Makana is a Gift by Janet Lucy

Makana is a Gift

Makana es un Regalo/ Bilingual version

Janet Lucy, Author

Alexis Cantu, Illustrator

Seven Seas Press, Nonfiction, Jun. 13, 2022

Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes: Sea turtles, Marine life, Oceans, Pollution, Plastics, Purpose, Identity

Opening: “The Sun glistened on the water like gold glitter, where a little green seat turtle was basking on the surface of the warm turquoise water of Turtle Cove.”

Publisher’s Synopsis:

One bright morning a little green sea turtle basks on the surface of Turtle Cove, where he arrived the night before. He hatched from a nest on a shore hundreds of miles away, and has spent the first six years of his life swimming through the ocean. Here in Turtle Cove he meets the inhabitants—a wise elder turtle, Kato, and other sea creatures. He admires the unique features of an octopus and starfish, and wishes he could swim with a school of fish. He observes the gulls and terns flying freely overhead, and begins to question his identity.

Makana is a Gift is the story of a young sea turtle’s quest to understand his unique purpose, who and why he is, while waiting to be given his name. One morning while hungry for breakfast, he mistakes a plastic bag for a jellyfish, takes a bite as many sea turtles do, and must seek help to survive this too common, life-threatening experience.

In the end, he understands that all creatures are needed to help and care for each other; he too has a unique and essential purpose; that life is a gift, and so is he. In Hawaiian, Makana means gift, and thus he receives his name.

Why I like Makana is a Gift:

Janet Lucy’s storytelling is magical. Her prose has a gentle rhythm that reminds one of the lapping waves. Packed with fascinating facts, beautiful watercolor illustrations and a lovely theme about identity and finding your purpose, Makana’s journey will fuel curious young minds and inspire the next generation of nature lovers. It will definitely appeal to children who have a passion for learning about marine wildlife and a special interest in ocean creatures and all things hidden beneath the sea.

Children will learn about how a mother sea turtle makes a nest in the sand and lays around 100 eggs the size of ping pong balls. The sun warms the sand as the little turtles develop in about two months. Once they begin to hatch, they crawl to the ocean, hoping they won’t meet predators along the way. If they reach the water, they will be on their own.

Sea turtles and marine life need protection from the plastic bags and straws that they mistake for food, as Makana discovers. It is important for children to learn how vulnerable sea turtles and marine life can be to the plastics carelessly dumped into the oceans by humans.

Makana means gift in the lovely Hawaiian language and is such a beautiful and fitting title for Lucy’s book. It is a reminder that nature (and life) is a gift and needs to be cherished and protected by all of us. I highly recommend Makana is a Gift for school libraries.

Resources: There is a Discussion & Activities Guide, links to Resources, and a list of Books and Documentaries at the end of the story. Encourage children to draw or paint a sea turtle and the other marine life Makana meets in the ocean. If you live near a beach, plan a day to clean up the plastics you see before they reach the ocean.

Janet Lucy, MA, is the award-winning author of Mermaid Dreams/Suenos de Sirena, multi-award winning The Three Sunflowers/Lost Tres Girasoles , and co-author of Moon Mother, Moon Daughter – Myths and Rituals that Celebrate a Girl’s Coming of Age. Janet is the Director of Women’s Creative Network in Santa Barbara, California, where she is a teacher and consultant, facilitates women’s writing groups and leads international retreats. She can often be found in or near the water. Visit Janet Lucy at her website.

Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.

*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for a review.

The Little Lamp by Dave Dellecese

The Little Lamp

Dave Dellecese, Author

Ada Konewki, Illustrator

Dandy Press, Fiction, Feb. 12, 2019

Suitable for Ages: 4-7

Themes: Lamp, Love, Purpose, Obsolete, Resilience, Re-purpose, Rhyme

Opening: In a tiny brick apartment, / at Jasper Drive and Main, / Lived the custest little couple / Known as Jack and Jane McShane.

Synopsis:

Little Lamp shines his light on the Jane and Jack McShane. A gift from Gramma, it always sits on a table while they read books in the evening and sip their tea. When they have their first child, Little Lamp is beside them as they play and read books to Baby. At night time he watches the baby sleep. Little Lamp is very happy.

Then one day Jack McShane brings home a big, shiny lamp. Little Lamp is sad when he’s taken to the cold basement and set on a top shelf next to cans of paint and old boxes. Years later, the McShanes clean the house and set Little Lamp out with the trash. He begins to doubt himself and doesn’t feel very useful. Then he hears the rumble of the garbage truck. What will be Little Lamp’s fate?

Why I like this book:

Dave Dellecese has written a heartwarming story about a little lamp that manages to deal with change in its life and still find purpose no matter the challenges. There are many teachable moments for children to learn about disappointment, doubt, change, self-worth, hope and optimism — all presented in the tale of Little Lamp.

Dellecese uses clever rhyming and word play to emphasize his main theme to children, “Everyone has a purpose.” The characters are memorable, and Little Lamp is so expressive and adorable.

Ada Konewki’s bold illustrations are expressive, charming and compliment Little Lamp’s story. The art is happy and colorful when it needs to be, and a bit somber when Little Lamp’s fate is unknown.

Resources: Purpose is a big word for children. Parents and educators may want to first focus on what matters most to a child. Help them think about their own best qualities. Ask questions about whether they have a good relationships with their family and friends. Do they care about others? Do they remember a time when they have made a difference? Have they made someone’s day brighter with a hug or a fist full of flowers? Do they offer to help an elderly neighbor by walking their dog? These simple questions will help kids think about how they may make their own contribution to the world.

Dave Dellecese writes a variety of books and comic books, and blogs about parenthood at The Dorky Daddy He lives in central New York with his wife, kids and cats — all but his wife dictating his sleep patterns. Find out more and contact Dave at his website.

*Review copy provided by the author.

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob

The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob: A Journey Begins

Brooks Olbrys, Author

Kevin Keele, Illustrator

Children’s Success Unlimited LLC, Fiction, Mar. 12, 2013

Suitable for Ages: 6-10, Early Chapter Book

Themes: Ocean Journey, Finding Purpose, Facing Fear and Doubt, Setting Goals, Making Friends, Inspirational

Opening: “There once was a boy who lived close to the sea and daydreamed all day about what he might be. His island was lush and his life wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t content with the things that he had.”

Synopsis: Bob lives on a beautiful island, but something seems to be missing in his life. He sets out on a journey with his chatty hummingbird, Xena, to seek guidance from the friendly creatures of the ocean. He meets Al, a playful dolphin, Doc, a sage turtle, Earl, the clam, and Wallace the walrus. They all offer Bob wise and sound advice. Doc helps Bob realize his passion to protect the blue ocean and sea life. His journey to fulfill his purpose is only beginning as he has to face his doubts and fears. He meets Mary Marine, the Island of Roses’s leading marine biologist, who gives Bob a series of tests. She asks Bob to tag a blue whale and document its progress for 30 days. He encounters his first problem when his boat springs a leak. He feels hopeless. Xena, his guardian, is always nearby to warn Bob of danger. But with the help of his new sea friends, Bob learns to overcome his fears, sets some goals and develop a positive attitude so he can become Mary’s trusted assistant and care for the sea creatures he cherishes.

What I like about this book: Brooks Olbrys has created an entertaining and engaging early chapter book series for children. The book is beautifully illustrated by Kevin Kelle, whose breathtaking artwork of the ocean and sea life fills every page. Blue Ocean Bob encourages children to pursue their dreams. It will spark their imaginations and take them on a journey. The plot is strong and full of adventure. The characters are endearing and believable. Olbrys has written a charming book in lyrical rhyme, which will engage young children who aren’t able to read alone. Older readers will enjoy the important lessons about finding one’s passion and turning it into his/her purpose. This is a unique series because Olbrys has used “timeless principles of achievement,” to encourage children to dream big — Think it. See it. Believe it. Achieve it. Visit Oblrys’s website to learn more about the The Adventures of Blue Ocean Bob , preview the first chapter of the book for free, learn about upcoming books in the series and click on the app.

Father-Son Partnership: When Brooks Olbrys began writing Blue Ocean Bob, his son, Nicolas, was four years old. He is now eight. I want to share a brief interview about their inspiring relationship.

Nicolas has been a great partner on my project. When I wrote the first five or six stories and was unsure about them, Nicolas was the first one to hear them. He would give me honest and insightful comments about the characters, action or rhyme. And we would brainstorm about new characters or storylines. His most helpful advice was, “Dad, that is pretty good, but it needs to be funnier.” The messages are important, but won’t get through if they aren’t fun and engaging for kids. We try to incorporate that humor into the illustrations too. Nicolas reviews every illustration and I always get his approval before giving the final sign off. Another comment I love is when he told me “Dad, you are like a really, really good amateur writer.”

Nicolas also helped with the music that we needed for the trailer and app. We listened to dozens of samples from the internet and our app developer. I couldn’t decide. I told Nicolas if he would help me, I would make him an equity partner in the app project. That got his attention. He listened to the four “finalists” and chose one from an internet site. He said that it was “just too much better” and we went with it. Later, he asked me “Dad, if I had chosen the other ones, would you have gone with those? I told him yes, it was his decision. The music is perfect for the trailer, app and series. And it is great to have an in-house junior creative director.