In 1990, self-published author Gill McBarnet released “The Goodnight Gecko,” a story about a young gecko who learns to overcome fear and embrace his imagination. Inspired by her son, Will, it remains a classic and more than 250,000 copies have been sold.
In 1990, self-published author Gill McBarnet released “The Goodnight Gecko,” a story about a young gecko who learns to overcome fear and embrace his imagination. Inspired by her son, Will, it remains a classic and more than 250,000 copies have been sold.
McBarnet will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the book during November with a limited run of 10,000 copies featuring an embellished version of the original cover with a special edition stamp on it. She will also host an ukulele-accompanied story time Dec. 5 at Barnes & Noble at Ala Moana Center on Oahu.
McBarnet’s journey into the world of creating Hawaiian-themed children’s books didn’t begin out of the blue. Before moving to Maui with her husband, she was a teacher and magazine writer in Zimbabwe. She released her first book, “The Whale Who Wanted To Be Small,” in 1984. Over the past three decades, she has published 13 books that have sold a total of one million copies.
Her stories have also been transferred from page to stage. A theatrical adaptation of “Goodnight Gecko” ran 2004 to 2006 at Palace Theater.
For more information, visit www.hawaiianchildrensbooks.com.