Hawaiʻi State
Public Library System

Posted on: August 28, 2026 | Category: Spotlight

For these staff picks, we reached out to our library teams across the state to find out which books they love to turn to when they need a little boost. Our list is as diverse as our staff—from heartfelt stories and hilarious picture books to inspiring memoirs of people overcoming incredible odds. We hope you’ll find something here that brightens your day! 

Kids’ Picture Books

	Sleepy Sheepy By Lucy Roth Cummins Bouncy rhyme with a cute irony — he’s not sleepy at all
	10 Dogs by Emily Gravett Sausage-stealing slapstick chaos with ten silly dogs
	The World and Everything in It by Kevin Henkes Quiet, wide-eyed appreciation of everyday wonder
	Something’s Wrong!: A Bear, a Hare, and Some Underwear By Jory John Underwear mishap turned accidental fashion trend
	Hope in a Jar By Deborah Marcero Bittersweet rebuilding-hope-after-loss story
	The Helping Sweater by Rachel Más Davidson Small-kindness magic, heartwarming
	Bathe the Cat By Alice B. McGinty Household chores spiral into full farce
	Love the World By Todd Parr Bright, simple, joyful affirmations
	Little Blue Truck Leads the Way By Alice Schertle Humble hero saves the day
	The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka Fourth-wall-breaking fairy tale parody
	Your Name is a Song By Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow Empowering, musical celebration of names and identity
	I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy By Mychal Threets Joyful “everyone belongs at the library” warmth

Kids’ Chapter Books

	Peter & the Starcatchers by Dave Barry Swashbuckling, funny prequel adventure
	Donutella Hamachi and the Library Avengers By Kim Chi Donut-themed superhero silliness
	Matilda By Roald Dahl Clever kid outsmarts a monstrous villain — dark comic triumph
	Misfit Mansion By Key Davault Whimsical monster found-family, belonging
	The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread By Kate DiCamillo Charming, whimsical fairy-tale adventure
	A True Home: Heartwood Hotel By Kallie George Cozy woodland hospitality and safety
	The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom By Christopher Healy Fairy-tale parody, bumbling “Prince Charmings” team up
	The Phantom Tollbooth By Norton Juster Witty wordplay fantasy, curiosity cure for boredom
	A Wrinkle in Time By Madeleine L’Engle Courage-and-family sci-fi, more serious/inspiring
	Sideways Stories from Wayside School By Louis Sachar Absurdist, episodic school comedy
	Pea, Bee, & Jay Stuck Together by Brian “Smitty” Smith Odd-trio comic-strip style comedy
	The Mysterious Benedict Society By Trenton Lee Stewart Clever puzzle-solving kid squad, witty

Young Adult Books

	The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams Classic quest with warmth and gentle humor throughout
	The Princess Diaries By Meg Cabot Breezy, funny teen-royalty diary
	Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch Neil Gaiman Apocalyptic buddy comedy, witty banter
	Redwall By Brian Jacques Epic animal-kingdom adventure, some humor
	The Mall By Megan McCafferty Nostalgic, light ’90s coming-of-age
	The Lost Souls of Benzaiten By Kelly Murashige Quirky healing story (turns into a robot vacuum!)
	Dumplin’ By Julie Murphy Witty, warm, and quietly fierce
	The Savior’s Book Café Story in Another World By Omiya Cozy isekai manga — “comfort, not combat”
	The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett Witty fantasy adventure with rowdy pixies
	Fangirl By Rainbow Rowell Cozy coming-of-age about fandom and family
	Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe By Benjamin Alire Sáenz Tender identity/friendship story
	Medalist By Tsurumaikada Determined underdog figure-skater manga

Adult Books

	Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes By Travis Baldree Cozy fantasy — orc retires to open a coffee shop
	Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things that Happened By Allie Brosh Comedic illustrated essays, candid about depression
	A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail By Bill Bryson Classic laugh-out-loud comedic travel writing
	The Comfort Book by Matt Haig Aphoristic hope and encouragement, bite-sized
	We’ll Prescribe You a Cat By Syou Ishida Whimsical healing stories from a Kyoto “cat clinic”
	The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson Absurd, farcical caper adventure
	The Kamogawa Food Detectives By Hisashi Kashiwai Comforting foodie mystery, nostalgic meals
	The House in the Cerulean Sea By TJ Klune Cozy fantasy, found family, gentle humor
	The Far Side By Gary Larson Surreal single-panel comic collection
	Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver by Mary Oliver Contemplative nature poetry
	The Best of Me By David Sedaris Sharp-witted comedic essay collection
	Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor Witty time-travel adventure series opener