We are traveling the world in Around the World Family Dinner Book Club and our next stop is the Japan.
All of the ideas to plan your menu, make table decoration crafts, have great conversations about the book and complete a family service project can be found below. We have thought of everything you could need to make your dinner a success! Grab a copy of the book and join in on the fun.
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Are you new to Family Dinner Book Club? Here is a little background…
Family Dinner Book Club is a monthly book club for your family.
- On the first of each month, we provide all the details for your dinner.
- Sarah from Chef Sarah Elizabeth shares a themed menu to compliment the book.
- Laura from Sunny Day Family shares easy table crafts.
- And, I will share conversation starters and a service project for your family.
We invite you to share a picture from your dinner with us anytime during the month on our Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page. Plus, you will want to follow along there for more bonus ideas to use with the books each month.
Now, on to all of the details!
Japan: The Peace Tree From Hiroshima
Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
The Book
The Peace Tree From Hiroshima: The Little Bonsai with a Big Story by Sandra Moore is a true story of how a little old tree traveled from Hiroshima to Washington DC as a sign of peace and friendship between Japan and the United States.
More Books
If you are looking for more books to read about Japan, check out these books.
[easyazon_link identifier=”4805311878″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Yuko-Chan and the Daruma Doll[/easyazon_link] by Seki is written in both English and Japanese about a young girl who saves her village.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0547237553″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Hachiko[/easyazon_link] by Pamela Turner is the story of a loyal dog to his owner.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0823420515″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Beckoning Cat[/easyazon_link]by Koko Nishizuka is a Japanese folktale.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0807578223″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]The Way We Do It In Japan[/easyazon_link] byGeneva Cobb Iijima is a look at day to day life of living in Japan.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0618494847″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]I Live in Tokyo[/easyazon_link] by Mari Takabayashi is a month by month look at holidays and celebrations in this city.
[easyazon_link identifier=”1442441771″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Take Me Out to the Yaku[/easyazon_link] byAaron Meshon compares American and Japanese baseball.
[easyazon_link identifier=”0804847304″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Adventures in Asian Art[/easyazon_link] by Sue DiCicco for exploring the art of Japan and surrounding countries.
[easyazon_link identifier=”4805312017″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]My First Book of Japanese Words[/easyazon_link] by Michelle Haney Brown is fun for learning a little Japanese.
For more yummy recipes, check out [easyazon_link identifier=”0804847231″ locale=”US” tag=”groboobyboo-20″]Farm to Table Asian Secrets- Vegan & Vegetarian Full-Flavored Recipes for Every Season[/easyazon_link].
Topics
Here are six conversation starters to get your dinner book club rolling. Just click on the link below for a one-page file that you can print and then cut apart. Use the cards on your chosen dinner night. You, of course, don’t have to use all of them or you may even have some other discussion points that developed while you were reading. These are just meant to be a guide. Enjoy your dinner conversation!
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE SET OF CONVERSATION STARTERS
Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from the perspective of the Bonsai tree?
What does it mean to be a “tree of peace?”
Look at a map and see how far Japan is from the United States.
How do you think Masaru felt seeing Miyajima at the National Arboretum?
Are America and Japan still friends today?
Name three facts about Bonsai. Refer to the author’s note in the back of the book.
Family Service Project
This month is all about peace and that begins with each individual. Practice being peaceful in your own family. Set aside time each week to be still and quiet.
Then, towards the end of the month brainstorm ideas on how your family could spread peace. This is your family service project challenge!
Menu Ideas
Enjoy this menu for your meal. Recipes are linked!
Steamed rice
Sushi
Support a local business and pick up some sushi rolls
Green tea
Table Decorations
Then, check out the tie-in table craft at Sunny Day Family.—>click here for the table craft
We hope you are inspired to hold your own Family Dinner Book Club with your family. Remember that we want to see pictures of your dinner. Please share them on our special Family Dinner Book Club Facebook page.
See all the books being featured this year and join us all year long.—>Around the World Family Dinner Book Club Line-Up
And, join us again next month for another Family Dinner Book Club when we will travel to India and read Sona and the Wedding Game by Kashmira Sheth .