May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada and Asian Pacific American Month in the U.S. In Japan, May is the month of Golden Week — a string of holidays at the beginning of the month that often results in a week off for some workers. One of the Golden Week holidays is Children’s Day which is on May 5. In Canada, our family usually celebrates the occasion by flying the koinobori carp flags and having a wiener roast for the boys on our street (if it’s warm enough!).
This year with us being in Japan and not having access to a flagpole, ironically means we have to celebrate a little differently. Being in Japan, however, has allowed us to see the koinobori flown in various locations where we live. We spotted farm fields and rice paddies with koinoboris flying from bamboo poles out of the train window last weekend and it was quite a colorful sight.
In the city of Nishinomiya, where we live, Children’s Day is celebrated with koinobori flown over the Shukugawa River. The custom is seemingly new. In 1995 after the great Kobe earthquake, a city in Shizuoka sent 500 koinobori to Nishinomiya to encourage the city’s children during their time of crisis. Since then, the flags have been flown over the Shukugawa River every Children’s Day. Some have become old and worn during that time, so citizens have donated flags so that the number is up to nearly 2000 flags. This year, Nishinomiya has sent 100 flags to a city in Iwate-ken in the same spirit of generosity and sympathy shown to them by the city in Shizuoka — a beautiful and symbolic gesture to encourage the children of northern Japan.
Dia del Niño / Dia del Libro
Children's Day/Book Day
When:
Saturday April 25 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Where:
East Harlem Cafe
1651 Lexington Ave (@ 104th St.)
El Barrio, NY 10029
Volunteers needed for this event to help with kids' activity table. Email [email protected].
FREE EVENT! BRING THE KIDS!
"'Dia del Niño/Dia de Libro' emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Its goals are to honor children, languages and cultures; to encourage reading and literacy; and to promote library collections and programs that reflect our plurality. This local party promotes reading and bilingualism to children of all backgrounds."
Children's authors Lissette Norman and Annette Perez will be reading and signing books. There will be face painting and craft for kids. Don't miss your chance to have your kids meet these authors. Children love to meet real-life authors and asks for autographs.
About Lissette Norman: Lissette Norman is an award-winning poet with many published credits to her name. She lives in New York City. My Feet Are Laughing is her first children's book.
Book's blurb: Sadie likes living in her grandmother’s brownstone, where she has her own bedroom and a backyard to play in. She’s full of thoughts and has lots to say about her family and friends, her home, her hair, and her laughing feet that can’t keep still. And when she grows up she plans on being a poet.
This collection of sixteen exuberant poems in the voice of a young Dominican American girl and energetic, bright paintings celebrates Sadie’s family and the city around her.
About Annette Perez: Annette Perez was born in New York City to a family of Puerto Rican origin. Annette was diagnosed with hydrocephalus as an infant. Growing up with this disability was not easy. Her childhood was filled with constant challenges, including learning how to tie her shoelaces one-handed. However, she considers herself among the lucky ones since she can function and live a normal life. Annette graduated from Borough of Manhattan Community College (City University of New York) with an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish from York College. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education (obviously, her brain did not float away!) She lives in Queens, New York. This is her first book, lovingly dedicated to her parents.
Book's blurb: Annie, an eight-year-old girl, gathers the courage to ask her mother, "Why is one of my hands smaller than the other? Why do I fall so much?" What follows is a story of fears, will, self discovery, and finally, triumph. Annette Perez narrates her true story of growing up with hydrocephalus with humor, honesty, and compassion, and proves with this story that even the simplest act can change one's life forever.