Malia in Hawaii: Celebrating All the Parts of Me

Summary of Book

Surfing or dancing, parades or hula, noodles or sushi? Malia likes them all! Malia in Hawaii is the story of a little girl with a long name, and an even longer list of things she likes to eat and do. Join Malia Sachi Ging Ging Lee as she explores the food and fun of her Hawaii home.

Author Biography

Karyn Hopper, a former history, English, and drama teacher, works from home while raising her two children. She grew up in the woods of New Hampshire and moved to Hawai‘i in 1994. She enjoys writing as a hobby and spending time on the beaches of the North Shore, where she drew inspiration for the book.

Illustrator Biography

Illustrator Tammy Yee has worked on more than thirty children's books including "The Tsunami Quilt" (written by Anthony Fredericks, Sleeping Bear Press), Honor Awards winner for the 2008 Storytelling World Awards in the Stories for Pre-Adolescent Listeners category; "A is for Aloha" (written by Uilani Goldsberry, Sleeping Bear Press), selected by the Hawaii Center for the Book to represent the state at the 2006 National Book Festival; "Lullaby Moon" (written by Elaine Masters, Island Heritage Publishing), winner of the 2003 Ka Palapala Po'okela Award for Excellence in Children's Books; and the island children's classic, "Baby Honu's Incredible Journey" (Island Heritage Publishing).

I'm the author and/or illustrator of more than 36 books and a part-time butterfly wrangler. When I'm not creating books, I enjoy designing origami and paper models for kids.

Growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, I explored tide pools, caught crayfish in island streams, and collected monarch caterpillars from crown flower trees to raise into butterflies.

My mother, an elementary school custodian, never skimped on books. She splurged on a set of World Book Encyclopedias, and I spent hours leafing through the gilt-edged pages. Starting with A for ancient Anatolia, I trekked through the gardens of Babylonia, immersed myself in Cleopatra's man troubles, and explored the ziggurats of Mesopotamia.

Mom also subscribed me to Parent Magazine's Book-of-the-Month Club, which hooked me on picture books and inspired me to write and illustrate spooky stories my teachers politely read. And so began my journey writing and illustrating books!