by Constance Hale (Author), Kathleen Peterson (Illustrator)
A young girl, 'Iwalani, likes to wander down to the beach to an ironwood tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) which is a windbreak. There she plays - to her it is her playground, jungle gym, her secret friends and a wise elder. From this tree she learns about nature cycles, what freedom imagination has to offer and the power of dreams. This story is written in a blank verse format.
Front Jacket
On the North Shore of O'ahu, a girl named 'Iwalani lives with her family not far from Ka'ena Point, at the island's westernmost tip. 'Iwalani likes to wander down the beach to a place where an ironwood tree stands as a windbreakjust on the spot where the land becomes sand. The tree is 'Iwalani's playground, jungle gym, secret friend, and wise elder, all in one. From the ironwood she learns about the cycles of nature, the promise of imaginative freedom, and the power of dreams. Written as a gentle poem, with soft rhythms and playful language, 'Iwalani's Tree is the perfect bedtime book. Like a soft wind, it will lull your child to sleep.