Skip to main content

Caren Loebel-Fried's New Book is Available

Caren Loebel-Fried is an award-winning author and artist from Volcano, Hawai`i. Birds, conservation, and the natural world are the foundations for her work. Caren has created eight storybooks to date, including Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds published by UH Press, and A Perfect Day for an Albatross published by Cornell Lab Publishing Group. Her books have been recipients of the American Folklore Society’s Aesop Prize for Children’s Folklore and the Hawai`i Book Publishers Association’s Ka Palapala Po‘okela Awards. Caren also creates iconic, educational art for conservation organizations and government agencies, including US Fish & Wildlife Service, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, Kilauea Point Natural History Association, and Conservation Council for Hawai`i. Caren aims to bring people closer to the natural world in the hope that they will want to help care for it..

On a school trip to Honolulu's Bishop Museum, Manu and his classmates are excited to see an ancient skirt made with a million yellow feathers from the 'ō'ō, a bird native to Hawai'i that had gone extinct long ago. Manu knew his full name, Manu'ō'ōmauloa, meant "May the 'ō'ō bird live on" but never understood: Why was he named after a native forest bird that no longer existed?

Manu told his parents he wanted to know more about 'ō'ō birds and together they searched the internet. The next day, his teacher shared more facts with the class. There was so much to learn As his mind fills with new discoveries, Manu has vivid dreams of his namesake bird. After a surprise visit to Hawai'i Island where the family sees native forest birds in their natural setting, Manu finally understands the meaning of his name, and that he can help the birds and promote a healthy forest.

Manu, the Boy Who Loved Birds is a story about extinction, conservation, and culture, told through a child’s experience and curiosity. Readers learn along with Manu about the extinct honeyeater for which he was named, his Hawaiian heritage, and the relationship between animals and habitat. An afterword includes in-depth information on Hawai‘i’s forest birds and featherwork in old Hawai‘i, a glossary, and a list of things to do to help. Illustrated with eye-catching, full-color block prints, the book accurately depicts and incorporates natural science and culture in a whimsical way, showing how we can all make a difference for wildlife.

Watch the Book Trailer here:  

Image

Image

Date: 08/15/2020
Time: 4:00am - 5:00am
Place:

Virtual Event
United States