Honu (A Kolowalu Book) [Hardcover]

Marion Coste (Author), Cissy Gray (Illustrator)

Book Description

Recounts the life cycle of a Hawaiian green turtle, including the threats from nature and humanity.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

A smoothly written narrative that begins when Hawaii's honu, or green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)--a species that may measure 40 inches and weigh 400 pounds--comes ashore to lay eggs. Coste describes the honu's return to the deep sea, the uses of the turtle by early Hawaiians, and recent pressures that endanger it, then returns to the newly hatched young, making their journey to the sea. The book's second half, a more direct and detailed presentation of the same information, adds more specific facts on habitat, nesting behavior, adaptations, human impact, protection, etc.; the book as a whole would have been more effective if the two had been integrated, or if the first part had been livelier and more informative and the second merely a supplement or appendix. Still, the information is interesting and authentic, and Gray's watercolor illustrations of the shoreline and the clumsy turtles and the other wildlife are evocative and appealing. A good contribution to the endangered species shelf. Glossary; brief list for children ``To Learn More,'' with some Hawaiian materials, including a video. (Nonfiction. 5-11) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 26 pages
• Publisher: University of Hawaii Press (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824815076
• ISBN-13: 978-0824815073
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #409,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marion Coste was born in New Jersey and spent her childhood on the beaches near Asbury Park. She lived in many different parts of the country during her 26 years as a Coast Guard wife before she moved to Hawaii in 1982. Marion has always loved learning about animals and natural history and draws on her background as an elementary teacher and museum educator to convey this love to a new generation. Her third book, "Kolea," won Ka Po'okela Palapala (literally, "the best book") award for excellence in children's literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accuracy not sacrificed for simplicity, December 19, 2005

By 

R Schmidt (Honolulu, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Honu (A Kolowalu Book) (Hardcover)

Marion Coste hit a home run with her book, Honu. "Honu" is the Hawaiian name for the green sea turtle, the theme of this book. Coste goes through the life cycle of this amazing animal, focusing on the Pacific green sea turtle resident to Hawaiian waters. Accompanied by Cissy Gray's illustrations, Coste provides a very accurate, yet readable, overview of honu reproduction, mortality factors, growth, and behavior. She notes assistance from Mr. Honu himself, George Balazs.

I use this book as my outline when I give presentations on sea turtles to school groups in grades 1-12, starting with the tale of the female honu searching for a place to lay her eggs.

A very nice book, dedicated to "... the children of Hawai'i, who hold the future of the islands in their hands and hearts."