The Woman in the Moon: A Story from Hawai'I [Hardcover]

Jama Kim Rattigan (Author), Carla Golembe (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up

Because of her extraordinary imagination and skill, Hina, the finest tapa maker, or cloth maker, in Hawai'i, escapes the restrictions on the women of her time and receives a special gift from the moon.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Like her Dumpling Soup, Rattigan's newest tale is a bridge from Hawaii to the mainland-transporting tasty bits of the native language and culture. This tale, however, substitutes the contemporary warmth of Rattigan's first title with a somewhat lengthy retelling of a Polynesian myth. A woman named Hina makes such superb tapa (bark cloth), that she is always working to meet the demands of her neighbors and tyrannical husband. Hina longs to escape her joyless life, going first to a mountaintop which is too cold, to the sun which is too hot, and finally to the moon, where she remains to this day. Golembe's (Why the Sky Is Far Away) primitivist gouache paintings energize the story with eye-popping colors and patterns derived from ancient tapa design and Hawaiian wildlife. An offering useful for its perspective on a culture underrepresented in the picture book genre. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Rattigan retells the Hawaiian legend of the woman in the moon. Hina is known to make the best tapa cloth in the islands. Her work is in great demand, and she receives no help from her husband. Many activities are forbidden to her because she is a woman. She longs for a new home where she can have the leisure to enjoy the beautiful world around her. Her search takes her to the top of a high mountain and to a rainbow. Finally, she is able to reach the moon. From there, as a goddess, she inspires Hawaiian artists, young and old. Rattigan's language is rich and concrete. The story has not been watered down for children and, as such, gives insight into the culture from which it springs. It reflects the roles of men and women in this society and shows a high regard for artists. Rattigan incorporates many Hawaiian words into the text, which adds to its flavor. Golembe's gouache paintings are flat in style and brightly colored, edged with patterns and figures used to decorate traditional tapa cloth. A glossary, an author's note, and sources are included. An interesting and striking addition to folklore collections.
Judith Gloyer, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little Brown & Co (Juv); 1st edition (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316734462
• ISBN-13: 978-0316734462
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,378,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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