Let's Call Him Lau-Wiliwili-Humuhumu-Nukunuku-Nukunuku-Apua'a-Oi'oi [With CD]

by Tim J. Myers

Book Overview

When two proud fish of different species marry and have a baby fish, an argument erupts over what to name the child. The new parents learn to work together and teach young readers about cooperation... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573062529
• ISBN13: 9781573062527
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: Bess Press
• Length: 24 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.3"

Customer Reviews

Mahalo for a wonderful book

We got this book on our visit to Hawaii. Our 2 and 4 year old boys love it. They love the rhymes (whirl-fully and girl-fully, joyfully and boy-fully, they love the Hawaiian fish, and the pictures (imagine what a fish wedding looks like!). It continues to be a favorite - even after almost 5 months. We probably read it at least once a week.

From author Tim Myers--thus the 5-star review, eh?

When I do school visits, kids often ask me where I get my ideas. One of the best ways, I say, is to simply ask, "What if...?" This little phrase can have great power, since it is, of course, a manifestation of imagination, that astounding quality so essential to our humanity. How many wonderful things have been brought to light over the centuries-in science, art, public life, as well as in simpler, more personal ways-because people weren't satisfied with "what is" but pushed for "What if...?" And "What if...?" was the beginning of this book too. Some years ago my family and I were lucky enough to spend time in Hawaii. I already knew about the famous fish with the long name and so taught my delighted kids how to say "humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apua'a." But then I learned about another fish, the lau-wili-wili-nuku-nuku-oi-oi, and it struck me: If these two ever got married-what would they name their child? Even then I understood that the story was about children whose parents are different from each other. This applies to all children to some degree, of course-but as American society grows more diverse, it's even more important. In profoundly-diverse Hawaii, I've read, there are 64 possible ethnic combinations. And the word "hapa"-which I used as "Little Bit" for the name of the fish-child-also means "half" and refers to children of mixed-ethnicity backgrounds. I wanted this book to celebrate all such children-and every child! I wanted it too to be a celebration of America, since from the beginning we've tried to be the country that embraces all the people of the world. And what better place to start than in embracing children for exactly who they are? Happy bubbling!