Ohana Means Family was an engaging and heartwarming audiobook that beautifully captured the spirit of family, connection, and Hawaiian culture. Narrated with warmth and emotion, the story followed characters navigating challenges and celebrating the bonds that defined "ohana". While the plot could be predictable at times, the audiobook’s focused on love, loyalty, and personal growth that made it a comforting and enjoyable. It was an ideal choice and was an uplifting and inspiring story with a cultural twist.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to listen to this audiobook.

I've never listened to an audiobook that wasn't just a voice or voices reading the words of the book. This one had sounds of nature that matched what the reader said aloud. Sounds of the waves, of people, etc. I'm not sure my toddler would be able to pay attention to an audiobook, but this one is like watching a movie without being able to see it. It's short, but fun, and the extra sounds in the background help to tie the imagery together and make it real for little ones.

My daughter and I are going to try this out for her first audiobook!

This is one of the cutest children books that I’ve had the pleasure to read/listen to recently! I am mixed Japanese from the PNW where I have always found a large number of Pacific Islander friends & family. I have been adopted by aunties, uncles, cousins. The culture is amazing and I love seeing some representation.

*I received this book as an ARC for my honest review.

Ohana Means Family is a beautiful book for children and adults alike. The story is beautiful and poetic. I wish I was able to see the photos, as I am sure they are equally stunning. I cannot wait to add this to my children's book collection. The further explanation that is focused on education is an added bonus.

The narration is easy to listen to and calming. The music accompanying the narration is also easy and not distracting to the narration.

I received an electronic ARC of this book. All opinions are 100% my own.

A heartfelt tribute to Hawaiian culture written in flowing text that builds and connects everything that goes into a family gathering. The narration is smooth and captivating.

A beautiful tribute to Hawaiian land, culture and people. Your family will love this poetic story in a style much like “the House that Jack Built”. We follow and celebrate the culture of the Hawiann people in this beautifully told story. The story is about the family as they get ready to celebrate the traditional luau from farming the taro for poi to finishing for the luau. I love this story. With beautiful pictures to show their culture and wonderful traditions. The narrator did such an amazing job with helping us to feel like part of the story and to feel the richness of the culture. This is a great story for all families to share. It would also be a wonderful story to share and listen to in a classroom. It has become a new family favorite. Your family will love this one for sure.

The audiobook was beautifully read. The author made careful word choices that were very impactful. Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it.

I am not Hawaiian or local to Hawai’i, but I’ve spent many years there and respect the culture. I think this audiobook is an excellent collection to other Pacific Islander authors and just authors in general! From the cover and art style, to the almost verse style of the story, it’s amazing. The rhyming and building on each cultural icon is so beautiful, plus I love the variety in ages in the book. For example:

“These are the hands so wise and old
that reach through the water clear and cold
into the mud
to pick the taro
to make the poi for our ohana”

I can’t wait to read this to my family and suggest it to my friends!

Such a cute listen!!!!! Perfect for young kids!! I will for sure reccommend this to everyone that I know that already has kids or I know plans on having them.

This is a review for the Cd only part of the children's book "Ohana Means Family" by Ilima Loomis. I enjoyed listening to this childrens book. I think any Hawaiian children, as well as any children with an interest in Hawaiian culture, might like it.

"This is the poi for our Ohana's luau," is the start of this children's story using the pattern from "The House that Jack Built" story. "This is the X that does something to Y for our Ohana's luau." The parts focus on the grandmother and natural elements like the river, the sun, the rain, and the land.

The taro plant, kalo, is honored as the older brother to the first Hawaiian.

The sound effects really enhance the audio of the story with the water sounds, pounding of the taro, and Hawaiian singing. Even without pictures (which the book does have, I just didn't have access to them), one does get a good idea about this story and the creation of the poi for the luau .

Loi Leinani Whitney is the narrator of the book audio. She speaks clearly.

The second audio file gives information about poi, including the legend, how it is made, and a glossary of related Hawaiian words. This part is told by Hokuao Pellegrino. There is an author's note read by the author, Ilima Loomis.

Mahalo to Netgalley, Spotlight Audio, Live Oak Media, and Ilima Loomis for providing this audio in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute story. I loved that the audiobook included sounds of what was happing in the story. It helped to set an image in my mind while I listened. I know I have an educator account, but I chose this story because of my Hawaaian ancestry, not as something I would use in class.

I especially liked the historical connection after the story that helped to set the base for the story.

Oh Ana Means Family is a great book to use as an introduction for children about Hawaiian food, culture, and language.

This listen is amazing! I made sure to invite my 5 year old and 3 year old to enjoy with me, and it was a winner! They loved the sound effects and when listening, you feel like you are present in the story, feeling the Hawaiian warm air on your skin.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy.

This lyrical audiobook leaves adults and children alike, feeling relaxed and thankful for family, nature, and celebrations, big and small. The text is written in a format that repeats and builds on its self with a bit of rhyming and beautiful imagery. The audiobook narrator and sound design are fantastic, because they not only told the story through their words, but the tone, music, and sounds really create an experience for readers. This book also is a great way to learn a bit about Hawaiian culture. Readers learn about Hawaiian cultural values such as the importance of the land and family, as well as some terms through the glossary in the back of the book. Prior to reading this book I had not known about poi, the food being prepared for the luau. It was wonderful to learn the legend behind poi, and in turn, the origin story of Hawaiian people. I would suggest listening to the audiobook while looking at the text and illustrations for the most full experience.

(Thank you to the publisher for a ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for a honest review.)

Thanks for the review edition.

Very sweet children's audio book. I enjoyed listening to this with my daughter!

What a stunning book. I've never listened to a children's book before, and while I found myself wanting to see the illustrations that would accompany the words, the sound production and narration more than made up for the absence. If anything, I just want to go read it again and listen to it at the same time. Please, please, go pick this up. It's beautiful.

This is a cumulative rhyme book, done in the style of "Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain." This children's book focuses on a luau and moves further back to focus on the land. It was a book that can give kids a look at a luau and a glimpse of that land and culture.

I listened to the audiobook version of Ohana Means Family. I loved the music & sound effects that play throughout the story. My children enjoyed this book as well. They were able to learn about Hawaiian culture & now want to visit Hawaii.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, & publisher for the ARC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook. Just by the cover, I can tell the story would be great to listen to while look at the illustrations in the story. Great to learn Hawaiian culture.

I received a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review from netGalley.

A sweet story that tells of a family gathering in Hawaii. There were no pictures with this audiobook so I don't know how they go but the music made up for that fact.