The Nikkei Children’s Book Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept.20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum’s Democracy Center, 100 N. Central Ave. in Little Tokyo.
Dokusho no aki means “fall is for reading,” expressing the sentiment that the cozy and short days of autumn are the best time to pick up a book. Jump into the reading season with JANM’s Nikkei Children’s Book Festival and celebrate the breadth and diversity of children’s literature across the Japanese American community.
The festival will be full of author storytimes for kids, Q&As for adults, activities for all ages, and a special pop-up bookstore from the JANM Store.
Admission: $10 general, free for youth (under 18) and JANM members.
This program is generously supported by the Port of Long Beach.
Schedule
10:15-11 a.m.: Know Our History
George Takei and a special recording with Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson. Book-signing to follow readings and discussion.
“My Lost Freedom” looks back at Takei’s own memories of incarceration in the Rohwer, Ark. and Tule Lake, Calif. concentration camps during World War II to help today’s children understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country and the lengths parents go to keep their families safe.
Fujimoto’Johnson’s “Shell Song” is a moving picture book about Japanese American incarceration in Hawai‘i during World War II and a tribute to the importance of finding and collecting pieces of hope in the darkest of times.
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Tell Our Family Stories
Readings with Katie Yamasaki, J.P. Takahashi, Lisa Aihara, and Chris Aihara. Book-signing to follow readings and discussion.
Yamasaki’s “Mural Island” introduces young readers to Kenji, an artist who discovers a place to express themself and the joy of an art community.
Takahashi’s “Waiting for Hanami” celebrates the merging of cultural traditions that perfectly reflects cousins Sai and Avi’s Japanese American and African American extended family.
“Grandpa Stogie’s Gigantic Goldfish,” written by Chris Aihara and illustrated by Lisa Aihara, tells the story of a Nisei grandfather and his gigantic goldfish through his granddaughter’s eyes, sharing his cultural values and experiences with her.
1:15-2:30 p.m.: Celebrating Our Community
Readings with Nadine Sachiko Hsu and Benson Shum. Book-signing to follow readings and discussion.
In Hsu’s “Sachiko and the Bully,” by young Sachiko faces a bully at the racetrack and quickly realizes the importance of the golden rule and friendship, and shows readers how to handle a bully with kindness. It is the second book in the “Sachiko Goes Racing” series.
Shum’s “Anzu the Great Listener” takes the lessons that a young kaiju learns from tending to his bonsai and uses them to help others.
2:30-3 p.m.: Art and Storytelling
Presentation and activities with Sunny and Judy Seki, and Gwen Muranaka. Book-signing to follow readings and discussion.
Sunny Seki’s “Hokusai’s Daughter: A Young Artist in Old Japan” celebrates the power of grit and artistic expression and introduces young readers to a trailblazing figure who, like her famous father, left a lasting impression in the world of art.
“Coloring by Heart: An Activity and Coloring Book Inspired by the Japanese American Culture and Community” by Muranaka and Eric Hayashi encourages readers of all ages to learn different ways to be creative. From coloring to word searches, each activity offers a window into Japanese American culture.
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