Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines
CELEBRATING JAPANESE FESTIVALS

By Rena Krasno, Illustrated by Toru Sugita

2001 Benjamin Franklin Award

Daruma dolls, mochi pounding, Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples . . . Japan is a land of the old and the new, a blending of traditional culture and modern life styles. The newest in a series of festival books, Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines is full of detailed and charming illustrations of seven Japanese celebrations.

Important information about arts and daily life are interspersed throughout the text: ikebana, taiko, lacquerware, bonsai, origami, haiku, traditional Japanese sports and martial arts, as well as how Japanese names are formed. There are recipes, games, and other activities. The historic text provides the background while the author's careful retelling of four folktales provide a more intimate sense of the culture. The Japanese language is explained with common, relevant phrases introduced.

The book begins with a discussion of the origins of the Japanese people and the creation myth, "Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess." The first festival presented is Setsubun (the day winter ends) followed by traditional family holidays: Obon (remembering one's ancestors), Kodomono Hi (Children's Day), Hina Matsuri (Dolls' Festival), Oshogatsu (New Year's). The Sapporo Snow Festival is a world-famous yearly event begun in 1950 and is followed by information on life in Japan today. Finally, the Cherry Blossom Festival focuses on the Japanese-American experience in the United States.

A book for children from 8 to 13, but enjoyable for all ages.

Author Rena Krasno was born and educated in China, has lived in Japan, the Philippines, Israel, and Northern California. She is the author of Strangers Always: A Jewish Family in Wartime Shanghai and Kneeling Carabao & Dancing Giants: Celebrating Filipino Festivals. E-mail Rena Krasno at rena@renakrasno.com

Illustrator Toru Sugita is a Japanese painter and printmaker whose work has been exhibited in Japan, the United States, Europe, and Latin America. Mr. Sugita lives and works in San Francisco. E-mail Toru at toppi@torusugita.net

"The reader is taken from the first settlers, to Commodore Perry's visit in 1853, to World War II, and then to traditions of modern Japan. These traditions encompass ancient history and advanced technology. . . . The book, which is informative and fun to read, would be useful in a social studies course."
----Children's Literature

"descriptions are alive and draw the reader in by activating the senses. . . The unexpected surprise of Floating Lanterns & Golden Shrines is the inclusion of a chapter on the Japanese in the United States. . . . The text is informative covering fables, legends, culture, history, games, recipes."
----Kamai Forum

"brimming with detailed and charming illustrations . . . especially recommended for ages 8 to 13, but will be found entertaining and informative by all age groups."
----Children's Bookwatch

"vibrant, highly detailed illustrations, many of them full page complement the text and the layout is attractive."
----School Library Journal

"Floating Lanterns goes beyond the festivities to offer insight into Japan's customs, beliefs, language, and folklore. The delightful, culturally authentic illustrations portray the pride of a people who celebrate their history and honor their traditions."
----Teaching Tolerance

"In addition to explaining seven traditional festivals, Krasno fills this informational book with recipes, craft ideas, folktales, examples of Japanese handwriting, games, art, culture, and history. She touches on everything from Samurai Warriors to bonsai trees, from Buddhism to Japanese-American internment camps. . . . Each festival and folktale is accompanied by a full-page watercolor illustration, and smaller pictures are presented with various subjects throughout the book. . . . Especially striking are the banners that go with each festival, written in Japanese and translated for us into English."
----Foreword Magazine

"A delightful introductory way for children as well as adults to learn about Japan. . . . The book is concisely written in easy-to-read language. Its illustrations are colorful and authentic and will appeal to both young and older readers."
----APA Perspectives (National Association for Asian and Pacific American Education)

"A colorful introduction to Japanese culture and traditions . . . With its vivid examples and explanations of familiar elements of Japanese culture such as kimonos, shoguns, haiku, and origami, Floating Lanterns is an enlightening experience--whether you&fre five or 50."
----Far East Economic Review