Mae Waite
Mae Waite was adopted at the age of three from Yunnan, China and she found her home in Hawai’i. From that point on, the sparkling vibrancy and rich texture of the islands would become a constant source of inspiration for Mae’s work. Mae is a graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa where she earned a B.A. in Studio Arts. She has won many accolades for her artwork from around the globe, including the Lorenzo De’ Medici Student Exhibition in Florence, Italy; the Honolulu Printmakers 91st Annual Exhibition; the Exhibition at the ʻIolani Gallery in Kaneohe; and the Hankyu Hawai’i Fair in Osaka, Japan. In 2019, Mae won the Kailua Night Market Urban Art Battle amongst many other spectacular showings.
Kids Books (1)
Synopsis:
Aloha Everything is a magical story that will take you on a thrilling journey through the breathtaking islands of Hawaiʻi!
In this exciting adventure, you'll encounter mighty canoes crashing over ocean waves, regal hawks soaring high above the clouds, and brilliant lizards jumping nimbly through forest trees! Most importantly, you'll meet a courageous young girl named Ano who learns, grows, and comes to love her island home with all her heart.
Since the day that Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, this adventurous child has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula — a storytelling dance form that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people — Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha.
Aloha Everything is both a captivating read and a fantastic educational resource for learning about Hawaiian history, ecology, and culture. With breathtaking hand-painted illustrations and beautiful rhyming poetry that will lull little ones into brilliant dreams of vibrant adventure, this book is sure to capture the hearts of both children and parents alike.
The beautiful poetry—weaving its way through every page—artfully blends 25 Hawaiian words into the English prose and provides a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of aloha in relation to the land, the people, and the lore. There is also a pronunciation guide and glossary providing additional information for those looking to learn more about the rich language and culture of Hawai’i.
Reviews
"Mesmerizing, metered verse combines English and Hawaiian words for a rich tale of Hawaiian history, culture, ecology, and legends. Making deft use of light and shadow, the vibrant images bring the text to life... A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity."–starred review, Kirkus
"Lush illustrations by Waite and rhythmic quatrains by Melia George paint the story of a Hawaiian girl who learns about her cultural heritage through hula. . . . acrylic and gouache paintings linger on the eye in this gossamer work." –Publishers Weekly
Educator Information
Recommended for ages 5 to 8.
Additional Information
40 pages | 11.25" x 9.75" | Hardcover
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