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‘Firecracker Fiasco’ is sixth book in fun series
Colorful critters prepare for the new year in the sixth installment of Eileen Wacker’s Fujimini Adventure Series, "Rainbow Panda and the Firecracker Fiasco" ($10.99, ONCEKids).
Rainbow Panda has a secret plan to meet the Dynasty Dragon in order to bring good fortune to everyone on the island. When Rainbow Panda accidentally starts a fire while trying to light firecrackers, his plans to become a hero are foiled, and he must team up with his animal friends to extinguish the blaze.
After the danger has passed, the animals clean up for the holiday festivities and enjoy bowls of long noodles for long life and other culturally significant New Year’s treats.
As in all Wacker’s titles, the book includes a glossary that provide explanations and trivia about cultural references incorporated into her stories, such as bonsai trees, the Moon Festival and firecrackers. Tips on how the Asian items relate to characters in the stories ("The pandas are the best dim sum makers on the island") provide for kid-friendly reading.
Wacker, a Hawaii Kai resident, is halfway through her planned 12-book Fujimini Adventure Series, started in 2010 and illustrated by Alan M. Low. Other titles include "Red Penguin and the Missing Sushi," "Green Hamster and the Quest for Fun," "Silent Samurai and the Magnificent Rescue," "Pink Hamster and the Big Birthday Surprise" and "Black Tortoise and the Dynasty Dragon." The books are designed for kids in preschool through first grade.
Wacker will present story time and a coloring activity and host a meet-and-greet at Barnes & Noble, Ala Moana Center, from 11 a.m. to noon today.
Books are available at local bookstores, www.oncekids.com or www.amazon.com. E-books are $2.99 and animated apps are $5.99. The box set, which includes the first four books in the series, is available for $29.99 at Costco.
— Nancy Arcayna
Get scientific at Bishop Museum
Kid-friendly science activities will surround the Bishop Museum’s current "Xtreme BUGS" exhibit at it’s Family Sunday on the Great Lawn.
With the help of 28 organizations, including the Hawaii Nature Center and the Honolulu Zoo, kids will learn through hands-on experiences such as trying out microscopes, extracting DNA from fruit, creating an animal using DNA-type paper strips, and making a seedpod sailing canoe.
There will also be demonstrations on banding birds for research.
A native-plant scavenger hunt, board games, coloring and crafts will also be part of the day’s activities.
SCIENCE ALIVE! FAMILY SUNDAY
>> Where: Great Lawn, Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St.
>> When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 17
>> Cost: $5 residents and military; regular admission rates apply for out-of-state visitors
>> Info: 847-3511 or bishopmuseum.org
— Star-Advertiser staff
St. Patrick’s Day will be cheered at kids’ center
Listen to stories about leprechauns, create a clover collage and dance to Irish music at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
Festivities will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 17 and feature games like Pot of Gold Toss. Story time, dancing and activities with a rainbow parachute take place from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
The center is at 111 Ohe St. Museum admission is $10, $8 for kamaaina and military. Call 524-5437.
— Star-Advertiser staff
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COURTESY ONCEKIDS
COURTESY BISHOP MUSEUM