Faces, rhymes bring isles’ roads, waves to life

“Things That Go on Water in Hawaii” and “Things That Go on Wheels in Hawaii” ($7.95, BeachHouse Publishing) are two new board books to help toddlers learn about island life. Both are authored by Jane Gillespie and illustrated by Kat Uno.

In “Wheels” young readers find an array of vehicles from firetrucks and school buses to a moving van and cement mixer. In “Water” there are canoes, surfboards, fishing boats, submarines and rafts.

Familiar local sights, including Aloha Tower, Pearl Harbor, TheBus, lifeguard stands and the Pali tunnels, set the scene for the books, which are sure to be a hit with fans of Disney’s “Cars” movies, as the vehicles all sport friendly faces.

Written in rhyme, the books will hold a young child’s attention. And Uno’s illustrations are vibrant, fun and engaging with the cars and boats featured as colorful characters.