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Kailani's Gift
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Kailani's Gift

About the Book

A picture book celebration of family, Filipino heritage, and dance that showcases the value of patience, perseverance, and blessing others with your gifts and talents.

As Kailani watches her siblings practice a traditional Filipino dance for their grandparents' anniversary party, she longs to join them. But keeping up with the rhythm and hopping in time with the beats of the tinikling is much harder than Kailani imagined!

With Daddy's help, Kailani practices the motions of the dance step by step. But will she be able to learn the tinikling in time to surprise her Lolo and Lola?

Illustrator Lynnor Bontigao's work pairs exquisitely with Dorina Gilmore-Young's storytelling to celebrate Filipino culture and traditions. Also included is a glossary of Tagalog terms used throughout the book.
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Praise for Kailani's Gift

“Moments between Kailani and her father model a joyous bond in this low-stakes family tale rendered in Gilmore-Young’s friendly prose.”—Publishers Weekly
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Excerpt

Kailani's Gift

Only one more week until Lolo and Lola’s big anniversary party!

Kailani skipped into the garage where her sisters and brother
were rehearsing their tinikling dance for the celebration. 

With swift motions, Marisol and Maile spread two
bamboo poles wide, smacking them against the
garage floor twice. Then they clapped the poles together. 

They kept the bamboo moving in a rhythmic pattern. 

Kailani watched as Zandro and Imelda jumped between the moving
poles. They twirled with the music as their bare feet danced.

Out-out-in. Hop-hop-half spin. Hop-hop-reverse.

Out-out-in. Hop-hop-half spin. Hop-hop-reverse.

About the Author

Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young is a writer, speaker, teacher, and former journalist. As the founder of the Widow Mama Collective grief support group on Facebook, she is passionate about helping people navigate grief and discover God’s glory on life’s unexpected trails. Her previous books include the award-winning children’s book Cora Cooks Pancit, Chasing God’s Glory, Walk Run Soar, and Create in Me a Heart of Mercy.

Dorina enjoys meeting God as she runs trails through mountains or near the ocean. She and her husband, Shawn, are raising three daughters in central California. More by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
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About the Author

Lynnor Bontigao
Lynnor Bontigao grew up in Manila and is the author-illustrator of the picture book SARI-SARI SUMMERS, a nostalgic love letter to the Philippines, her homeland, and to grandmothers, and includes a bonus sweet recipe. She also illustrated one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Books of 2023, THE WORLD'S BEST CLASS PLANT by award-winning authors Liz Garton Scanlon and Audrey Vernick, as well as SEASHELL KEY, a new chapter book series by Lourdes Heuer, deemed by Parents Magazine as a 2024 Ultimate Summer Reading book. Lynnor is also the illustrator of several other picture books: AT THE END OF THE DAY by Lisl Detlefsen, KAILANI’S GIFT by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, YOU ARE REVOLUTIONARY by Cindy Wang Brandt, JACK & AGYU by Justine Villanueva, and more upcoming picture books. Lynnor loves stories with heart and humor, especially where relationships, culture, and food are intertwined. More by Lynnor Bontigao
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