New BeachHouse Publishing Books: Edith Kanaka‘ole: The Heart of Hula and Lizards, Giants, and Gods: Stories Behind Hawaiian Place Names

Disclosure: Complimentary books were received for review purposes.

Over the past several years, there has been a concerted effort to focus on Hawai‘i and its people, roots, tradition, culture, and foods.  

Whether through workshops, dining experiences, training, books, or social media, it has been amazing to see people dive in and learn so much about their own culture or this place we are lucky to call home.

Two children's books were recently released by BeachHouse Publishing that even adults will learn from.  

Edith Kanaka‘ole: The Heart of Hula
written by David Del Rocco and illustrated by Storm Kano

The Wayfinders biography series focuses on people integral to our culture and who have left a lasting legacy on Hawai‘i. The newest installment features Aunty Edith Kanaka‘ole - a renowned kumu, artist, and cultural practitioner.

It's an easy read for young ones to learn more about Aunty Edith's life and her community contributions, and the brief stories about her childhood and upbringing were so interesting.  This book has some personal significance to me, as my work in Hilo has allowed me the good fortune to have met and worked with some of Aunty Edith's family members.  

Lizards, Giants, and Gods: Stories Behind Hawaiian Place Names
written by Hugh Dunn and illustrated by Kelsie Dayna

In Lizards, Giants, and Gods, kids can learn more about the stories behind various places throughout the islands. I personally did not know the stories behind many of the place names, so I was very intrigued.

I feel it's so important for kids to learn the Hawaiian names and why the those names were chosen, as many people, myself included, only are familiar with the Western names of many of these places (eg Ke Awa Lau o Pu‘uloa vs Pearl Harbor and Mokuola vs Coconut Island). The vivid illustrations help to develop the stories, making them even more fascinating.

Definitely recommend these books to add to your keiki's library!

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The Story of Lucy by Stacey Hayashi

For decades, Stacey Hayashi has been passing on the knowledge and stories of the 100th/442nd Battalion. When she first shared with me her ideas in the early 2000s (we have known each other since college) about a movie and the comic book she was working on, I didn't realize back then just how important her work was.

But thanks to her perseverance and work on Journey of Heroes, Go For Broke Movie, and now The Story of Lucy, as well as so many other related projects, the history and legacy of these true heroes will be preserved and perpetuated.

THE STORY OF LUCY (from the website)

The 100th Infantry, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, was the most highly decorated unit in US military history for its size and time in combat. The 100th/442nd were AJA, as we say in Hawaii -- Americans of Japanese Ancestry. It's an inspiring true story of overcoming racism and adversity in a difficult time for our nation, and what it means to be an American.

The 442nd's 3rd Battalion medics adopted a puppy in Luciana, a war-torn town in Italy, in July 1944. 442nd veteran Eddie Yamasaki took many photos of her. She was paid for with candy (some kids owned her and a deal was negotiated), fed with an eyedropper, and even had her own dogtags. They named her Lucy (short for Luciana), and she became their mascot. All the medics adored her and she went all over Europe with them, providing immeasurable comfort and joy for those who saw the worst of what happens to soldiers in combat. After the war ended, medic Howard Kozuma brought her back to Hawaii.

Click here to order the book.
 

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The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida

A couple years ago I read The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida, who has autism and was 13 years old when he wrote it.

Naoki explains his perspectives on life so people can try and understand why people with autism think and act the way they do.

This is a fantastic book for anyone who knows someone with autism, and really helped me look at my son and some of his behavior's in a different light.

There has been a lot in the news lately about an influencer who adopted a boy with special needs, only to "rehome" him 3 years later.

My heart breaks for the boy, but I can only hope that he is now with his "forever family."

This quote from the book resonated with me upon hearing the story of this little boy.

"The hardest ordeal for us is the idea that we are causing grief for other people. We can put up with our own hardships okay, but the thought that our lives are the source of other people's unhappiness, that's plain unbearable.”

I hope all the parties involved can now find true happiness within their hearts.

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On Mom Time: A Belated National Literacy Month Post

Here are the cliff notes: I’ve been booked. So, while I had the best intentions of doing a post for National Literacy Month (which was in September, *face palm*) the month came and went.

But after shelving this post for weeks, I thought well, better late than never. Moms will understand. So here it goes.

The statistics on why you should read to your child are staggering. Research shows that children that have five books read to them a day enter kindergarten having heard 1.4 million more words than kids who were never read to. That’s a lot of words.

Even kids who are only read one book a day still hear 290,000 more words by age five than those who aren’t read to regularly. Interestingly, research also shows you should read the same books to your child over and over for reading comprehension. So yes, all of this reading is VERY HARD to do (you know, on top of the laundry and diaper changes and just keeping the baby alive). But I guess that’s a topic for another post (which will also likely be weeks late).

So while we’re busy trying to read five books a day to E and also making sure to put the same ones on repeat, we wanted to share some of our faves that have made the rotation. Because let’s face it, right now E is still more interested in eating the books than reading them… but one day!

·      Where’s Spot: The Spot series is one I still recollect reading as a kid. E loves dogs so this one is a no brainer. Plus he enjoys trying to tear off all the flaps.

·      It’s Time to Sleep My Love: Ok, if there was a Nobel Prize for infant literature I think this book should have one. It’s poetry. Beautifully written. This is one book I could read every single night and never have it get old.   

·      Clifford’s Bedtime: Back to E’s love of fur things, we like reading about the different things dogs do. This book is a good one. Clifford’s First Halloween that we just bought… not so much.

·      Guess How Much I Love You: This one may be on here because it was one of the first books I read to E and Todd just liked making fun of my repeating “Little Nut Brown Hare” and “Big Nut Brown Hare” over and over again. I agree, they could have been more creative with the names, but it’s still a sweet story.

·      Mama: As someone who is rooting hard for E’s first word to be “Mama” (or something of that nature) how can I not include this one? Sure there is no plot (which I hate). Or complete sentences (also hate). But any chance to reinforce this all-important word so I can beat “Dada” gets my vote.

What books are you reading to your little? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy reading!  

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I’ve Been Thinking... Maria Shriver's New Book For a Meaningful Life

Disclosure:  Complimentary copy was received for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.

For a while now, I have been looking for a book to read.  And although I do love a good piece of fiction, I wanted to read something that would inspire me and make me think.  I'm halfway into I’VE BEEN THINKING..., the latest book by award-winning journalist and mother of four, Maria Shriver.  Chapter by chapter she shares her stories and reflections for a meaningful life.  I like how each chapter ends with a personal prayer from Shriver which I feel really proves that many of us - no matter how different we think we are - share the same desires and doubts in our hearts.

Although the concepts of being present or the power of gratitude are not new to me, reading her book has given me much new insight.  For example, the power of peace starts from within.  The idea is that what we hold inside of us immediately affects our homes, our work, or community, and ultimately the world.  With two little ones watching and imitating myself and my husband, this concept hits home and motivates me to make sure I hold happiness in my heart and readily display it.  I look forward to reading the rest of her reflections as I appreciate the guidance I have received from her stories.  She's like my own personal cheerleader cheering me on and handing me the keys I need to stay on the path to a meaningful life.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maria Shriver is the mother of four, a Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer, a six-time New York Times bestselling author, a tireless Alzheimer’s advocate, and an NBC News special anchor. When she’s not thinking or writing, she can be found hanging with her kids.

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Book Review: Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life

I consider myself a happy person and I know that happiness comes from within, but as a mother of two kids, I worry about my children relying on outside factors to make them happy.  I was curious when I saw the title Are We Happy Yet?  Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life by international recognized positive psychology coach and talk radio show host Lisa Cypers Kamen.  Her helpful book shares with the reader her journey and provides practical tips, tools, and exercises needed for developing sustainable happiness.

In her book Cyper Kamen states, "If you want to be happy, avoid victimhood at all costs."  I think this is a key lesson and I want to teach my kids that they are each the hero in their own life; that they are in charge of their lasting happiness.  The book discusses a Happiness Factor or H-factor and how by pinpointing whether it's low, medium, or high that you will learn more about yourself.  And with this personal knowledge, you will be equipped with the power to make better choices and to understand why we make certain choices.

Another key idea I liked in the book is to let go of the toxic people in our lives.  By letting go of these people that complicate our lives, we make more room for peace and contentment.    Already my nine year old daughter has experienced this process.  She has dealt with classmates that make her emotionally sad and have let those friendships end.  She now focuses on friendships that make her feel good about herself.

Cyper Kamen tells readers the secret to happiness is inside each one of us and gives us the awareness, tools, and strategies through Eight Keys on how to reach it.  I enjoyed reading her approach and found it both enlightening and realistic.  Read on for more information about the book and the author.  Are We Happy Yet? is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound and neighborhood booksellers.

About the Book:
Happiness is an Inside Job. A NO-NONSENSE APPROACH TO BOOSTING HAPPINESS FOR SKEPTICS AND SEEKERS

It's safe to say that 2016 was a tough year and, with the start of 2017, things don't seem
much brighter. From political upsets to the loss of major icons, and anger-filled social media
feeds to daily violent news reports, it's understandable that stress levels are running high.
Internationally recognized positive psychology coach and talk radio show host Lisa
Cypers Kamen's powerful message of how to take control of your own happiness is not only
relevant, but desperately needed. "It's not enough to just think happy thoughts," says Cypers
Kamen. "We must take action to create happiness." And thankfully she's sharing just how to do
that in her new book, Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life, a no-nonsense
fusion of science and heart, filled with proven tools and techniques for creating your very own
"happiness revolution."

In Are We Happy Yet? Cypers Kamen reveals her breakthrough system for cultivating
sustainable happiness and well-being, regardless of life's drama, trauma, or challenges. Through
practical tips, tools, and exercises, she shows readers exactly how to boost their "Happiness-
Factor" to new levels, and tap into the joy and peace they deserve. Through her wide-ranging,
decades-long career, Cypers Kamen has redefined - for herself and many others, worldwide -
the pursuit of happiness, even during life's most challenging times. Are We Happy Yet? draws
on that expertise and shows readers how to take the applicable principles of positive psychology,
and start using it in their daily lives.

"Positive psychology focuses on what's right with life here, now and tomorrow, rather
than ruminating on what's wrong with it and what happened in the past," says Cypers Kamen.
"Are We Happy Yet? helps readers embrace the absolute best parts of life, each and every day."

Through the pages of Are We Happy Yet?, Cypers Kamen teaches readers how to:
. Accept the past for what it is-a reference point, not a destination
. Embrace the truth that, while life is tough, you can be happy
. Transform your relationship with yourself from enemy to ally
. Appreciate why less is often more
. Focus on what's right with your life, not what's wrong
. Control the only person you can-yourself!
. Invest in yourself to become more mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually fit
. Use your newly discovered joy to become a more positive and productive influence in the
world
. And much more!

About the Author:
Lisa Cypers Kamen, MA, is an internationally recognized applied positive psychology
coach, author, speaker, documentary filmmaker, and host of the popular syndicated talk
radio show Harvesting Happiness, where she has helped millions of people around the
world generate more joy and fulfillment in their life. Cypers Kamen's global practice
focuses on addiction as well as trauma and life-crisis recovery to help clients balance their
minds, bodies, and emotions, create greater overall well-being, and transform Post-
Traumatic Stress (PTS) into Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG). She is a frequent radio,
television, and print media guest expert, TEDx presenter, and contributor to The
Huffington Post, Positively Positive, and Inspire Me Today.

Cypers Kamen is also the founder of the nonprofit Harvesting Happiness for Heroes, where
she spearheads stigma-free trauma recovery and post-deployment reintegration services
for military personnel and their loved ones challenged by the invisible wounds of war. Her
goal is to help them reawaken joy in their lives.
To learn more about Lisa and her work, visit www.HarvestingHappiness.com &
www.HarvestingHappinessTalkRadio.com, and connect with her on Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn, and Instagram.

 

 

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Food to Write Home About .... HAWAII

Disclosure: Complimentary book received for review purposes.

Food to Write Home About ... Hawaii is the perfect book for anyone who has an interest in Hawaii's culinary scene.  

The book is comprised of a series of letters from the author, Bill Tobin (co-owner of Tiki's Grill & Bar) to his mother who lives in Nebraska, where he grew up.   His letters are very heart-felt, as he reminisces about his childhood and how it influences and shapes his culinary experiences in Hawaii.  How does someone from a mid-western state like Nebraska end up living in Hawaii and writing a book about Hawaii's food scene? You'll need to pick up a copy of this book to find out!

Following each letter to his mother, the author writes about a chef that he had written about in his letter to his mom, followed by a recipe from the chef. 

Twenty one chefs from all over Hawaii are featured in the book, and we learn intimate details of the lives of each chef - their educational background, their rise to fame, and where they are now.

The book covers well known and established chefs such as George Mavrothalassitis (Chef Mavro)

and Bev Gannon, who are acclaimed to be part of a group of chefs credited with the development of Hawaii Regional Cuisine in the 1990s. 

The book also features new and upcoming chefs such as Andrew Le (The Pig and the Lady)

and Chris Kajioka (Senia - coming Autumn 2016).

What's great about this book is that you get to learn about all of these highly celebrated chefs (both well known and under the radar) all under one cover.  

And you also get to admire the beautiful photographs of Hawaii by local photographer Oliver Koning.

And if you're the type that likes to try to cook what you eat at their restaurants, you'll enjoy the authentic recipes in the book.

Food to Write Home About ... Hawaii is the perfect gift for all the foodies on your Christmas list. And best of all, it's available for pre-order on Amazon, so you can order it online and have it shipped directly to your gift recipient's door.

About the Authors

Bill Tobin grew up in a small farming community in Nebraska. After a stint in the U.S. Army prior he moved to Hawaii to attain a Business Administration degree. After founding his own restaurant company, he went on to be the Managing Partner and CEO of Tiki's Grill and Bar LLC as well as chairman of the Hawaii Restaurant Association and technical advisor toRunning a Bar for Dummies published by Wiley and Sons, Inc. He lives on Honolulu.

Brian Berusch has directed and edited various national lifestyle magazines, as well as written articles for more than two dozen titles, includingTown & Country, Saveur, Wine Enthusiast andDepartures. He has appeared onThe Today Show as a travel and food expert. Berusch's first book was a private memoir for Aniello Lauro, celebrated hotelier of the famed Splendid Royale in Lugano, Switzerland. He lives on Honolulu.

For more information on this wonderful book and its authors, visit the website at: http://foodtowritehomeabout.com/

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Book Review - Custom Confections: Delicious Desserts You Can Create and Enjoy

Disclosure:  The book was provided complimentary for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.  

Lately, my daughter has been obsessed with the show Cupcake Wars and for Christmas asked for a decorating set.  It was such great timing that I received a complimentary copy of Custom Confections:  Delicious Desserts You Can Create and Enjoy by Jen Besel.  The book is full of fun dessert creations that look amazing, but are simple enough for kids to make.  Looking through the book together for ideas was a great way for us to spend some quality time together as well as keeping her busy during the winter school break.    

Deciding on a recipe.

After looking through all 40 yummy recipes, my daughter decided on the Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes.  The book contains easy step-by-step instructions and photos which is perfect for kids.    

Sprinkling.

Piping.

Her masterpiece!

Custom Confections also has recipes for more difficult desserts.  A couple of them that caught my eye were the Checkerboard Cake and Sweetheart Cupcakes (cupcakes with a heart baked in the middle).  But, the step by step instructions make the desserts seem do-able and not as daunting.  Thanks to this great dessert book, I'm looking forward to our next baking project together! 

Disclosure:  The book was provided complimentary for review purposes.  All opinions are entirely my own.            

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