Kazumi Wilds – illustratör

**Winner of the 2017 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award ** **Winner of the 2015 Gelett Burgess Award for Best Intercultural Book** **Winner of the 2015 Silver Evergreen Medal for World Peace**This true children's story is told by a little bonsai tree, called Miyajima, that lived with the same family in the Japanese city of Hiroshima for more than 300 years before being donated to the National Arboretum in Washington DC in 1976 as a gesture of friendship between America and Japan to celebrate the American Bicentennial.From the Book:"In 1625, when Japan was a land of samurai and castles, I was a tiny pine seedling. A man called Itaro Yamaki picked me from the forest where I grew and took me home with him. For more than three hundred years, generations of the Yamaki family trimmed and pruned me into a beautiful bonsai tree. In 1945, our household survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. In 1976, I was donated to the National Arboretum in Washington D.C., where I still live today—the oldest and perhaps the wisest tree in the bonsai museum."

**2012 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award Winner!**A cultural adventure for kids, All About Japan offers a journey to a new place—and ways to bring it to life! Dive into stories, play some games from Japan, and learn some Japanese songs. Two friends, a boy from the country and a girl from the city, take us on a tour of their beloved land through their eyes. They introduce us to their homes, families, favorite places, school life, holidays and more! Celebrate the cherry blossom festivalLearn traditional Japanese songs and poemsMake easy recipes like mochi (New Year's sweet rice cakes) and okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza or pancakes)Create origami frogs, samurai helmets and more!Beyond the fun and fascinating facts, you'll also learn about the spirit that makes Japan one-of-a-kind. This engaging introduction to Japanese culture helps children explore everyday life, traditions, celebrations and creative activities through the eyes of two young guides.