I’m so excited to share that my new picture book from Random House Children's Books, MY LOST FREEDOM is officially here! It’s a true story about growing up in Japanese American incarceration camps during World War II.
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I looked back at my own memories to help children today understand what it feels like to be treated as an enemy by your own country. This is a story of my family’s courage and the importance of staying true to yourself in the face of injustice.
The fact that we still have people today who defend this shit shows how America has never really been against fascism, because we’ll always frame it as patriotism.
I worked with 2 Japanese Canadians (different firms) who were interned in the same camp as kids. They remembered each other clearly. One, Alan, had painted all the kids' lunchboxes. Each one unique, providing every kid a sense of individual identity. 2 of the loveliest people I have ever met.
The people who defend this action are pretty much saying that, even if you come to this country and become a citizen, you're still Second Class because you're rights can be revoked on a whim. The victims lost their homes and businesses, which were sold for a profit, not returned.
Hey George, remember that asshole Roanoke, Virginia mayor you wrecked, David Bowers? He is coming back to haunt us again, this time as a mask off republican. Please smite him, my dark lord.
My grandmother (white conservative Republican) lived in California at that time. I remember her saying that they took the local grocer and his family to a camp saying that "they were just as American as we were."
I just listened to your touching interview on Brian Lehrer.
Did you know that there:s a statue of a woman (Mioko) who survived those horrible camps, located at the northern tip of Roosevelt Island (in NYC), part of The Girl Puzzle, by Amanda Matthews?
More details at https://www.thegirlpuzzle.com/concept
The camps are a national disgrace. America can't apologize enough, and also can't thank all of you enough for making America so much better despite what America did to you.
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What unique strenghts do you think picture books have to tell a story of this kind?
Did you know that there:s a statue of a woman (Mioko) who survived those horrible camps, located at the northern tip of Roosevelt Island (in NYC), part of The Girl Puzzle, by Amanda Matthews?
More details at https://www.thegirlpuzzle.com/concept
I think Gregg Abbot and Ron DeSantis are going to ban your book they don’t want to teach the history of America
It is important that this history is available in a form that young readers have access too.
I have great respect for you.