Locally produced children’s book at Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo highlights marmosets

A new, locally produced children’s book is on the shelves at the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens Gift Shop.

“A Monkey’s Tale: Maria’s Seven Rainforest Marmosets” was written by Sarah Marie Riley, illustrated by Keali‘imakamana‘onalani Po‘oloa, and printed by Petroglyph Press in Hilo.

The book is the result of a collaboration between the Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, Friends of the Pana‘ewa Zoo, also known as FOZ, and the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, according to a Hawai‘i County news release. Proceeds from the book sales will go to FOZ, a nonprofit that supports the zoo.

“We really appreciate this partnership, which has brought this story to life with a local flair,” said Mindy Runnells, Zoo Administrator. “This children’s book is fun and educational and can give keiki an appreciation for these unique animals while also sharing an important conservation message.”

The story follows Maria as she teaches Mike about marmosets, which are sometimes known as “pocket monkeys” due to their small size. Though the story is not set at the zoo, some of the illustrations feature scenes that will be recognizable to zoo visitors.

The project to produce the book began when Sierra Club of Hawai‘i approached Runnells with a draft of a children’s book that Riley, a Sierra Club member who passed away, had left with them. Sierra Club, FOZ and Runnells worked together to fine-tune the story, have it illustrated by a local artist, and printed with a local company, with the Sierra Club funding the initial production.

The book also includes a section written by Runnells that shares information about marmosets and tamarins and conservation efforts that can help protect them from the threat of habitat loss.

The Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens has two marmosets among the nearly 300 animals that live there.