da Shop: A Reader's Blog

Mika Song is an award-winning author and illustrator of children's books and young graphic novels.  We love her energetic, expressive illustration style and her dedication to telling stories about "sweetly...

This guest post is written by yoga teacher and writer Michelle Regan: A student told me recently that everyone has at least one book in them. I didn’t want to squash his spirit, but I disagree. He certainly...

When bookseller Kristen told me her idea for making book maps, I reacted with an almost embarrassing amount of excitement. Books and Mind Mapping! Two things I LOVE. I immediately started listing and connecting all the books I’ve read in recent memory. The map that grew the most was this one. These are all books related in my mind to Making - creating things with the hands. Want a quick tour?

"Running and writing have a lot in common. The rhythm of feet on pavement, the tapping of fingers on keys. Both feed a need to get what’s inside out. They require commitment and focus. They teach us about ourselves. They take us to our limits and back."

With my infant daughter asleep in my arms, I listened to Mac talk about making books for children and drawing the fictional world into his early work at the writing nonprofit 826 Valencia (where classes famously take place in a room behind their Pirate Supply Store)... A good book is a secret door, Mac explained. “Kids can get there a lot more easily than adults can, and that’s why I love writing for kids. I think kids are the best audience for serious literary fiction.”

This guest post is written by yoga teacher and writer Michelle Regan: In the spring of 2014, I found myself sitting in an unremarkable hotel conference room waiting for a breakout session to begin. I was ...

For some great ‘ohana gardening tips, we turned to Heather Mohr, the Executive Director at the family-run, organic farm Keiki and Plow. Aunty Heather helped to curate tips to get the keiki started planting at home, easy veggie recipes, and some of her favorite books for keiki and adults centered around the theme: Grow!

I think it’s best I come clean. If you’re going to trust me as your guide, I owe you that much. So, I have a confession to make: I don’t believe in writer’s block. It doesn’t make sense. As if your mind h...

Welcome to another virtual story time with da Shop! Join us for a reading by author Ron Hirschi of his book Shark Patrol: A Discovery Adventure in Hawai‘i, illustrated by Tammy Yee. Mahalo, Ron!

The Chirri & Chirra picture book series is one of my faves. It’s six adorably chipper books by Japanese author/illustrator, Kaya Doi. In each book, the sisters Chirri and Chirra take their bikes on adventures - “Dring-dring!” - exploring nature or the nearby town, meeting friendly creatures, and finding delicious things to eat. And they always have a perfectly wonderful day.

A few years ago, I worked my way through The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. It’s a 12-week self-guided workshop in creativity that’s become a cult classic among artists of all stripes. By far, the exercise that I found most useful is Cameron’s morning pages. 

Welcome to another virtual story time with da Shop! Join us for a reading by author Kim Vukovich of her book Hush Little Keiki, illustrated by Mariko Merritt. Mahalo, Aunty Kim!