Last November, Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in 38 years, sending rivers of molten lava down its side and drawing crowds of spectators hoping to see the volcano in person. In this explosively comical story illustrated above, readers will “lava” out loud, with the roller coaster of emotions this sensitive volcano faces. The eruption strikes the curiosity of a local news reporter, who discovers how the world’s biggest volcano also has the biggest emotional heart. Mauna Loa sees itself not as a destroyer but rather as a creator. At one point during the eruption, the reporter shows fear for what’s to come as things are “getting heated.” In the ensuing scene, a supporting crab character sees Mauna Loa’s uncontrollable outbursts, yet notices the perspective of the misunderstood volcano. Knowingly, the crab finds the positive through this natural disaster and is appreciative of the land that will soon be added with the lava’s flow. Illustrated by Kennedy Wardlaw.