes often and shares his catch with other families in the valley.
During one of his fishing trips, he encounters a storm and the canoe sinks. While treading water, he feels something brush up against him. It is a turtle that allows Kapono to hold on to its shell and drags him toward Waipio.
As the turtle drops him off on the sandy beach and begins to swim away, Kapono notices the large dent in the side of its shell. After the ordeal, Kapono always feels safe out in the ocean and brings treats for the turtle to eat.
The story reminds youngsters that their acts of kindness never go unnoticed.
Gosling learns a lesson from her ‘Tutu Nene’
“Tales of Tutu Nene and Nele” (Island Heritage, $12.95), written by Gale Bates, is about a grandmother nene goose sharing stories with some goslings. A curious young nene named Nele decides to venture off on her own, out of her pen at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where she is fed by rangers.
She waddles through the grass and ferns, tasting berries along the path, reminiscing about the tales that Tutu had shared with her. Nele enjoys exploring her surroundings until she slips on some wet moss and slides down a lava tube. She doesn’t realize she is in danger until she comes face to face with a mongoose. She tries to scurry away, and Tutu Nene swoops in to rescue her and help Nele back into her pen, where she plans to stay until she can fly.
Colorful illustrations by Yuko Green bring the tale to life using a striking technique of paper collage to create the downy feathers of the geese.
A glossary with some Hawaiian terms is included at the end of the story.
Trick horse shows children how to follow their dreams
Skeeter, an Arabian trick horse, explores her dreams of acting, painting, playing guitar and surfing in Heidrun Metzler’s “Skeeter’s Dreams” (Ginny’s Printing, $9.99). The simple tale is illustrated by photographs that were taken by Metzler on Hawaii island and transformed using Photoshop software.
In the story, Skeeter urges children to follow their dreams and pursue their passions.
Metzler lives on a farm with her three horses on Hawaii island. She continues to train Skeeter, teaching her creative new tricks to perform at horse shows.
Available at www.trickhorseskeeter.com, amazon.com and local gift and bookstores.
STORYTIMES
Barnes & Noble:
>> Ala Moana: 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays, 949-7307
>> Kahala: 11 a.m. Tuesdays, with “Local Kine Storytime” on the last Tuesday monthly, 737-3323
Public libraries: Free. For ages 3 and up (unless noted), followed by simple crafts or activities at some locations:
>> Aina Haina: 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, 377-2456
>> Hawaii Kai: “Storytime & Craft,” 10:30 a.m. Thursdays; and “Puzzletime,” 10:30 a.m. first Thursdays monthly for ages 18 months to age 5, 397-5833
>> Hawaii State Library: 10:30 a.m. Saturdays, 586-3510
>> Kahuku: 10 a.m. Thursdays, 293-8935
>> Kailua: 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 29, 266-9911.
>> Kaimuki: 10:30 a.m. Sundays through July 29, 733-8422
>> Kalihi-Palama: 9 a.m. Tuesdays for babies and toddlers up to age 4; repeats at 10:30 a.m., 832-3466
>> Liliha: 10 a.m. Mondays for toddlers; and “Family Storytime,” 6:30 p.m. Thursdays, 587-7577
>> Waialua: 10 a.m. Saturdays, 637-8286
>> Waimanalo: 10:15 a.m. Thursdays for preschoolers, 259-2610
