Waa’aka: The Bird Who Fell in Love with the Sun
Published in 2020 by Heyday Books
“Waa’aka’ was born when the earth was soft and the waters were new. It was the beginning of time.” So begins Cindi Alvitre’s vivid and multifaceted telling of a traditional Tongva creation story from Southern California. Waa’aka’ follows the title character, a beautiful bird who falls in love with Tamet, the sun, and tries to follow him up to the sky. It includes vibrant animal and plant illustrations that honor the rich ecology of Southern California and it’s coastal islands. The book touches deftly on themes like the unintended consequences of greed and the importance of working together.
Awarded Excellence in a Picture Book of Cultural Significance by Children’s Literature Council of Southern California
Below, you can watch my watercolor painting demo as I answer questions about the book and its development ~