The Maui Writers Conference this weekend showcases two terrific children's book authors, Hawai'i homegrown success Bruce Hale and Newbery Award winner Linda Sue Park. Hale and Park both have new books.

Hale wrote, illustrated and self-published five top-selling "Moki the Gecko" picture books here in the Islands before his first Chet Gecko Mystery, "The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse," was published nationally by Harcourt Brace in 2000. Chet Gecko is a wisecracking fourth-grade detective from Emerson Hicky Elementary. The books are a delectable blend of Raymond Chandler and the Marx Brothers.

"I've been getting feedback on the Chet Gecko series from teachers, librarians and parents around the country," Hale told me from his Santa Barbara home — he and his wife, Janette, relocated about six years ago. "Over and over, I'm hearing that the stories get reluctant readers hooked on books. That's something I'm very proud of: helping to create the readers of tomorrow," said Hale, who self-published his first books and promoted them tirelessly, even taking a costumed gecko character into schools here.

"Chet Gecko's Detective Handbook (and Cookbook): Tips for Private Eyes and Snack Food Lovers" will be published this month. Hale's still having fun with his gumshoe gecko.

" 'Chet Gecko's Detective Handbook' was hatched in a San Francisco coffee shop, when my then-editor, Michael Stearns, and I had a tad too much caffeine and started riffing. 'Let's have Chet reveal his detective secrets!' 'Ooh, and let's add recipes!' 'And we'll print a bunch of comments in invisible ink, so kids will have to use a black light to read them,' " Hale said. "Sadly, the invisible ink idea was jettisoned, but our other brainstorms made it into the book."

The new handbook includes tips and techniques for detective work, like how to shadow people, collect evidence, and conduct searches. Fans will also find photocopy-ready documents that "every private eye needs," a license, search warrants, and forged sick-day notes from parents. There's a guide to detective lingo and recipes for distinctively Chet Gecko-ish snacks, including Tick Tacos and Sweet Potato-Bug Pie.

Hale recently signed a six-book contract with Harper Collins publishers for a new middle grade fantasy/adventure series. The 10th Chet Gecko installment, "Murder, My Tweet," was released in paperback earlier this year.

Linda Sue Park, who won the Newbery Medal for "A Single Shard" is also speaking at the Maui Writers Conference. Park's newest book, "Bee-bim Bop!" is a joyful ode to eating and cooking a traditional Korean dish. The picture book, for very young children, is written in jaunty rhyme, through which we learn the ingredients for bee-bim bop, which means "mix-mix rice." Watercolor paintings by Ho Baek Lee capture the growing anticipation and delight of a youngster cooking with Mama. A recipe for the rice, vegetable and meat dish is included with cooking instructions.

Park used to work as a journalist and food critic. Her family immigrated to America from Korea after the Korean War. She grew up in the suburbs of Chicago speaking only English and knowing little of her family's cultural and ethnic history. A few years ago, Park happened upon a retelling of Korean folk tales, and her focus on writing shifted to works for children. Park has written five novels for young readers, each capturing an element of her heritage and making her, "feel more Korean."

Young Hawai'i readers should find it easy to connect with Park's books, which are relevant to our Islands' cultural stew.

Read Park's books for a satisfying main course, and savor Hale's books for dessert.