Ho'onani: Hula Warrior

One of the New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids 2019
One of the Ontario Library Association’s 2019 Top Ten Titles
Featured on the 2020 Rainbow Book List
Featured on the 2020 Rise: A Feminist Book Project List

PRAISE FOR Ho’onani: Hula Warrior:

“Heather Gale’s prose is buttressed by Mika Song’s lovely drawings to make this a wonderfully feel-good story about tradition and difference.” —New York Times

“[A] rousing tale of a child overcoming obstacles . . . it also deftly weaves in elements of culture and gender in simple language that kids can understand.” —Today.com

“Boldly outlined watercolor and ink artwork . . . convey visual information with strength that suggests Ho‘onani’s own. And Gale grounds the child’s experience, based on a true story, in Hawaiian traditions, modeling showing ‘every person the same unconditional acceptance and respect’.” —STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

“Ho’onani’s courage to be true to herself and her place in the middle is empowering. Hawaiian words are intermixed, and Song’s illustrations are full of emotion and determination.” —Kirkus Reviews

“An entertaining, illuminating, and empowering read, Ho’onani: Hula Warrior will make a welcome addition to classrooms, libraries, and story times!” —CM Magazine

“This is a book that delicately tackles a difficult but important subject with sensitivity and without fuss at an age-appropriate level.” —Resource Links

“Song’s watercolor and ink illustrations have a gentle Saturday morning cartoon appeal and give Ho‘onani a strong, purposeful appeal.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books