Descriptions, Reviews, etc.
Description:
Four individuals of dual male and female spirit bring their healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii, where they are beloved for their gentle ways and miraculous cures and where they imbue four giant boulders with their powers.
Review Quotes: 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 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
