da Shop: A Reader's Blog

We've heard it before: Be in the moment. Be present. Just be. Even the best of us who practice yoga or already embrace some form of meditation––if we are honest––still struggle to master the art of being. In a modern society of busyness, to be still and quiet is unnatural. To do nothing feels foreign. Finding an antidote to boredom is a struggle. And, in the midst of this pandemic’s forced shutdown, having more time unexpectedly on our hands can feel ironically stressful.

One of the many things I love about da Shop is being able to chat about books with whomever may be in the store when I'm browsing. We can't do that in person right now, but fortunately da Shop has found a way to continue our  conversations around books. What follows is a rumination, more than a review. I was asked what I think of a Joy Harjo collection, and what follows is my response. I offer it in a spirit of conversation and reflection.

Erin Entrada Kelly is a New York Times bestselling author whose Middle Grade novels explore the challenges of growing up with humor, understanding, and hope. Often celebrating her own Filipino heritage, Erin’s stories champion the quiet voices, the outsiders, and give strength to sensitivity and compassion through characters navigating complex family and friendship issues. We’re excited to continue our da Shop Talk series with Middle Grade author Erin Entrada Kelly to discuss writing, reading, and her newest book, We Dream of Space.

Welcome to virtual story time with da Shop! Join us for a reading by author Christin Lozano of her book Island Toes , illustrated by Mariko Merritt, and the book Dog by Matthew Van Fleet. Mahalo, Christin!

As we near the end of National Poetry Month, we’d like to congratulate the 2020 Poetry Out Loud State Champion, Erisan Awaya! Erisan, a junior at MidPacific Institute, competed against 10 other state finalists at Tenney Theatre on March 1, 2020 and performed a final recitation of the poem “Golden Retrievals” by Mark Doty. 

Welcome to virtual story time with da Shop! Join us for a reading of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! written and illustrated by Mo Willems and read aloud by Lee Tonouchi, author, editor, and playwright. Lee gives this book his signature pidgin touch and gets a little help from his daughters!

Welcome to virtual story time with da Shop! We’re starting with the classic Strega Nona, written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola, and read aloud by Sarah DeLuca, teacher, author, family owner of da Shop. 

The Fan Brothers, Eric and Terry, have enchanted readers across the globe with their whimsical illustrations and fantastical stories. Their bestselling picture books are both customer and staff favorites, so we’re thrilled to kick off our da Shop Talk series with the extraordinarily talented Eric Fan to discuss his craft, creative influences, and memories of Hawai‘i.

Tomie dePaola recently passed, but the nurturing tones of his stories will live on for many, many generations to come. This Caldecott Medal winner entertained many of us a children and now captures the imagination of our own children with beloved classics such as “Strega Nona” (1975) and over 270 other books written and illustrated during his prolific career.

“In This Moment of Solitude, Books Can Be Our Passports” FACED WITH THE CANCELLATION OF HER BOOK TOUR, A WRITER TURNS TO BOOKS THAT EVOKE A SENSE OF PLACE — AND RECOMMENDS 8 BOOKS THAT MIGHT TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE, TOO.