‘Target Free Family Saturday’ Sets ‘Book’ Theme in July

Hon wo yomimashou! Let’s Read Some Books! In exploring the wonderful world of Asian American and Japanese American books, the Japanese American National American Museum will present a free public program, part of its Target Free Family Saturdays series, with the theme of "Books Galore," on Saturday, July 11.The fun-filled family day, generously sponsored by Target, will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum, 369 East First Street, Los Angeles.

"Our Target Free Family Saturdays series is a fantastic opportunity for families to visit the Museum and enjoy a day of theme-filled activities," said Koji Steven Sakai, the public programs manager at the National Museum. "Admission is free that day, so we hope that folks come and learn about Asian American and Japanese American history through our exhibits and event."

The event includes a special reading of Under the Cherry Blossom Tree, a tour of the ongoing exhibition, a hands-on kids cooking workshop and a reading and book signing by author Nathaniel Lachenmeyer.

In Under the Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale, author and illustrator Allen Say retells the story of the sakura (cherry blossom tree) "with wit and vitality." The Museum’s very own master storyteller, Rodney Kageyama, will present a special reading of this book at 12 p.m.

At 1 p.m. the Museum’s knowledgeable core of volunteer docents will lead tours on the ongoing exhibit, Common Ground: Heart of a Community. The exhibit, which incorporates hundreds of objects, documents and photographs collected by the Museum, chronicles 130 years of Japanese American history. Among the notable artifacts on display is the World War II Heart Mountain barracks, an original structure saved and preserved from the government-run concentration camp in Wyoming, in which Japanese Americans were unlawfully incarcerated.

To celebrate summer fun, food, families and more, a hands-on cooking class with Lisa Elaina Fontanesi, from the kids cooking program "Kidding Around The Kitchen," will be presented from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to make a homemade maple granola fruit parfait. As a mother of two children and a part-time actress, Fontanesi wrote her "Kidding Around the Kitchen" cookbook to provide fun and delicious recipes for the whole family. For more information on "Kidding Around the Kitchen" go to: www.kiddingaroundthekitchen.com/.

Continuing with the theme, "Books Galore," at 2 p.m., award-winning author Nathaniel Lachenmeyer will read and sign his book, The Origami Master. A Junior Library Guild Selection, The Origami Master tells the story of Shima, who lives on a mountain in Japan. Through origami, he learns a surprising lesson about friendship. In addition to the reading and book signing, the book will also be available at the Museum store and at, http://janmstore.com/151109.html.

The Target Free Family Saturday program series at the Japanese American National Museum is free and open to the public. Generously sponsored by Target, these free events are held on the second Saturday every month and are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together. For more information, call the Japanese American National Museum at (213) 625-0414, or go to www.janm.org.