I Am a Bon Dancer
By Brandi-Ann Uyemura
Illustrators
Illustrated by Amy Matsushita-Beal
Edition
By Brandi-Ann Uyemura
Hardcover edition
Publisher Holiday House Imprint Holiday House ISBN9780823452200
I Am a Bon Dancer
20
SKU
9780823452200J
A Japanese-American girl at the Obon festival is too shy to dance—until her encouraging grandfather reminds her what's being celebrated.
I thread each arm through my peach sleeves.
Grandpa Jo ties the bright yellow sash around me.
I check to make sure the paper flowers in my hair are on just right.
I am ready for my first Bon dance festival!
It’s a young Japanese-American girl’s first time at the “Festival of Souls,” one of the largest Buddhist festivals. It’s just like her grandfather described: the smell of corndogs, the glow of hanging paper lanterns, the beat of taiko drums. But Grandpa Jo didn’t tell her that everyone else already knew how to dance!
Suddenly, the lanterns feel like spotlights. She wish, wish, wishes she could dance, but she can’t bring herself to try… until Grandpa Jo encourages her to remember the meaning of the Obon Festival—celebrating our family members who have passed on—and to imagine her beloved Grandma Nat dancing along with her. Because she is there, and behind her are her parents, sugar-cane cutters, and behind them are their parents, who came to Hawai’I on ships from Japan…
My body moves to the rhythm of the music.
I am a bon dancer, one in a line of dancing ancestors.
I thread each arm through my peach sleeves.
Grandpa Jo ties the bright yellow sash around me.
I check to make sure the paper flowers in my hair are on just right.
I am ready for my first Bon dance festival!
It’s a young Japanese-American girl’s first time at the “Festival of Souls,” one of the largest Buddhist festivals. It’s just like her grandfather described: the smell of corndogs, the glow of hanging paper lanterns, the beat of taiko drums. But Grandpa Jo didn’t tell her that everyone else already knew how to dance!
Suddenly, the lanterns feel like spotlights. She wish, wish, wishes she could dance, but she can’t bring herself to try… until Grandpa Jo encourages her to remember the meaning of the Obon Festival—celebrating our family members who have passed on—and to imagine her beloved Grandma Nat dancing along with her. Because she is there, and behind her are her parents, sugar-cane cutters, and behind them are their parents, who came to Hawai’I on ships from Japan…
My body moves to the rhythm of the music.
I am a bon dancer, one in a line of dancing ancestors.
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PreK Standard MARC Records Cover Art |
Global Citizenship (Grades K-2)
Global Citizenship (Grades K-2)
Global Citizenship (Grades K-2)
For Grades K-2
Authentic fiction and nonfiction titles that help young readers learn about the world around them. This category explores different cultures, religions, and celebrations, while also introducing topics that encourage empathy, and global and community awareness.
12 books per Year
$240.00 per Year
Interests
Fiction, Nonfiction, Culture & Traditions, Community, Picture Books, Discussion Starters, Multicultural
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