Aloha Everything

Name: Aloha Everything
Brand: Dreamscape Media
Availability: InStock
Author: Kaylin Melia George
ISBN: 9781666688696

Author: Kaylin Melia George

Narrator: Barrie Kealoha

Unabridged: 8 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Published: 02/28/2025

Categories: Children's Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Trees & Forests, Children's Fiction

Synopsis

★ ""A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity.""—Kirkus Reviews
A Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature Best Book of 2024
A 2025 Asian Pacific American Award Book
A 2025 Notable Book for a Global Society - International Literacy Association Aloha Everything is a magical story that will take you on a thrilling journey through the breathtaking islands of Hawaiʻi!In this exciting adventure, you'll encounter mighty canoes crashing over ocean waves, regal hawks soaring high above the clouds, and brilliant lizards jumping nimbly through forest trees! Most importantly, you'll meet a courageous young girl named Ano who learns, grows, and comes to love her island home with all her heart. Since the day that Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, this adventurous child has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula—a storytelling dance form that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people — Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha. Aloha Everything is both a captivating read and a fantastic educational resource for learning about Hawaiian history, ecology, and culture. With breathtaking hand-painted illustrations and beautiful rhyming poetry that will lull little ones into brilliant dreams of vibrant adventure, this book is sure to capture the hearts of both children and parents alike. The beautiful poetry—weaving its way through every page—artfully blends 25 Hawaiian words into the English prose and provides a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of aloha in relation to the land, the people, and the lore. There is also a pronunciation guide and glossary providing additional information for those looking to learn more about the rich language and culture of Hawai’i.

About Kaylin Melia George

Kaylin Melia George grew up listening to the stories of Molokaʻi. She breathed in the epic Hawaiian legends her mother gifted her as bedtime stories. It was the planting of these early seeds that drove Kaylin to dedicate her life to storytelling. Before working in children’s literature, Kaylin began her professional journey in filmmaking as an award-winning director and screenwriter. Working across the United States and Japan, her portfolio has included narrative work recognized by The Academy (of Oscars notoriety), as well as documentary pieces created for some of the most recognizable non-profits, including the World Wildlife Fund and The Asian Cultural Council, and national commercials for publicly traded companies. Today, Kaylin collaborates with Mythify Studios in the creation of epic world-building art books. With Aloha Everything, Kaylin found a story close to her heart and celebrates her native Hawaiian ancestry. This is the story she has always dreamed of telling.

About Mae Waite

Mae Waite was adopted at the age of three from Yunnan, China and she found her home in Hawai’i. From that point on, the sparkling vibrancy and rich texture of the islands would become a constant source of inspiration for Mae’s work. Mae is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa where she earned a B.A. in Studio Arts. She has won many accolades for her artwork from around the globe, including the Lorenzo De’ Medici Student Exhibition in Florence, Italy; the Honolulu Printmakers 91st Annual Exhibition; the Exhibition at the ʻIolani Gallery in Kaneohe; and the Hankyu Hawai’i Fair in Osaka, Japan. In 2019, Mae won the Kailua Night Market Urban Art Battle amongst many other spectacular showings.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm on May 07, 2024

STUNNING! Do you hear me?!? This book was beautifully written and illustrated and pays homage to the rich, beautiful culture of Hawaii. I don’t think I have the words to describe the beauty that is this book, but I highly recommend it. It may be a little long for a younger age group but if you’re co......more

Goodreads review by V on March 07, 2024

Aloha Everything is visually stunning! Readers learn what the meaning of hula: a history of the island -its unique geography, flora, fauna- and its people. Poetry filled with Hawaiian words immerses the audience in the island's rhythm. This enchanting picture book prompts consideration of history, n......more

Goodreads review by Monica on June 23, 2024

I will not be surprised if this wins the 2025 Caldecott.......more

Goodreads review by Melanie on May 15, 2024

In rhyming text, readers learn about a Hawaiian child who grows up learning to dance native dances and the creation myths of her people and the land they inhabit. As beautiful as this book is, not recommended for storytime due to the narrow scope that guarantees a limited audience; also do to the ext......more

Goodreads review by Ellie on March 18, 2025

Thank you to Libro FM, Dreamscape Media, Kaylin Melia George, and Red Comet Press for the ALC of this book! This was an amazing peek into Hawaiian culture, beliefs, and values! I enjoyed the language sprinkled throughout and can only imagine that the beauty of Hawaii is shown on the pages. The narra......more

Quotes

Mesmerizing, metered verse combines English and Hawaiian words for a rich tale of Hawaiian history, culture, ecology, and legends. Making deft use of light and shadow, the vibrant images bring the text to life. . . A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity.