Our Story
Gill McBarnet is one of Hawaii's top children's books authors, and for over 40 years her stories and illustrations have captivated youngsters and young visitors to Hawai'i.
Our family business is based in Upcountry Maui, where Gill writes and illustrates all of her books from her home studio. Gill started writing and illustrating children's books after the birth of her first child, Eddie, The Whale Who Wanted to be Small in 1982. Gill draws inspiration for her stories from the people, animals and lifestyle that surrounds her in Hawai'i... particularly her children (Eddie, Will and Tara) who have been giving her ideas, since they were “tiny tots”. Now Gill finds inspiration in the next generation, her grandsons and granddaughters!
Gill has explored a variety of Hawai'i inspired themes - from a whale who wanted to be small, geckos who like to play hide and seek, turtles, mermaids, a naughty shark and more!
Many of her books have been (and continue to be!) best sellers in Hawai'i - including The Goodnight Gecko and The Brave Little Turtle.
In 2020, daughter Tara joined the family business. Both Gill and Tara have backgrounds in teaching - Gill was an elementary school teacher and Tara a 0-3 Montessori Guide. While Gill creates her rainbow of books, Tara focuses on the business development, marketing and distribution.
In December of 2025 we will be launching 2 new board books! We are so excited and hope you will love them as much as we do... Preorder: Mama Turtle's Eggs and The Rainbow Mermaids of Hawaii.
Thank you for reading about our story... we're grateful that you're here!
Warmest Aloha, Tara & Gill
follow us on Instagram: @HawaiianChildrensBooks