PRAISE FOR KAPAEMAHU by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson; Illustrated by Daniel Sousa
A Stonewall Honor Book!
A School & Library Journal Best Picture Book of the Year!
A Shelf Awareness Best Children’s & YA of 2022!
A Kirkus Best Book of 2022
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2022
A Rainbow Book List 2023
A Notable Social Studies Trade Books List 2023
A Bank Street College of Education’s Children’s Book Committee’s The Best Children’s Books of 2023
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the 21st Century (So Far) [2025]
A IBBY-UNESCO Collection of Remarkable Books for Young Readers in Indigenous and Endangered Languages selection (2026)
“…a glorious picture book reclamation.” — Shelf Awareness.
★ “The fascinating backmatter provides background information about the original Hawaiian legend and Niihau dialect…A poignant monument to the power of hidden Indigenous histories.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review.
★ “…a fine read-aloud in conjunction with a history lesson on Hawaii, its people, their language, and the colonization that occurred.” — School & Library Journal, starred review.
“Sousa’s dreamy illustrations—taken from the film—reflect the text’s thoughtful tone.” — Booklist
“Sousa’s illustrations portray the healers as chiseled, monumental forms reminiscent of the stones that house their spirits; the inky shadows and rich red-gold light of the ancient tale contrasts dramatically with the sand-reflected brightness of modern Waikiki.” — BCCB
“A beautiful, important book that not only offers indigenous representation, but also underscores the long history and deep importance of nonbinary people in certain cultures.” — Mombian
“The picture book’s stunning sepia-toned illustrations, which match the film, combined with the simple but powerful text, make this an excellent introduction to Indigenous Hawaiian culture and to the mahu and third gender people.” — Book Riot
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