"Naomi's Tree" Book Launch

Thursday May 8th 2008, 7:00 p.m.
"Naomi's Tree" Book Launch, followed by a signing and reception The Japan
Foundation, Toronto Event Hall, www.jftor.org, 131 Bloor Street West, 2nd
Floor, Colonnade Building

Free - ***Refreshments Will Be Provided***

Naomi's Tree is the story of a Japanese family whose lives in Canada are
uprooted by the events of World War II. Based on the story of Naomi and
Stephen in Naomi's Road, Naomi's Tree is the story of an important time in
Canada's history, a time that should never be forgotten. It's also about
enduring love, with its almost mystical ability to soothe the spirit.

Come celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Japan-Canada Relations with one of
our most famous Japanese-Canadians, Joy Kogawa.

Joy Kogawa was born in Vancouver in 1935. Like Naomi, Joy and her family
were sent to internment camps in Slocan, British Columbia, and later to
Coaldale, Alberta during the Second World War. She eventually moved to
Toronto, Ontario, where she lives today. Joy has received numerous honourary
doctorates as well as national and international writing awards. In 1986,
Joy was named a member of the Order of Canada.

Ruth Ohi is the illustrator of over forty books for children. Her
presentations and workshops make her a favorite for school and library
visits. She has illustrated No Monster's Here, Into My Mother's Arms, and
The Bye-Bye Pie which won the Blue Spruce Award. Ruth also lives in Toronto
with her husband and kids.