A Nakashima Morning

A special event, featuring the new book:

Listening to Trees: George Nakashima,
Woodworker

This family friendly event is ideal for ages 6-86.

It will feature:

• Family Haiku and Art-Making

• Conversation with

• Holly Thompson, Author and Mira Nakashima

When: Saturday, March 29

10 am-12 noon

Where: The Orangery

Bucks County Community College

From Penguin Random House's website:

About Listening to Trees

A poetic and moving picture book biography celebrating the life and work of the visionary Japanese American woodworker George Nakashima.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, George Nakashima began a love story with trees that grew throughout his remarkable life as an architect, designer and woodworker.

During World War II, George, with his wife Marion and their baby daughter, endured incarceration in Minidoka prison camp, where he drew comfort from the discipline of woodworking.

Once free, George dedicated the rest of his life to crafting elegant furniture from fallen or discarded trees, giving fresh purpose and dignity to the wood and promoting a more peaceful world. Today, his pieces are displayed in museums and greatly coveted by collectors. His studio, now helmed by his daughter Mira, is still active in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Author Holly Thompson narrates Nakashima’s life using haibun, a combination of haiku and prose, which twines smoothly through Toshiki Nakamura’s earthy illustrations. A foreword by Mira Nakashima and robust back matter will deepen young readers’ understanding of woodworking and poetry, and offer added insights to the work of a master artisan.

left: Mira Nakashima
right: author Holly Thompson