Customer Reviews

A is for Aloha: A Hawai'i Alphabet

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a great book! This one, written by U'Ilani Goldsberry and illustrated by Tammy Yee, is a nice addition to the Discover America State By State series. The alphabet is focused on Hawaiiana, of course. There are details of the alphabetized words ("A is for aloha") that make it appropriate for all ages, and I found them quite interesting.

There were a few things that irritated me. "Leis" is a weird word, since there is no "s" in the Hawaiian alphabet to mix with the Hawaiian word "lei". And "Zoning" for "z"... what's this about? Nevertheless, Goldsberry's text, and of course Tammy Yee's exquisite watercolors, make this a wonderful gift for that special person who is a kid at heart.

We ordered this book for our grandson to give as a gift on our return trip from Hawaii. We had vacationed on two of the islands for 2 weeks.

The book was such a delight. It was fun for us to review the things that we saw and be able to share it with our boys through the book. The book was very factual, colorful and our grandsons loved it.

Bought this book to be given from my children to their grandparents who live in Hawaii. Illustrations are BEAUTIFUL! Also love that it can be read different ways - each letter has both a short rhyme as well as a longer informational section. My kids loved hearing the book read with the rhymes for each letter, "A is for..." The grandparents loved (in addition to reading the book to their grandkids) learning new and interesting facts about their state and commented often, "I didn't know that!"

Overall very pleased with this book and this series in general!

This book oddly reads like a childs Chamber of Commerce guide, first admiring the "jewel so bright" lights of Honolulu, and a mention of the State Bird next as the B word. (Why not N for Nene?) It goes on to talk positively of the (eyesore) windmills that have been cropping up on once pristine lands. From there are more the politics of Hawaii rather than the culture and beauty there: King Kamehameha, Princess Ka'iulani, I'olani Palace, Lili'uokalani, (although I appreciated the "lost her throne to businessmen" line on that one), followed by the State song which "calls upon Hawaii's sons to promise loyalty", (a loyalty oath for children?) and concluding with a picture of Captain Cook. It's a fact filled guide, alright, but for the haole Hawaii, not the one we need to preserve.

This is a beautifully illustrated book with both simple stories for the young child and more detailed information as the child grows and learns.

A is for Aloha is a wonderful read full of interesting facts and beauty. It definitely is a book the whole family can enjoy. I would recommend it to everyone!

I bought this book for my grandchildren who were moving to Hawaii with the Navy. Although too old for them at the time, it served as a wonderful introduction to HI for my other two grandchildren who went the next summer to visit their aunt and family. I have just given it to my niece's children to help them plan for a trip to visit their cousins in the next year. The varying levels of information contained in this book make it one that can grow with the children.