Ohana Means Family

This book for children aged four and up is about a shared meal in Hawaii, although that information is not clear until the afterward. The meal is based on poi (also not explained for non-Hawaiian readers) until the notes at the end.

The story is told in the form of patterned verse in the style of

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“This is the House that Jack Built.” Each double-page spread, beginning with a bowl of poi to be used in a family luau, takes us behind the scenes to show where the poi came from and how it was made. In this way, readers learn about Hawaiian traditions that form the basis of family get-togethers.

Stylistic illustrations by Kenard Pak are lovely.

Back matter includes information about poi, an author’s note, and a glossary. I felt much of that information, however, could have been included within the text or at least at the beginning, rather than the end, of the book.

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