Ocean Collection - Picture Books

Happy as a Dolphin

In happy as a dolphin, young readers are invited to join a lively celebration of Hawaii through whimsical illustrations and rhythmic verse. Whether jumping from a wave, threading flowers one by one, or dancing gracefully as a hula dancer; children will enjoy the colorful watercolor illustrations. The verse is also an exercise in similes, for example: “I’m as big as a mighty whale powered by his tail, and small as a hermit crab creeping like a snail.” --- Gill McBarnet is one of Hawaii's top children's books authors, and for over 40 years her stories and illustrations have captivated youngsters and young visitors to Hawai'i. Our family business is based in Upcountry Maui, where Gill writes and illustrates all of her books from her home studio. Gill started writing and illustrating children's books after the birth of her first child, Eddie, "The Whale Who Wanted to be Small" in 1982. Gill has explored a variety of island themes... View "About" to learn more about our story!

The Shark Who Learned a Lesson

In The Shark Who Learned a Lesson, Shadow the shark takes great delight in bullying the creatures of the reef, but one day the friends decide it is time to teach him a lesson. Shadow the shark is in for a big surprise.

The Whale Who Wanted to be Small

In the The Whale Who Wanted to be Small, Kanani the baby whale wishes she wasn’t bigger than her sea creature friends, and she yearns to be small like them. Only when discovering the magnificence of grandfather whale, does she proudly celebrate being one of the biggest creatures “…in the whole wide world!”