by Monique Storie, University of Guam

I spend a lot of time lurking in bookstores. When I am not picking up the latest and greatest new arrival, I am usually looking for Asian and Pacific children’s literature. In doing so, I have found some themes that resonate across the Pacific. For example, in Too Many Mangos: a Story About Sharing (Paikai, 2009), each time Kama and Nani share their grandfather’s mangos with neighbors, they receive a thank-you gift in return. By sharing with others, the children learn how reciprocal exchanges help everyone to get what they need and create a community. Similarly, Cora Cooks Pancit (Gilmore, 2009) and Lola: a Ghost Story (Torres, 2010) highlight family unity in everyday life and in times of loss. Other books, Continue reading →