Once again the Tucson Festival of Books will be held at the UA Mall, on March 10 and 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. both days.

Japanese American children’s author Jillian Tamaki will be presenting at 4 workshops. See schedule below.

“Jillian Tamaki is an illustrator and artist best known for her graphic novels “Skim,” which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated and “This One Summer,” both co-created with Mariko Tamaki. “This One Summer” was awarded a Caldecott Honor, Printz Honor and Eisner Award. Her new book is “They Say Blue.””

Jillian Tamaki

Sat. March 10 — 2:30 p.m. Ed 333 “Acts of Caring & Kindness that Celebrate the World” panel (Jillian Tamaki’s examination of wonder in a child’s life).

Sun.March 11 — 11:30 a.m. Ed 351 “Color My World” panel (Jillian Tamaki plays with the colors in a young child’s life in “They Say Blue.”)

1:15  p.m.   Reading from her new book “They Say Blue”, at Story Blanket tent

2:30 p.m. “Graphic Novels for Teens” panel at Teen & Author Stage (Join Jillian Tamaki and Jonathan Maberry as they talk about their work as an illustrator and author in the world of comics and answer questions about creating comics and graphic novels for teens.)

Junko Sakoi

TUSD Pan Asian Studies program coordinator Junko Sakoi will be presenting on:

Sat. March 10 — 2:30 p.m. Ed 310, “Missing Voices in Global Literature”, with Yoo Kyung Sung. “Global literature provides access to the world for children, but that access can be limited when voices are missing or marginalized. This session will examine the untold and unheard voices in recent historical and contemporary global books published in the U.S. and strategies for bringing these voices into children’s lives. ”

“Junko Sakoi, at the Asian Pacific American Studies Services & Refugee Services Asian Department in TUSD, has developed multicultural school curriculum and instruction collaboratively with families, students, classroom teachers, and community members.”

All info at www.tucsonfestivalorbooks.org.

More info on Sensei Yoshi Nakano at: http://www.zentribewellness.com/

Sensei Yoshi Nakano

Japanese American ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro from Honolulu, Hawaii is coming to the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Tucson on March 5.  Concert at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.  He is Gosei (5th generation Japanese American).

tickets $28 to $37: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1567090?utm_medium=ampOfficialEvent&utm_source=fbTfly

Carolyn’s note:  I recently saw Jake live at The Palace Theater in Hilo, Hawaii.  He was simply amazing and awesome — have never seen anyone play an ukulele like that before. And lucky me, before the performance he walked in from the front and said to me (a volunteer usher) “Auntie, thanks for having me again” and kissed me lightly on the check. And then walked by us through the front curtain.  We weren’t even sure that was him.  I was star struck, to say the least.  (“Auntie/Uncle” are terms of endearment & respect in the Hawaiian culture, given to elders).

Many haiku lovers/writers from Tucson won Outstanding or Honorable mentions in this year’s 2018 Haiku Expo contest, sponsored by the Arizona Matsuri committee. The statewide winners are listed with their haiku poems at this link:

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/f10fde_fd6d091494d1474586d78bd575aa99e6.pdf

List of Tucson winners below, some of whom are volunteers with our Southern Arizona Japanese Cultural coalition (SAJCC).

Jaclyn Mona, Tucson, Honorable Mention, volunteer with SAJCC,  in University/Adult category, page 62:

Jaclyn Mona

“adobe brown head

peck-peck, knock-knock-knock rhythm

happy with palm trees”

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Japanese Language winners, pages 68 to 73:

Hitomi McKnight, Tucson Japanese Language School

Hitomi McKnight

(Sensei), two Outstanding, one Honorable Mention

Hitomi’s Outstanding haiku:

“サンダルと傘でスキップにわか雨
sandaru to kasa de sukippu niwaka ame”

“桃でなく黄色の花見て望郷の春
momo denaku kiiro no hana mite bokyo no haru”

Yukihiro Ibuki, Tucson, Outstanding and Honorable Mention. Yuki is the Director of SAJCC. Below is his Outstanding winning haiku:

Yukihiro Ibuki

“冬夕焼け棒サボテンと吾の影

fuyu yuyake bo saboten to ware no kage”

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Hana McKnight,  Tucson Japanese Language School, Outstanding & Honorable Mention, 3rd grade

Azumi Uchida, Tucson Japanese Language School, Outstanding and two Honorable Mentions, 5th grade

Shinta Okabe, Tucson Japanese Language School, Outstanding & Honorable Mention, 6th grade

Shiori Okabe, Tucson Japanese Language School, three Honorable Mentions, 4th grade

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Miki Pimienta, Tucson, Honorable Mention, volunteer with SAJCC:

Miki Pimienta

“冬眠で腹ペコりすの群れ走る
tomin de hara peko risu no mure hashiru”

Congratulations to all the 2018 winners on their beautiful haiku submissions.

Yuki and Miki have won these haiku contests consistently over the past few years.

Also winners in University/Adult category:

Rosemary Bryerton-Schiff, Tucson, two Outstanding

Anthony Foggiano, Tucson, Honorable Mention