Introducing “Hawaiian Children’s Books” by Gill McBarnet (Maui author)
So I must warn you… this post is likely the perfect, tropical storm! As you know, I adore Hawaii and I absolutely love children’s books. So hold on tight… I’m thrilled to tell you about “Hawaiian Children’s Books” by Gill McBarnet.
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When traveling, purchasing books as keepsakes and gifts has been “a thing” of ours for as long as I can remember. The quest to find my nephew the perfect Hawaiian story is exactly how I discovered “Hawaiian Children’s Books” by Gill McBarnet, local Maui author.
Picture me, in a library bookstore on Maui (not hard right?!), distracted by the Hawaiian music overhead and the smell of books galore. Then, out of nowhere, I lock eyes with an adorable little gecko on the cover of a brilliant yellow book (Gecko Hide-and-Seek) and knew I’d just found “the one.”
Little did I know, that copy of Gecko Hide-and-Seek would eventually introduce my family to a shark named Shadow, Hoku an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, and Tikki the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.
(Photo credit/used with permission from: Hawaiian Children’s Books)
We’ve even discovered a pretty fabulous mother/daughter family-owned small business that has helped inspire a love of reading among keiki (kids) for over 30 years. That’s simply fantastic!
We are proud to be brand ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchases at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .
The Aloha Spirit
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.
Tropical characters, vibrant colors and native plants and creatures all perfectly set the Hawaii vibes feeling. I can almost hear the trade winds, and Zebra Doves now!
Many of the stories feature some of Hawaii’s endemic, often endangered, wildlife such as Hawaiian Monk Seals, Green Sea Turtles, and Humpback Whales.
We especially love the back cover of each book, which share fun facts about the wildlife featured in the story.
Whether you are daydreaming about visiting Hawaii, learning about the Aloha State or reminiscing vacations past, Hawaiian Children’s Books are the perfect way to share in the Aloha Spirit!
“Hawaiian Children’s Books” Reviews
Gill McBarnet, and her family, have captured the feeling of Hawaii in the pages of her books. Check out my reviews, of the stories you’ll find on my ohana’s bookshelf.
- The Goodnight Gecko
- The Shark Who Learned a Lesson
- Hoku the Seal’s Three Wishes PLUS… our adorable Seal Craft inspired by this book.
- Gecko Hide-and-Seek
- Tikki Turtle’s Quest
- The Whale Who Wanted to Be Small
- How the Geckos Learned to Chirp
- The Brave Little Turtle
- Our Island Home
- The Gift of Aloha
We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchases at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .
About the Author, Gill McBarnet
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.
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”
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!
We are proud to be Brand Ambassadors for Hawaiian Children’s Books. Please use code: perhapsthisis for 15% off your purchases at www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.shop .
26 Comments
Pam
These Hawaiian children’s books look fantastic. I would definitely love to pick up a few the next time I have friends with younger kids heading to Hawaii!
Charlene
Aw, sounds great! They certainly help us feel like we’re in Hawaii! Enjoy!
alison netzer
Hawaii was a favorite travel spot for me. I hope to go back soon. These books are too cute, maybe I can get one as a hint to my family that it’s time to go back.
Charlene
Aw, it is a favorite spot for us too! I really like your idea to give a hint to your family! Hope you are able to visit Hawaii soon! Aloha!
kmf
How fun! These are great books about Hawaii that all kids and maybe even grownups would love. I love visiting bookstores where we travel and reading about our destinations.
Charlene
I couldn’t agree more with reading about places you travel to! This grownup definitely loves the Hawaiian Children’s books series, lol!
Casandra
Love your Hawaiian children’s book suggestions. My in-laws have had a place in Molokai for decades so we have traveled all over Hawaii and have purchased many books there over the years!
Charlene
I’ve heard great things about Molokai… how blessed you are to have such wonderful family travel memories! Aloha!
lisa manderino
I love Hawaii and books too! This is a great combination! They look so cute!
Charlene
My daughter just loves these stories. Hooray for books and Hawaii!
Alexis Farmer
These illustrations look awesome! I love the idea behind these Hawaiian children’s books.
Charlene
For sure! Love their tropical vibes.
Lee Anne
What a great introduction to these Hawaiian Childrens Books! I have a huge place in my heart for Hawaii and really hope to make it there for our anniversary this year! I’ll bookmark this to remember after we move. 🙂
Charlene
Hawaii sounds like a great way to celebrate your anniversary… I hope your plans work out! We are hoping to visit Maui this fall.
Cathy
These books look great! Very colorful and fun! If I had a child to buy for, I would get one of these! Thanks for the reviews!
Charlene
Thank you! We love sharing good books we come across.
Tricia Snow
How fun! I never thought of getting children’s books about Hawaii! This will be perfect when we take our grandkids!
Charlene
I hope your grandkids enjoy the books… and a trip to Hawaii with you!
Heather
These sound like great books about a great location. I love finding books about the areas we live in or love.
Charlene
Always so much to learn and discover! Happy reading!
Jennifer
The Hawaiian Childrens books look like a good gift idea for kids. As, it would be a keepsake of a holiday spent there.
Charlene
My daughter just loves them!
Kendra
These Hawaiian children’s books sound fantastic! I made sure to bring one back for my grandson when we went 2 years ago. He loves the colorful illustrations and the sea turtles.
Charlene
So happy to hear and hooray for sea turtles!
Suz | TravelsWithSuz.com
Hawaiian children’s books? “The Shark” looks great! Actually, they all look like good fun. I’ll share with my daughter in Germany; her kids are 4 and 2 – these would be winners!
Charlene
Thank so much for sharing with your daughter… hope the kiddos enjoy!