News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media kits, review copies and interviews available on request.
Media Contact: Chimaine Pouteau, (808) 230-6080, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK “SENTINELS OF PEACE: CURSE OF THE RUBY RING” EXPLORES DIVERSITY, MULTI-CULTURAL ACCEPTANCE AND PEACE First Installment In Six-Part Series created by Hawaii-Based Writers Group to Benefit Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii
64 pages illustrated / 8 1/2” x 11” / Hardcover / $16.99
eBook version / $14.99

Honolulu, HI (October 1, 2012) – A Hawaii-based writers group has created a wonderful children’s book series encouraging young readers to learn about different cultures, while embracing distinct customs and spreading the message of peace.

Sentinels of Peace: Curse of the Ruby Ring, the first book in a six-part series, is the story of four young heroes who leave their families and homes in order to fulfill their destiny of helping to bring universal peace and acceptance to lands across the globe. These children are empowered with special super-human gifts and have devoted their lives to protecting six virtues: peace, strength, honesty, compassion, honor and forgiveness. Each child must go through six trials before they emerge with fully-developed powers.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Sentinels of Peace: Curse of the Ruby Ring will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii. “The Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii is so grateful for the opportunity to benefit from the release of Sentinels of Peace,” said president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, Tim Motts. "The educational and financial support that is provided to the keiki of Hawaii through this publication is vital. We are honored to be a partner in this exciting literary adventure!"

Children from age six to 11 who love to read will be challenged by the vocabulary yet mesmerized by the beautiful illustrations, characters and story development. "This book is unique and special because it offers young readers a bit of everything-- adventure, drama, laughter, stories of family and friendship, and lessons of good versus evil," says co-author Umma Berkelman. "We want to bridge the bonds between all children and celebrate the individuality and uniqueness of each person."

Berkelman, along with co-writers Jeanelle Kikawa, Julia Norton-Dennis and Chimaine Pouteau, came together to create this children’s book series. Umma is of Indian descent from Malaysia, Jeanelle is third generation Japanese-American, Julia was born in Australia and grew up in Hawaii, and Chimaine is of French descent. These friends met in Hawaii, a place where people from different ethnic backgrounds have come together for centuries to live in peace and acceptance. Inspired by their diverse cultural backgrounds, they embarked on a journey to create an illustrated children’s book with this powerful message.

Norton-Dennis has worked in the news business for decades and found this project refreshing. "Stabbings, shootings, robberies, fatal crashes, political leaders arrested for breaking the law… it’s all in a day’s work as a news reporter. Yes even in paradise, things run amuck!" said Norton-Dennis. "But after more than a quarter century of reporting the news, I needed some kind of escape from all the madness and thought if I could just work for the "Happy News Channel," I’d be set. But something just as good came along. A friend approached me and two others and said, ‘how would you like to write a children's book?' There was my escape. Children play and have fun all day long. I would love to write a children’s book! They could go on all kinds of adventures and can always be home in time for dinner. But what clinched the deal for me was the character of the women with whom I was writing. They each have gifts - not magical powers like the characters in our stories, but true life strengths that I admire so much. And, together, we inspire each other. Living in a fantasy world a few hours a week with these ladies is great therapy - and, maybe even entertaining for a few children who read these books."

Co-author Jeanelle Kikawa grew up on Oahu and says interacting with diverse cultures and ethnicities daily is what makes Hawaii so special. "Being able to experience that, I've embraced and recognized each individual's uniqueness and differences. Joining the Sentinels of Peace was a great example of this and how four friends, all from different backgrounds and countries, were able to collaborate and come together as one for a common cause."

"Growing up in New York, I was exposed to nearly every type of race there is in the world and my parents taught me tolerance," said Pouteau. "We are four women of distinct backgrounds that have bonded together. We want our young readers to know that people of different races and social upbringings can be connected through friendship and work toward a common goal."

Join us for the private launch of Sentinels of Peace: Curse of the Ruby Ring, Saturday, October 27th, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Oceanic VIP Music Hall. Please RSVP by Oct 25th at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Limited to the first 40 people. Books will be available for sale.

Sentinels of Peace: Curse of the Ruby Ring (ISBN# 978-0-9858809-0-3) is available for purchase by visiting www.sentinelsofpeace.com. Cost is $16.99 each, plus shipping. For more information about how to purchase the book or details on the release of Book II, Sentinels of Peace: Battle of Eau, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.sentinelsofpeace.com.

About the Authors
Ekadanta International Group LLC is a Hawaii-based writers group made up of four individuals; Umma Kayvalyam Berkelman, Julia Norton-Dennis, Jeanelle Kikawa and Chimaine Pouteau. All from distinct cultural backgrounds and social upbringings, these women have created a children’s book series that celebrates these differences and teaches children that by working together they can spread the message of peace.