Jerilyn Ito
Double Rainbow Island
Check it out at Amazon.com
Malia is tired of staying home and decides to seek out the other Nalo. Along the way she meets Kaleo and Mano, and together they discover friendship and new colors. But can they get their families to leave their home and meet the other Nalo?
$10.95
$10.95
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Author of "Finding our `Ohana " $10.95
Order Now! ISBN: 978-0-9826344-1-7
The author will be having a book signing on March 6th. (The book signing was a huge success. Jerilyn Ito sold a "load" of books and met a lot of enthusiastic people. She said it was like a BIG celebration. We are so proud of Jerilyn.
www.findingourohana.weebly.com/
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What others say about Jerilyn's Book
Book Review of "Finding Our `Ohana"
It's Children’s Book Week from May 10 to May 16, and to celebrate I will be reviewing two self-published children’s books that the authors were kind enough to provide us with. You can celebrate, too, by buying children’s books, borrowing them from your local library, reading to your children and more! How are you celebrating Children’s Book Week? Let us know and stay tuned with us for the remainder of the week as we will continue our celebration with more reviews and talk about some of our favorite children’s books.
The first book that I want to talk about is by first-time local author Jerilyn Ito. It is called Finding Our ‘Ohana (Sleepytown Press, 2010) and is a paperback picture book illustrated by Brooke Wilmeth. Recommended for children ages 6-8 years of age, it’s a tale about two keiki (kids) named Lani and Maleko. The two of them are in search of their ‘ohana(family) and along their journey the reader enjoys experiencing all the delicious foods of Hawai’i through the duo’s encounters and imagination. Don’t read this book on an empty stomach, because Jerilyn Ito runs the gamut of local delicacies from laulau to liliko’i orange juice, from mac salad to shave ice! It’ll get your appetite going! The cute part is, Ito has a glossary in the beginning of the book describing all of the local words which includes most of the “exotic” food in the story.
I did have trouble deciphering whether some of the occurrences were in the children’s head or if mystical properties were involved. I’d love to hear interpretations on this, especially from your kids. Also, with no backstory on their predicament, I had a sneaking suspicion that Lani and Maleko may have been homeless, which if true adds an interesting layer to the story and the idea of “finding one’s family.” Irregardless of these nuances, I’m sure children will have fun exercising their imagination by mimicking the concept of transforming every day objects like a crate, bricks and sarong into a bountiful dinner table. Plus, understanding what makes an ‘ohana is an integral lesson in Hawaii, whether it’s a nuclear family or the kapakahi mix found at Aunty Aloha’s. Jerilyn Ito also includes a section in the back for educational purposes; including teacher ideas, journal writing suggestions, comprehension and site mapping activities that can be done after reading the story.
-Book Review from http://www.hawaiibookblog.com/?p=2763
The first book that I want to talk about is by first-time local author Jerilyn Ito. It is called Finding Our ‘Ohana (Sleepytown Press, 2010) and is a paperback picture book illustrated by Brooke Wilmeth. Recommended for children ages 6-8 years of age, it’s a tale about two keiki (kids) named Lani and Maleko. The two of them are in search of their ‘ohana(family) and along their journey the reader enjoys experiencing all the delicious foods of Hawai’i through the duo’s encounters and imagination. Don’t read this book on an empty stomach, because Jerilyn Ito runs the gamut of local delicacies from laulau to liliko’i orange juice, from mac salad to shave ice! It’ll get your appetite going! The cute part is, Ito has a glossary in the beginning of the book describing all of the local words which includes most of the “exotic” food in the story.
I did have trouble deciphering whether some of the occurrences were in the children’s head or if mystical properties were involved. I’d love to hear interpretations on this, especially from your kids. Also, with no backstory on their predicament, I had a sneaking suspicion that Lani and Maleko may have been homeless, which if true adds an interesting layer to the story and the idea of “finding one’s family.” Irregardless of these nuances, I’m sure children will have fun exercising their imagination by mimicking the concept of transforming every day objects like a crate, bricks and sarong into a bountiful dinner table. Plus, understanding what makes an ‘ohana is an integral lesson in Hawaii, whether it’s a nuclear family or the kapakahi mix found at Aunty Aloha’s. Jerilyn Ito also includes a section in the back for educational purposes; including teacher ideas, journal writing suggestions, comprehension and site mapping activities that can be done after reading the story.
-Book Review from http://www.hawaiibookblog.com/?p=2763
"Finding Our 'Ohana also teaches children a great lesson about being grateful for the things they have. Many children in our country right now are going without food and a family to love them everyday. For the kids who are fortunate enough to have these things, this book can help them understand that there are other kids out there that need nourishment both for their bodies and their hearts. So pick up this book and share this great magical journey with your kids."
--- Book review excerpt by Abbey Fatica on Living My MoMent
"I’m sure children will have fun exercising their imagination by mimicking the concept of transforming every day objects like a crate, bricks and sarong into a bountiful dinner table. Plus, understanding what makes an ‘ohana is an integral lesson in Hawaii, whether it’s a nuclear family or the kapakahi mix found at Tutu Aloha’s. Jerilyn Ito also includes a section in the back for educational purposes; including teacher ideas, journal writing suggestions, comprehension and site mapping activities that can be done after reading the story."
---Book review exerpt from Hawaii Book Blog
--- Book review excerpt by Abbey Fatica on Living My MoMent
"I’m sure children will have fun exercising their imagination by mimicking the concept of transforming every day objects like a crate, bricks and sarong into a bountiful dinner table. Plus, understanding what makes an ‘ohana is an integral lesson in Hawaii, whether it’s a nuclear family or the kapakahi mix found at Tutu Aloha’s. Jerilyn Ito also includes a section in the back for educational purposes; including teacher ideas, journal writing suggestions, comprehension and site mapping activities that can be done after reading the story."
---Book review exerpt from Hawaii Book Blog
Holy Family Catholic Academy
Author, Jerilyn Ito enjoyed her school visit on Friday, April 23rd. She was a "surprise reader" for the school's fourth grade class!
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I am so excited that the day has finally arrived for my Holy Family Catholic Academy school visit. I think back to the day when my coworker asked me to visit her daughter's fourth grade class. I was stunned. Next, I was nervous when my coworker informed me that her daughter's teacher, Mrs. Render also extended the invitation. Mrs. Render was excited to have the "surprise reader" also be the author! Oh my... But once all of my nerves settled down, I thought...I have arrived!
Well, the day finally arrived and it was such a joy. The class came in from afternoon recess and they were rushing to sit in the front. I thought they were going to sit on my feet! They were such an attentive class during the book reading. Then came the "Mmmm" and "I like that" when the local foods part of the story was read. Upon completion of my reading, several hands went up at the same time to ask a question.
" How many times did you edit the story?"
"What inspired you to write the story?"
"How long did it take to write the story?"
"Are you writing another story? What is the name of your next story?"
Tough questions! Phew! I think I managed to answer all questions to their satisfaction.
Thank you Mrs. Render and the fourth grade class for your excitement and eagerness to hear my story. Another big thank you to Madison and her mom for the wonderful Micronesian Ginger lei!
School visits are so enjoyable! :)
Well, the day finally arrived and it was such a joy. The class came in from afternoon recess and they were rushing to sit in the front. I thought they were going to sit on my feet! They were such an attentive class during the book reading. Then came the "Mmmm" and "I like that" when the local foods part of the story was read. Upon completion of my reading, several hands went up at the same time to ask a question.
" How many times did you edit the story?"
"What inspired you to write the story?"
"How long did it take to write the story?"
"Are you writing another story? What is the name of your next story?"
Tough questions! Phew! I think I managed to answer all questions to their satisfaction.
Thank you Mrs. Render and the fourth grade class for your excitement and eagerness to hear my story. Another big thank you to Madison and her mom for the wonderful Micronesian Ginger lei!
School visits are so enjoyable! :)
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Maunawili Elementary School (Kailua)
Author, Jerilyn Ito had a school visit on Monday, April 5th to her alma mater!
It was a great day visiting and reading Finding Our 'Ohana to the the entire kindergarten student grade level (picture on the left), also my niece's class. They were having guest speakers on community helpers. I felt priviledged to be invited! The children were so well behaved. They also asked such wonderful questions about "What do you wear", "Where do you work?", "What do you drive?" and "What is your kuleana (job or responsibilities)?" One child even asked to go to the bathroom! :) It was so cute when they made "Mmmm" noises when the local foods were mentioned!
A big thank you to Ms. Ducote for inviting me, and the kindergarten students for being so attentive and making me feel so welcome!
I had an unexpected reading to another class. My other niece really wanted me read to her second grade level class, too (picture on the right). I was fortunate that Ms. Oki made time in her class schedule to allow me to read to the students. I was able to read the story, as well as explain how I came up with the story Finding Our 'Ohana. They made some very interesting comments about the story!
A big thank you to Ms. Oki, her students and thank you for the lei!
A big thank you to Ms. Ducote for inviting me, and the kindergarten students for being so attentive and making me feel so welcome!
I had an unexpected reading to another class. My other niece really wanted me read to her second grade level class, too (picture on the right). I was fortunate that Ms. Oki made time in her class schedule to allow me to read to the students. I was able to read the story, as well as explain how I came up with the story Finding Our 'Ohana. They made some very interesting comments about the story!
A big thank you to Ms. Oki, her students and thank you for the lei!
Brooke Wilmeth: Illustrator of "Finding Our `Ohana"
With a Master's degree in Severe and Profound Disabilities from Johns Hopkins university, she has used drawing as an invaluable teaching tool both in the classroom and working privately with children. Brooke grew up in Hawaii and now lives in Maine with her partner and their new son, where she draws in between feedings. This is the first book she has illustrated.
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