This is a moving story of Joseph De Veuster, better known around the world as Father Damien.  With full color illustrations, this chapter book starts with Damien's life as a boy in Belgium and then highlights his selfless work in the Sandwich Islands as a missionary.  After many years on the island of Hawai‘i, he spent the last sixteen years of his life in Kalawao, Moloka‘i where both children and adults afflicted with leprosy were sent to die.  Although it seemed that no one cared, Father Damien did.  He cared so much that he ended up contracting the deadly disease himself. Not just a book for those interested in religion, this fascinating story of Father Damien will have young readers thinking about how humans treat each other and ultimately what it means to belong to the human race.

Father Damien is said to be responsible for two posthumous miracles which have resulted in his canonization.  On October 11, 2009, a ceremony will be held for Father Damien to become a saint in the Catholic Church. 

Laura E. Williams was born in Korea and lived in New Jersey, Belgium, Hawai‘i, and Connecticut as a child.  She attended college in Ohio and has been able to travel the world.  Laura credits her reading as a child for her intense desire to write for children today.  Some of her previous works include Slant, Torch Fishing with the Sun, The Best Winds and The Long Silk Strand.  Laura currently lives in Hartford, Connecticut.

Kristen Kofsky is eternally inspired by the impossible beauty and dramatic scenery of Hawai‘i.  She strives to capture unique moments in time and portray scenes that might otherwise be overlooked.  Internationally recognized, Kristen’s artwork appears in both private and corporate collections.  In addition to several art shows, Kristen has illustrated one children’s book, Two Tales of Hawai‘i, three coloring books and several lines of greeting cards.  Kristen currently lives in Honolulu, Hawai‘i and her artwork can be seen at various galleries on the island of O‘ahu.

 • 60 pages
• 5-1/2" x 8-1/2"
• Soft Cover
• Suggested Retail: $5.95

Available at www.welcometotheislands.com, various online retailers or from your local book store.

Tags: Island Heritage Publishing, Kristen Kofsky, Laura E. Williams

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 2:55 pm and is filed under Children's books. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.