"Winter is for Whales: A Book of Hawaiian Seasons" by Ron Hirschi, Yuko Green illustrator; Island Heritage, ages 6-10

Author Ron Hirschi draws on his experience as a fisheries biologist, writer and teacher to create a balanced blend of fact and fun in this picture book that explores Hawaiian seasons.

The book's cover, a fanciful die-cut whale illustration with a magnetic closure, hints at a number of lift-a-flap inserts on the pages that follow. The wet winter season and the dry summer months are observed through changes in nature, from monster-sized winter waves to the annual departure of the kolea birds.

The writing has just as much kid-friendly appeal as the book's design. Starting with the beginning of winter and the arrival of our humpback whales.

Big Island artist Yuko Green's watercolor and paper collage illustrations are as varied and engaging as the text.