A Timeless Collection of Marshallese Legends and Stories!

Marshall Islands Legends and Stories, collected and edited by Daniel A. Kelin II, includes 50 legends and stories recorded from storytellers throughout the Marshall Islands. A compelling introduction to a little-known culture, these legends and stories (most never before published) reflect the storytellers, islands and cultures they come from, preserving the lively style and uniqueness of an oral narrative.

This animated collection includes something for everyone: origin stories, tales of mejenkwaad and other demons, tricksters, disobedient children, wronged husbands, foolish suitors, and reunited families—all relaying the importance of traditional Marshallese values and customs. Marshall Islands Legends and Stories is more than a collection of folk stories. It is a gathering of tales that reflect the adventure of visiting those tiny islands and listening to stories by lantern light with the sound of the ocean in the background and people scattered about, half listening, half imagining the culture and islands as they once were. The legends and stories in this book continue the style and uniqueness of the oral narrative, while making sure they are accessible and understood through the printed page. Profiles of the storytellers, a glossary, and a pronunciation guide enrich the collection. Marshall Island Legends and Stories is an easy-to-read and pleasurable book for both young adults and teachers alike.

Daniel A. Kelin II is the Director of Drama Education with the Honolulu Theatre for Youth. He also serves as a Summer Drama Director with Jodrikdrik Nan Jodrikdrik Ilo Ejmour, a Marshall Islands youth organization. Well known for his work with Pacific Island students, Dan has taught in Vanuatu, the Marshall Islands and Samoa, as well as developed specialty programs for Pacific Island English as Second Language Learners throughout Hawaii. He toured China as an actor with the University of Hawaii's Beijing Opera Company, and has had numerous plays he both wrote and directed tour the islands of Hawaii, the Marshall Islands and Guam. His writings have appeared in magazines and periodicals as diverse as Hawaii Review, Tinfish, Storytelling, The Eclectic Literary Forum, Marvels and Tales, Parabola, The Kamehameha Journal of Education, Spider, Hopscotch for Girls and Highlights Magazine for Children. Under a Rockefeller Foundation grant Dan developed a play for Hawaii Theatre for Youth based on the songs, dance and folk stories of the Marshall Islands. The American Alliance for Theatre and Education awarded him the 1995 Youth Theatre Director of the Year and in 2002 he was honored with the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Barbara Karlin Grant. Daniel A. Kelin II, an award-winning educator, director, actor, storyteller, and playwright, is the Director of Drama Education with the Honolulu Theatre for Youth. In his work with the youth group Jodrikdrik Nan Jodrikdrik Ilo Ejmour in the Marshall Islands, he uses dramatizations of Marshallese folklore to explore social issues.

Nashton T. Nashon, of Majuro, Marshall Islands, consulted elders and researched traditional Marshallese history and culture to create the drawings and tattoo design for Marshall Islands Legends and Stories.

Paperback, ISBN: 1-57306-140-9, 2003, 272 pages, 7” x 10”, $14.95

Hardcover, ISBN: 1-57306-141-7, 2003, 272 pages, 7” x 10”, $22.95

Marshall Island Legends and Stories will be available at all local book outlets in April 2003. For review copies, please contact Bess Press at 734-7159 ext. 21 or info@besspress.com.