The Little Makana

Camille Naluai

This is a children’s book with a simple story line, interesting illustrations and cherished Hawaiian songs. The Little Makana is a story about a baby, still in his mother’s womb, who explores the world through the sounds he hears. It’s also a story about an expecting Hawaiian mother who is awaiting the birth of her child.

The book introduces young readers to Hawaiian words and phrases and even holds music to popular songs like "Pūpū Hinuhinu" and "Hawaiian Lullaby".

The number eight selling locally published book in 2003, the book’s illustrations are artsy and colorful. The story line is an interesting one to follow, a subject few writers of children’s books wander into, but Dano pulls it off tastefully. With the mother-baby relationship still fresh in a young one’s mind, this book may be a wonderful way to start getting your child interested in mea Hawai‘i. My 13-month-old gets very involved when we read this book and enjoys looking at the baby’s pictures created by the well-known Hawaiian author and artist Wren.