• Picture book writer - Writing for children

    Another Picture Book About Trees

    Tweet I just listened to a webinar about how there are a lot of picture books about trees lately. This doesn’t bode well for my own picture book which I’ve been working on for the last few years. But it’s better for the kids and hopefully the planet, so this makes me happy. This is another thing that makes me happy. The Tree and the River by Aaron Becker is a wordless picture book that takes children (and adults) on a journey from a fantastical past to the illusions of a future beyond our imagination. It’s cinematic in its illustrations…

  • Writing for children

    A Piece of History

    Tweet I so admire my very talented writer friend Kamalani Hurley for her tenaciousness at posting and creating relevant content about Native Hawaiian and local artists. As for me, my time is mostly spent taking online courses to beef up my knowledge of coaching and working on revising my picture book on Hawaii sugar plantations. As a writer for more than 15 years, I still feel like a beginner. Every day it’s about showing up when the laundry needs to be done and my kids need me for everything. To be honest, I nearly lost my writing mojo last month…

  • Author interviews - Writing for children

    An Interview with Professor Emerita P. Kamalani Hurley

    Tweet {Photo by Rokki Midro} It seemed impossible during covid to meet new people especially during Covid which ravaged our communities and hearts. But this retired UH professor has been one of the few and rare gems of the pandemic. Although I have never met her in person, I feel a kinship with Kamalani. She is as genuine as she is smart. And I am so grateful to have met her. She graciously agreed to give us a picture of her life, what she aspires to and how her culture shapes what and who she writes about. Hi Kamalani. For…