You wouldn’t suspect that Ilima Loomis’ first children’s book, “Ka’imi’s First Round-Up” (Island Heritage, $11.95) was just released in September 2008. It evokes a traditional nostalgia of days past: Stoic Hawaiian cowboys (paniolos), animals roaming on open ranges, a caring
You wouldn’t suspect that Ilima Loomis’ first children’s book, “Ka’imi’s First Round-Up” (Island Heritage, $11.95) was just released in September 2008. It evokes a traditional nostalgia of days past: Stoic Hawaiian cowboys (paniolos), animals roaming on open ranges, a caring yet stern relationship between a father and son, a boy’s right of passage experienced in nature. For the adult reader, these themes in Loomis’ book make the reader appreciate and long for the simplicity of the past. The child audience (especially children older than toddlers) will gravitate towards young and determined Ka‘imi and his adventure to become a paniolo like his beloved Papa.
Loomis wrote a previous book on Paniolos titled “Rough Riders: Hawai‘i’s Paniolo and Their Stories” which no doubt provided the rich history and knowledge needed to capture the essence of this unique culture in her children’s book venture. Authentic terminology is embedded naturally in the story, such as Ka‘imi’s kaula ‘ili (rawhide rope) and the cowboys’ shouts (“Mahope! Mamua! Hele! Hele!”) as they are herding cattle. The most important gift of this book though, is the relationship between Ka‘imi and his father: A tender, loving relationship combined with the tension of a young boy wanting to be independent and please his father at the same time.
Loomis’ story flows gracefully with a sophisticated tone of a seasoned writer (“a young mother cow bolted, scattering the group like spilled marbles”) using metaphors elevated from those usually found in children’s books. Her story is graced by illustrator Don Robinson’s realistic, sun-touched pages. The landscape paintings of the pastures are graceful and sweeping. His rendering of the cows, horses and the cowboys capture a quiet and charming yet rugged life. Robinson’s illustrations were a fine match with Loomis’ story. Together they created not a trendy book or a fading fad, but rather a timeless piece, much like the palaka print shirts Ka‘imi and his Papa don throughout the round-up.
• Lois Ann Ell reviews children’s books for The Garden Island. She is a resident freelance writer and mother of three.
