Author: Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, & Joe Wilson

Illustrator: Daniel Sousa

Publisher: Penguin USA; Bilingual edition / Kokila

Awards: ‎Lambda Literary Award for Children's Literature Finalist (2023), Stonewall Book Award Honor (2023)

Summary

This is the forgotten story of the Mahu, four forces larger than life who sailed from Tahiti to Waikiki on a journey to sharing their healing powers. Neither male nor female, the Mahu towered tall but with soft-spoken spirits filled with kindness. Kapaemahu was the leader of the four, and through their powers, the village was blessed with healing and knowledge. The islanders were dedicated to honoring the Mahu’s kindness, and worked dutifully to carry four great stones across the island as a symbol of remembrance and respect for generations to come. As time passed, the island faced even greater forces – ones which carried unwelcome change. And as a result, the sacred stones, and the stories of the Mahu’s healing, began to fade into obscurity. Though the people continue to fight against the erasure of their history, this story remains, a powerful reminder to keep their spirits alive, their legacy remembered, and their kindness to be spread.

Review

Absolutely captivating imagery with stunning dusk and dawn scenes to fully immerse in the Mahu’s miraculous healing powers. This book will make you feel a little more grounded to the Earth. What an important story to preserve and fight back against the erasure of Indigenous stories.

This story also features the Mahu people, capturing nonbinary representation throughout history and across cultures.