Bøger af Kristin Zambucka

This pictorial biography is a colorful account of the life and times of the controversial Princess Ruth (1826-1883), one of the last chiefesses of old Hawai'i. Ruth never left the islands throughout her life-Hawai'i was her world-and stubbornly, she clung to the old Hawaiian ways, ignoring the missionaries and their growing influence. When the lava flow of 1881 threatened the town of Hilo, the High Chiefess was credited with stopping the fiery molten rock in its tracks by interceding with Pele, the goddess of volcanoes.

In this pictorial biography, over 180 old photographs, anecdotes written by personages of the day, letters, and newspaper accounts paint a glowing picture of the colorful reign of Hawai'i's last king. David Kalākaua ruled the Hawaiian Islands from 1874 until 1891 at a crucial time in Hawai'i's history when the Islands were undergoing great changes. There was an alarming influx of foreigners who brought with them other cultures and unknown diseases. King Kalākaua saw that the only way to preserve his fast diminishing people was to lead them back to their old traditions. Thus he set about reviving the ancient chants and hula and the Hale Naua (The School of Wisdom). Under the king's patronage there was an enormous resurgence of Hawaiian culture. But his enemies in the missionary party were relentless in prying this innovative king from his throne. The strain of withstanding their attacks took its toll on Kalākaua. After reigning over his island kingdom for seventeen years, he went to San Francisco to alleviate his failing health in late 1890. He died there, at the Palace Hotel, in January, 1891.

In Frog Knights (book one of the lavishly illustrated Kingdom of Frogavia series - book two, Frogavia!Frogavia!, is also available from Trafford Publishing) frogs are depicted as characters in their own world - the big pond known as The Kingdom Of Frogavia. The true king is unseated from his ancient throne and banished to a far, distant pond by the evil, ambitious Dax Frogditch who has gathered a huge army with promises of ''a better life ...''.The years of Frogditch''s bullying ways and tyrannical rule stretch on and the Frogavian people grow increasingly restless and unhappy. Finally, a group of brave young rebels rise up and go in search of their true king. They eventually find him and he dubs them all ''knights'' in gratitude for their loyalty. The king then shows them how to weave reeds and grasses into costumes, so they are dressed as knights. After driving Frogditch out of Frogavia, Sir Robert Ribbet, Sir Fergus Leapingfrog, Sir Morton Muddybottom, Sir Frederick Hopper, Sir Barry Bluepond and the other knights escort King Francis, Queen Fiona and their two daughters Princess Flora and Princess Fay back to Frogavia. The knights dive deep into Castle Pond to retrieve the King''s ancient throne. It lies in pieces on the muddy bottom where Frogditch dumped it long ago along with the King''s treasure: magical holed stones that give protection from evil. Many Frogavian families were poor and destitute under Frogditch''s heartless rule. Robin Froghood and his friend, Littlefrog raid Frogditch''s own well-stocked kitchen and take food to give to the poor. When the King hears about their good work he bestows knighthoods on them too. In Frogditch''s time, no flowers bloomed in Frogavia. The lily pads were shrivelled and brown, the pond waters were murky and it became a dark, gloomy place. But, now even as the Knights escort the King and his family back to Castle Frogrock, the beautiful waterlilies burst into blossom on the azure blue waters of Castle Pond. Other flowers join in and bloom all over the rocky castle in colorful abundance. As in the days of old, the Good King invites every one of his subjects to his many celebrations and happy frog songs echo once again across Castle Pond.Buy a t-shirt and other great Frogavia gear at www.cafepress.com/frogavia and www.frogavia.spreadshirt.com.