The Last Princess: The Story of Princess Ka'iulani of Hawai'i

Monday, January 14, 2013

The Last Princess: The Story of Princess Ka'iulani of Hawai'i

Written by: Fay Stanley

First line: The life of Princess Ka'iulani of Hawai'i began like the happiest of fairy tales.

Why you should read this book: Informative but heartbreaking, this is the true story of the last princess of Hawai'i, and her desperate attempts to save her homeland from the effects of American capitalist colonialism. From her idyllic infancy, to her British education, her fruitless pleas before the American government, and her tragically early death of either inflammatory rheumatism or a broken heart, this honest biography for young readers outlines the political and commercial reality and travesty of her life. An important, and often overlooked, moment in American history.

Why you shouldn't read this book: Still carrying the white man's burden, toiling to civilize the noble savage, can't understand why they resist your help so persistently.

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You can learn more about children's books at the American Library Association website. Your public library is a great place to introduce your children to books. They will have special programs and incentives for kids of all ages to love reading. In most systems children are entitled to their own library cards from the time they are old enough to write their own names. It's a great way to teach responsibility as well as foster a lifelong love of learning and books.

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Dragon's Library

Monday, January 14, 2013