Dokushyo 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 our 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.
FEATURED AUTHORS: George Takei, Chris Aihara, Lisa Aihara, J.P. Takahashi, Nadine Sachiko Hsu, Sunny Seki, Benson Shum, Gwen Muranaka, and Katie Yamasaki.
This program is generously supported by the Port of Long Beach.
Dokushyo 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 our 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.
FEATURED AUTHORS: George Takei, Chris Aihara, Lisa Aihara, J.P. Takahashi, Nadine Sachiko Hsu, Sunny Seki, Benson Shum, Gwen Muranaka, and Katie Yamasaki.
This program is generously supported by the Port of Long Beach.
Activities
Discover Nikkei Activity Table
Discover Nikkei is JANM’s community-based website exploring Nikkei family stories, culture, and more from around the world! Many of the authors featured at the book festival have been featured on the site. Participate in a creative activity exploring family and foods!
Children’s Book Library
Take some time between readings to check out some other books in our children’s book library!
スケジュール
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Know Our History
George Takei and a special recording with Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson.
Book signing to follow readings and discussion.
My Lost Freedom by George Takei
My Lost Freedom looks back at George's own memories of incarceration in the Rohwer and Tule Lake 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.
Shell Song by Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson
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 AM - 12:45 PM
Tell Our Family Stories
Readings with Katie Yamasaki, J.P. Takahashi, Lisa Aihara, and Chris Aihara
Book signing to follow readings and discussion.
Mural Island by Katie Yamasaki
Mural Island introduces young readers to Kenji, an artist who discovers a place to express themself and the joy of an art community.
Waiting for Hanami by J.P. Takahashi
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 by Chris Aihara with illustrations by Lisa Aihara
Grandpa Stogie’s Gigantic Goldfish 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 PM - 2:30 PM
Celebrating Our Community
Readings with Nadine Sachiko Hsu and Benson Shum.
Book signing to follow readings and discussion.
Sachiko and the Bully by Nadine Sachiko Hsu
In Sachiko and the Bully, 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.
Anzu the Great Listener by Benson Shum
Anzu the Great Listener takes the lessons that a young kaiju learns from tending to tend to his bonsai and uses them to help others.
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Art and Storytelling
Presentation and activities with Sunny and Judy Seki, and Gwen Muranaka.
Book signing to follow readings and discussion.
Hokusai's Daughter: A Young Artist in Old Japan By Sunny Seki
Hokusai's Daughter 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 Gwen Muranaka and Eric Hayashi
Coloring by Heart 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.
Related Articles on Discover Nikkei
Show and Tell: Sharing the Shells of Her Family Story (2025)
Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson shares the tale of her grandfather, simultaneously raising much-needed awareness toward one side of the complicated Japanese American experience during World War II.
Gwen Muranaka’s Drawing by Heart (2023)
Gwen Muranaka shares about her visual storytelling that draws inspiration from her own life and presents themes of identity, culture, and cross-cultural living that will resonate with readers of all ages.
An Interview with Katie Yamasaki on Her New “Book Shapes, Lines, and Light” (2022)
Katie Yamasaki’s children’s book Shapes, Lines, and Light, shares the touching story of her grandfather’s life and work.