Carla Golembe,
A Story of Surfing
Bess Press, 2006.

The Story of Hula
Bess Press, 2004.

Ages 4-10

The flower-strewn pages of Carla Gelembe’s two tropical titles, A Story of Surfing and The Story of Hula, transport readers to the Hawaiian Islands and teach some history along the way.  Both books are paired with a cd which narrates the story complete with page-turning prompts for younger listeners. Depicting the beauty and unique nature of the islands’ flora, both stories are accompanied by Golembe’s color-saturated, sensual, and dreamy illustrations.

In A Story of Surfing, eight year old Keana is hopupu (excited) because she is finally old enough to surf with her uncle. In anticipation of her first lesson, a time traveling dream acquaints Keana and the reader with the history of surfing.  Her time machine is a giant wave which picks her up and drops her at different points in surf history. Told in rhyme (although the rhymes sometimes sound a bit strained), Hawaiian words and phrases are sprinkled liberally throughout the trip through time.  When Keana struggles to learn to surf the next day, memories of the “wahine surfers, the waterwomen strong and smart,” inspire her to keep trying.

The Story of Hula, a finalist in the children’s audiobook category for the 2005 Benjamin Franklin Award, is best enjoyed via its cd, which combines the gentle strumming of the ukelele and melodic cadences of the Hawaiian language to convey the chant-like spirit of this ancient storytelling dance.  Lush illustrations of tropical fish and flowers edge the pages, and children will be particularly drawn to the picture of young hula dancers chanting the mele, or story, for Pele, the volcano goddess.  Golembe’s depiction of fiery Pele, who “rules the realm of trembling earth and hissing flame” is suggestive of the mystery and magnetism associated with the Hawaiian islands.

Both books include glossaries of Hawaiian words and, in the case of A Story of Surfing, a glossary of surf lingo and a Who’s Who for readers who want to learn more about the sport.  In The Story of Hula, a full-page historic note provides a more detailed history of the ancient dance and its modern form.

Golembe’s books communicate her deep affection for Hawaiian culture, and time spent with either title will leave the reader hopupu about all things Hawaiian.