Punky Aloha

Shar Tuiasoa is a Polynesian artist from the island of O’ahu, in the town of Kailua, Hawai’i, where she was born and raised. She is the author-illustrator of Punky Aloha. After studying Fine Art at her local community college, Shar headed to California where she earned her BFA in illustration from Laguna College of Art and Design. When she is not in the ocean, enjoying the vibrant culture of her home, Shar spends her time imagining and creating for her illustration business, Punky Aloha Studio.Shar Tuiasoa is a Polynesian artist from the island of O’ahu, in the town of Kailua, Hawai’i, where she was born and raised. She is the author-illustrator of Punky Aloha. After studying Fine Art at her local community college, Shar headed to California where she earned her BFA in illustration from Laguna College of Art and Design. When she is not in the ocean, enjoying the vibrant culture of her home, Shar spends her time imagining and creating for her illustration business, Punky Aloha Studio.

A bold palette of verdant greens and rich teals set against warm golds and browns easily evokes the island setting, while curvy, exaggerated figures and simple, linear compositions give the digital art an airy effortlessness. With her messy topknot, flip-flops, and skateboard, bespectacled Punky is an utterly charming protagonist, and her narration moves effectively from early anxiousness to confident triumph. Break out a pair of oversized shades to give some added oomph to some readers’ theatre or an island-themed storytime. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s BooksThis is a tender, happy story that will make a delightful read-aloud. — Booklist[Illustrations] lush in greens, blues, oranges, and yellows summon the island’s warmth, giving an airy ease to a sweet intergenerational story of interacting with one’s community—and gaining a “heart full of courage.” — Publishers Weekly