Colorful creatures and happy ever-afters June 24, 2013

Imagine a restaurant where the menu is filled with all your favorite childhood books, the waitresses are friendly faces you see every day, and the goal is simply for your family to share a cozy evening around a good book.

On June 14, 2013 the Ka Pa‘alana book café was open for business. Our keiki and parents showed up with their favorite blanket, sat under blue Kalaeloa skies, and slipped into the world of their favorite book.

Parents helped kids read through their “menu” and place their orders. Little minds brightened with laughter and delight as Kai the ‘Opihi talked with his tutu, and Sam I Am ate green eggs and ham. Meaningful conversations emerged as keiki identified with characters and stepped into their shoes.

Ka Pa‘alana Book Café showcased the power of family literacy; parents and children creating memories and learning and growing together. Our kuleana is to allow our keiki to imagine the impossible, to believe in colorful creatures and happy-ever-afters, and this night was just a small example of all the places they could go by opening up a book.

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss.