The Biggest Soap

In the library system for Oklahoma City (!) I found a book about an AAPI culture I've never seen covered before in a picture-book, the smaller islands of the Pacific. Author served in Micronesia, and illustrator studied Oceania. Apparently neither are OwnVoices, but I still think this is worth mentioning, as I believe it helps fill a whole in our map (in the Children's Books group).

And besides which, it's a wonderful, funny, heartwarming story with lots of detail that I can only assume is traditionally accurate.

Before touching on the story , I must say Stacey Dressen-McQueen’s illustrated and accompanied the story beautifully. She used such rich colors only fitting for a setting such as on an island.
The book is a glimpse into the life of South Pacific islanders . Kessy is our main character and is excited to wash laundry with his family as it is tradition to tell stories.His mother sends him into town for him to buy “the biggest soap”. When on his way home he helps friends and family and then finally weaves a story so extravagant, it is fantastical. This story is very entertaining and accompanied by gorgeous illustrations and enjoyable to read.

This book tells the story of a young boy living on a sun-drenched island in the South Pacific. While his mother is doing laundry she runs out of soap and asks him to go and buy the biggest soap he can find. He then goes on an adventure saying hi and playing with his friends, brothers and uncle. When he returns to his mother he is left with only a small sliver of soap and he then tells of his crazy adventure. The other women washing their cloths are amazed and say how great of a story teller he is. I personally really enjoyed this book. It was filled with a different culture as well as diverse characters. I also feel that it was able to express the innocent nature of a child imagination and how kids can use that to be helpful to others. show more Overall I feel this would be a great book to read to a sale group of students. show less

Kessey was sent to get the biggest soap for his mama. He was in a rush and couldn't play with his brothers or talk to his dad. Once he got the biggest soap. He heard a little girl scream he helped her with the soap. Then he heard his Uncle scream and helped them. Then he came back to his brothers who were crusted over by the mud and let them use the soap. By the time he got to his mother it was small as a canary. It was enough soap to finish the laundry.