A Bowl of Peace

A True Story

Carolrhoda Books (Lerner)
(pub. 8.4.2020) 
40 pages

A True Tale with

A Cherry On Top   

A uthor: Caren Stelson

     and illustrator:  

     Akira Kusaka

 
C haracter: Sachiko Yasui

O verview: 
     

"In this deeply moving nonfiction picture book, award-winning author Caren Stelson brings Sachiko Yasui's story of surviving the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and her message of peace to a young audience. Sachiko's family home was about half a mile from where the atomic bomb fell on August 9, 1945. Her family experienced devastating loss. When they returned to the rubble where their home once stood, her father miraculously found their serving bowl fully intact. This delicate, green, leaf-shaped bowl—which once held their daily meals—now holds memories of the past and serves as a vessel of hope, peace, and new traditions for Sachiko and the surviving members of her family."

T antalizing taste:

 
     "ITADAKIMASU (EE-TAH-DAH-KEE-MAHs): traditionally spoken before eating a meal, this Japanese word means 'we humbly receive this food.

    No one knows how old Grandmother's bowl is.

    No one remembers who made it.

    No one can count how many times the bowl has passed from mother to daughter.

    But everyone knows Grandmother's bowl is  precious...

    In the evenings, Sachiko's family gathers together.

     Mother places Grandmother's bowl in the middle of the low table.

     As always, the bowl offers good things to eat - squid, eel, octopus, and udon noodles.

     Sachiko and her family press their hands together and bow their heads.

      ITADAKIMASU, they  whisper." 

And something more:

On Caren Stelson's website, she shares an excerpt from an interview that she did for Booklist magazine:“Sachiko’s greatest hope was always to give young people the strength and courage to surmount the challenges they face in their lives so they can work for peace in their communities and in the world."

 

Caren also shares: "What have I learned about stories? I believe personal stories, large and small, have the power to make a difference. Stories that find their way to our hearts can give us strength and help us to find peace in ourselves and in the world."