Hawaiian legends of the guardian spirits

"Caren Loebel–Fried's writing is fresh and vivid, her art strong and alive... and I found her research to be outstanding. ‘Hawaiian Legends of the Guardian Spirits’ will enrich the hearts and minds of readers. The strength of Caren's retelling comes from a very honest wellspring of love for her work on behalf of Hawai'i and its people." from the Foreword by Nona Beamer "Ancient Hawaiians lived in a world inhabited by the spirits of gods and ancestors who moved in and out of the myriad forms of the natural world. At times of crisis or creation these guardian spirits appeared in dreams or waking life to guide, protect, or right injustice. Five of these guardians--shark, plover, breadfruit tree, owl, and gourd--make vivid appearances in this jewel-like book.... In retelling these tales, Loebel-Fried draws on several versions of each, found in published sources and ethnographic notes in the Bishop Museum Archives in Honolulu. The bibliography, citing over eighty works, attests to meticulous research. The content of the stories, the striking illustrations, and the clear and simple language make this book appealing for the young as well as for adults--and a real find for storytellers." –