Breaking Barriers: The Power of Children’s Books

A Talk With Picture Book Authors Rie Muranaka and Eriko Ishikawa

If you are interested in Japanese, picture books, childhood education, or even psychology, you do not want to miss this talk!

Wednesday September 18  | 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm EDT | In Person @ North York Central Library (Toronto Public Library), Room 1 | Japanese + English Interpretation

Registration Deadline: Sunday September 15, 2024

Join author Rie Muranaka (村中李衣) and illustrator Eriko Ishikawa (石川えりこ) as they introduce the concept of “barrier-free” picture books through their award winning book “Kokun” (Nodding). Chosen as Outstanding for the IBBY Collection for Young People with Disabilities, this story explores a girl with a disability asserting her independence but also learning to accept help when it’s needed. Based on their work in Japan, the authors will describe how they have used picture books to spark discussion about visible and invisible barriers and in therapeutic settings.

The talk will be in Japanese with an English translator. There will be a Q&A afterwards.

Venue: Room 1 at North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M2N 5N9.

Google Map

Register at the bottom of this page or click here to jump there.

About the Speakers

Rie Muranaka 村中李衣

Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Children’s literature author and visiting professor at Yamaguchi Gakugei University.

She conducted research on reading therapy at Keio University, looking at the possibility of communication through picture books with children in pediatric wards. Since then, she has been creating and reading picture books with people from 0 to 100 years old in various places such as children’s hospital wards, nursing homes, geriatric health care facilities, and prisons. She received the 1st Japan Picture Book Research Award.

Major works include award-winning ”おねいちゃん” (My Older Sister), and “女性受刑者とわが子をつなぐ絵本の読みあい” (Picture Book Reading Connecting Female Inmates and Their Children).

Eriko Ishikawa 石川えりこ

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. After working as a designer, became an illustrator and picture book author.

She is one of the initiators of The Chikyu Passport (Earth Passport) project, where picture book writers from different countries convey through their artwork their wish for children of the Earth to freely spread their wings.

Major works include “ほんやねこ” (The Bookstore Cat), “カイトWherever the Wind Blows” (Kite – Wherever the Wind Blows), “ボタ山であそんだころ” (When We Played on “Bota” Mountain), and “しぶがき　ほしがき　あまいかき” (Bitter Persimmon, Dried Persimmon, Sweet Persimmon), which won numerous accolades and awards internationally.

About “Kokun”

Their book “こくん” Kokun (Nodding) (Story by Rie Muranaka, Art by Eriko Ishikawa. Published by Doshinsha) received the JBBY (Japanese Board on Books for Young People) Award, Barrier Free Books Division, and was selected for IBBY’s (International Board on Books for Young People) Selection of Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities.

Introduction (translated from publisher’s website): When I came to my beloved Tsubasa Nursery after being discharged from the hospital, Shun came running to me. When he saw the walker, he said, “I’ll help you,” but I told him firmly, “I don’t need it.” It’s hard for me to move my body the way I want to. But with a walker, I can walk with everyone. One day, I saw Shun trying, and I wanted to climb the slide too. I nodded deeply. It’ll be fine. I’m sure I can do it…
This is the story of two people taking a new step forward.

For those interested, the book is available for free at North York Public Library and the Japan Foundation, Toronto’s library.

Target audience: All adults welcome, particularly those interested in Japanese language, Japanese literature, children’s books, reading, therapy, psychology, or childhood education

Quota: 60 attendees maximum

For inquiries: Please contact the Japanese Language Team at koza_jftoronto@jpf.go.jp.

Toronto Public Library Listing: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDMEVT514091&R=EVT514091

Registration

Note: This event is held at North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M2N 5N9.

Registration is now closed. Thank you for your interest.