PICTURE BOOK - Luka's Quilt by Georgia Guback

Illustrated by the author

1994, Greenwillow Books

HC $16.99 - looks like it's still in print

32 pgs.

Goodreads rating:  3.35 - 49 ratings

My rating: 3.5

Endpapers: solid green, the color of the background of the quilt Tutu made for Luka

Illustrations are cut paper Collage!  Gorgeous

1^st line/s:  "My tutu lives with us.  Tutu.  That's Hawaiian for grandmother.  Tutu takes care of me while Mom and Dad work.  We do lots of things together.  I like that, and so does Tutu.  But all that changed when the quilt came along."

My comments:  I loved the cut paper collage illustrations (gorgeous!) and the beautiful quilt that Tutu made for Luka.  I love all the information about Hawaii.  But I don't love that Luka's pretty much a spoiled little brat.  Nothing I can change about that, it's part of the story, and the story about making the quilt, and the leis, is super. Just don't like the kid.  At all.

Goodreads:  Luka and her grandmother Tutu are best friends until Luka shows her disappointment at the traditional Hawaiian quilt that Tutu makes for her. Tutu is hurt, Luka is upset, and things just aren't the same anymore. But when Lei Day comes, the two set aside there differences to enjoy the holiday.
          "Guback's storytelling proves as affable as her bright, intricate cut-paper collages." -- Publishers Weekly.

MOVIE - The Descendants

Hawaii, George Clooney, an interesting, complex story, and wonderful acting - the whole deal!
Released Limited 11-18-11
12-9-11 at El Con with Fran
R (1:51)
RT: Critics 90% Audience 80%
cag Loved it!
Director:  Alexander Payne
Searchlight Pictures

Shaliene Woodley, George Clooney

The Tsunami Quilt - Anthony D. Fredericks

Grandfather's Story
Illustrator: Tammy Yee
Published: May, 2007
For: School-age kids (though it says 5-10, I'd go with the older end)
Rating: 4.5
Read 2-24-09 Himmel Lib.
17.95
Endpapers: White

After Kimo's grandfather, who is also his best firend, dies, his father tells him the story of how, on April 1, 1946, his grandfather watched his brother and 23 others be swept away in a tsunami. Kimo has accompanied his grandfather yearly to the memorial overlooking the sea where it happened -- but now he understands. Father and son also take a trip to the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo, where one of the exhibits is a quilt created in honor of the twenty-four who lost thier lives at Laupahoehoe Point (Lah PAH hoy hoy) on that April day in 1946. However, the title's a bit misleading - the book is not about the quilt, just the story behind it.

Full page illustrations with text over the artwork - even the page with the copyright information. Sad story. Cool telling.