Hawaiian Children’s Books by Gill McBarnet ~ Book Reviews ~

We’re getting in the Aloha Spirit and sharing with you, reviews of our favorite Hawaiian Children’s Books by Gill McBarnet, local Maui author. All of the stories in the Hawaiian Children’s Books collection are sure to instantly whisk you away to the warm, sandy beaches of Hawaii.

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I’m thrilled to share my reviews of the “Hawaiian Children’s Books” stories you’ll find on my family’s bookshelf.

I hope you enjoy Reading the Rainbow with your ohana (family). Aloha!

Hawaiian Children’s Books by Gill McBarnet

Our Island Home

Our Island Home by Gill McBarnet: Get ready for a sightseeing journey to explore some of the many things that make Hawaii unique.  Travel to the Hawaiian Islands with this fun, rhyming poem and along the way search for hidden items (the blessings) in the illustrations.  This book is filled with colorful artwork and lots of Hawaiian language and facts.  Our Island Home is a great introduction to life in Hawaii, featuring some of its customs, history and wildlife. 

The Goodnight Gecko

The Goodnight Gecko by Gill McBarnet (Bestseller). On a warm Hawaiian evening, Mother and Father Gecko are anxiously awaiting the hatching of their two eggs. To their surprise, when the eggs hatch, one baby gecko loves the moon and stars, while the other, The Goodnight Gecko, is afraid of the dark. Mother Gecko is determined to show her son how wonderful the sights and sounds of nighttime in Hawai’i are. She takes him on a journey to say goodnight to some of Hawai’i’s natural surroundings and many of the mischievous creatures making the scary “creaky noises” he hears in the night.

The illustrations in the book are warm and bright and there are fascinating gecko facts found after the story. Excellent choice to share with someone you know who may be afraid of the dark, too. Mahalo to Gill McBarnet for sending us a copy to add to our library!

We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchase at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .

The Gift of Aloha

The Gift of Aloha by Gill McBarnet: Leilani is a girl from a poor village in Old Hawaii.  The King and his family are visiting all of the Hawaiian Islands, in search of a bride for the Prince.  Everyone in Leilani’s small village is preparing wonderful gifts for the Royal family’s visit.  Leilani feels discouraged that she has nothing special to give and wanders into the tropical forest to think and wish. 

Together with the fairies that live among the forest’s many vibrant flowers, Leilani is able to prepare the perfect gift… The Gift of Aloha.  What will the King and his family think?          

Gecko Hide and Seek

Gecko Hide and Seek by Gill McBarnet. Likely, one of the first creatures you will see in Hawai’i is a gecko! We’ve spotted these quick, sneaky creatures just about everywhere when we visit the islands. Geckos have surprised us on parked cars, window sills, doorframes, porch railings and once even behind a picture frame on a bedroom wall!

Gecko Hide and Seek is a bright, playful counting game that takes you on an adventure through tropical flowers, beach huts and waterfalls in search of the hidden geckos throughout. Gill McBarnet is one of Hawai’i’s top children’s book authors and she has done a great job capturing the sweet, mischievous feeling of Hawai’i’s geckos. We purchased our copy while on vacation and it always makes us think back and smile about our time spent in Hawai’i.

We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchase at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .

The Shark Who Learned a Lesson

The Shark Who Learned a Lesson by Gill McBarnet (Hawaiian author). Sharks have a reputation of being scary, and Shadow the Shark is no different. He enjoys frequently visiting the coral reef to startle and scare the many creatures that live there. One day, the marine life have had enough and they decide they want to confront Shadow, together, about his unpleasant behavior. But how can they get him to stay still and listen to their words?

Flying fish, sea turtles, dolphins, reef fish and a colorful variety of animals all work together to come up with a plan to speak up and make Shadow understand, that it isn’t nice to bully others. The back cover includes a number of interesting facts about sharks. Mahalo to Gill McBarnet for sending us a copy to add to our library!

Hoku the Seal’s Three Wishes

Hoku the Seal’s Three Wishes by Gill McBarnet (Hawaiian author).  Hoku is an endangered Hawaiian Monks Seal who struggles with wanting to be something different than what he is.  One day, while Mama seal is basking, Hoku wanders off to a wishing pool and makes three wishes that indeed come true.

But, Hoku isn’t quite as happy as he thought he would be after he gets what he wants.  Mama seal is in for quite a surprise too!  This adorable kids book is a light-hearted way to share with your family the importance of being truly grateful for what you have and who you are.

Check out our Seal Craft inspired by Hoku the Seal’s Three Wishes.

We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchase at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .

The Brave Little Turtle

The Brave Little Turtle by Gill McBarnet. Nani is a timid, little Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle who is best friends with a much braver Honu (turtle), Lono. She loves spending time with Lono, however, is too afraid to do many of the activities he enjoys, such as catching big waves and exploring places they’ve never been. Nani is afraid of most everything in the ocean, most definitely its creatures.

Find out what happens when this little turtle pair gets in a bit of trouble after they encounter a creature that Grandpa Turtle has told them stories about. This book is a great reminder that, although sometimes it takes courage, each person can make a difference in the world to help those around them and the planet. Hooray for courage, kindness and bravery!

How the Geckos Learned to Chirp

How the Geckos Learned to Chirp by Terry and Tara McBarnet (father/daughter). The geckos live in a beautiful koa tree, surrounded by Hawaii’s stunning sights and sounds. At night however, there aren’t the familiar chirps of geckos, as they hadn’t yet learned how to make their joyful noise. Sadly, the geckos are always grumpy and fill their days with complaints, rudeness and grumbling. They aren’t even nice to each other.

One day, Pono, a happy caterpillar, arrives to live in the koa tree and the geckos waste no time being unkind to him. Pono doesn’t let their bad attitude bother him and goes about being kind despite how they are treating him. One night a tropical storm arrives, that not only shakes up the koa tree, but also the geckos’ way of living. Find out what finally causes the geckos to chirp their cheery chirp.

We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchase at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .

Tikki Turtle’s Quest

Tikki Turtle’s Quest by Gill McBarnet. Tikki, a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (honu), is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her clutch of eggs. With all of the excitement, she can’t seem to find a suitable spot to lay them. Tikki decides to visit her ocean friends to find out where they keep their eggs and young safe and snug. Can Tikki’s friends help her find the perfect spot before it’s too late?

This book reveals a wonderful journey through the ocean to explore coral reefs, Hawaiian wildlife and how a variety of creatures care for their eggs and babies.

The Whale Who Wanted to Be Small

The Whale Who Wanted to Be Small by Gill McBarnet. Kanani, a young Humpback Whale, has many friends in the beautiful, deep blue ocean. While Kanani and her friends have lots in common, she can’t help but notice that she isn’t small and able to hide well like everyone else. Kanani’s friends have many suggestions to help her, but will anything work?

This story is such a great reminder to always love, and be yourself!

We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchase at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .

About the Author, Gill McBarnet (Hawaiian Children’s Books)

Gill McBarnet has been writing and illustrating children’s books since becoming a new mother, to three children, over 30 years ago. She is the author of bestseller “The Goodnight Gecko” and has been featured on Hawaii News Now.

Gill has lived on the stunning island of Maui for over 35 years and her children and grandchildren continue to be a great source of inspiration for her books.

We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchase at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .

Read About Our Hawaiian Adventures:

• What to Pack for Hawaii ~ Top 10 Things You Don’t Want to Forget!
• “Over 50 Amazing Resources for Kids, All About Hawaii”
• Introducing “Hawaiian Children’s Books” by Gill McBarnet (Maui author)

Maui

• Maui Humane Society, Beach Buddies Program ~ Volunteer on Vacation
• Your Bliss Cafe, Organic Shave Ice
• Volunteering at O’o Organic Farm 
• Maui Ocean Center, Aquarium
• Stargazing at Haleakala National Park
• Best Snorkeling in Maui ~ Molokini Crater & Turtle Arches Cruise with Pacific Whale Foundation
• The Best Luau in Maui ~ The ‘Aha’aina Wailea Luau, at Grand Wailea Resort

Big Island

• Hilo Tropical Waterfall Tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail
• Kona House Condo
• Giving Back on Vacation: Hawai’i Wildlife Center
• Meet the Artist; Mattie Mae Larson of Upcycle Hawaii (Big Island, plastic pollution, marine debris, unique wearable art.)
• Upcycle Hawaii ~ A Peek Inside their Studio
• A Visit with Upcycle Hawaii to One of the Most Plastic Polluted Beaches in the World
• One Aloha Organic Shave Ice

Be sure to check out our Top 30 Gift Ideas for Travelers. It is full of unique gift ideas for those in your life who love to travel… or to add to your own personal carry-on.  We’ve even included the one item we won’t go to Disney without! It might surprise you!