This picture book tells the story of cousins coming together in Hawaii. The cousin from California is learning the language and misunderstands the word Mahalo, seen on all of the garbage cans. The cousins try to explain that mahalo means thank you, which is why it is on all of the garbage cans, and that saying mahalo does not mean you are calling someone "trash". The book is fairly long, with quite a bit of text per page, but also gives a lot of great information about the culture in Hawaii. At the beginning of the book is a dictionary with phonetics to help readers with the non-English words spread throughout the book. The illustrations are interesting and colourful. I think this would be a great book for children who are going to visit Hawaii or anyone who wants to learn more about the culture. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

I love the concept behind the conflict, a bilingual family with a young child that confuses the meaning of a Hawaiian word in English, and its use in public spaces. The artwork and text were not always coinciding and it made the story hard to follow for my kids, but overall, it has a great lesson to teach.

I love the sentiment of this book, particularly the way it grounds the concept of Mahalo in the word's Hawaiian etymology and traditions. My extended family lives in the islands, and I too have been to Waikiki and heard tourists say "put it in the mahalo" when discussing their trash, so I can see the genuine need for this.

That said the execution leaves something to be desired. The text seems more appropriate for a slightly older set of children, but the illustrations trend towards toddlers to pre-school age. The text also gets somewhat repetitive, and could perhaps use a little editing, particularly in the middle with the argument between cousins feeling a little bloated when it could be either resolved faster, or shown rather than told how AJ got that impression.

That said, I enjoyed this and feel its intent is clear and hope it is well received.

Thank you NetGalley and Perks Publishing, LLC for accepting my request to read and review Mahal Does Not Mean Trash.

Author: Paki Perkins, Hiwalani Perkins, Puniaikeao Perkins & Alapaki Perkins
Published: 11/22/22
Genre: Children's Fiction

The illustrations are vibrant and scream notice me. I could not put my finger on exactly what drew me to them; however, they did every page.

The story was too long for me. I actually read it in three sittings. One of the kids was really whiney and one didn't express himself well, and the adults ignored both. Perhaps that is a form of parenting that I don't appreciate. I may be sensitive, as I just finished a book where elders teach and grandparents are respected (possibly all Native American?).

Neither child expressed themselves well. Neither child was willing to seek the other to talk out their differences. Eventually the grandparents do step in. This book references language barriers, whether they be slang or foreign. I could relate to the differences with "trash.". Do you drink soda? pop? cold drinks? or The Cokes?

There is a need for this book. Gift to babysitters, new parents, old parents, grandparents and caregivers.