“Pono: The Garden Guardian,” by Dani Hickman (Island Heritage, $13.95), teaches youngsters to do the right thing and make thoughtful decisions. The lessons in the book are designed to encourage children to respect themselves, others and their surroundings.

Pono, a menehune, joins his friends as they make mischief by hiding garden tools and knocking down flower pots while residents are asleep. One night, when Pono is trapped in a bush, he sees an elderly neighbor fall down as a result of their antics, and feels bad. Pono decides to stop playing pranks on the human giants and instead begins tending to their yards. Fortunately his friends follow his lead.

Hickman lives in Waipio Gentry with her husband, four children and three dogs. Colorful illustrations are by Kristi Petosa-Sigel of Kailua.