Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A virtual program to celebrate the launch of Caldecott Medal winner Allen Say’s newest book, “Miss Irwin,” that tells the story of memory and family. After a reading of “Miss Irwin,” Allen Say was joined in conversation around the resonant themes of this book and the process of painting and creating this story by Lori Benton, Vice President and Publisher for Scholastic Trade Publishing and Say’s long-time friend and collaborator, and Ken Geist, Vice President Publisher at Large at Scholastic and editor of “Miss Irwin.”
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As a young woman, Miss Irwin was a kindergarten teacher who loved introducing the world of discovery to her students. As a grandmother, she often reflects on her wonderful days exploring with her students. When her grandson asks her about a mysterious box on the shelf, she gets lost in memory and her mind transports her back in time to when she was Miss Irwin. At first her grandson is confused, but remembers his grandmother’s forgetfulness and plays along as the student who made the bird’s nest inside the white box.
Allen Say’s breathtaking artwork and emotionally powerful and thoughtful text gently weave a touching story about memory and family. Together, the grandmother and grandson rejoice in the meaning and beauty of memory before all is lost. Miss Irwin helps readers of all ages better understand and interact with loved ones who are experiencing memory loss.
Available at the JANM Store: janmstore.com/collections/allen-say/products/miss-irwin
This program was presented as part of the JANM Book Club series that highlight new publications by Japanese Americans or related to Japanese American history and culture.
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Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM’s members and donors. Become a member (janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs and exhibitions like these: janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org
Stay connected with us!
Follow JANM on Instagram: instagram.com/jamuseum
Follow JANM on Twitter: twitter.com/jamuseum
Follow JANM on Facebook: facebook.com/jamuseum
Follow JANM on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jamuseum
A virtual program to celebrate the launch of Caldecott Medal winner Allen Say’s newest book, “Miss Irwin,” that tells the story of memory and family. After a reading of “Miss Irwin,” Allen Say was joined in conversation around the resonant themes of this book and the process of painting and creating this story by Lori Benton, Vice President and Publisher for Scholastic Trade Publishing and Say’s long-time friend and collaborator, and Ken Geist, Vice President Publisher at Large at Scholastic and editor of “Miss Irwin.”
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As a young woman, Miss Irwin was a kindergarten teacher who loved introducing the world of discovery to her students. As a grandmother, she often reflects on her wonderful days exploring with her students. When her grandson asks her about a mysterious box on the shelf, she gets lost in memory and her mind transports her back in time to when she was Miss Irwin. At first her grandson is confused, but remembers his grandmother’s forgetfulness and plays along as the student who made the bird’s nest inside the white box.
Allen Say’s breathtaking artwork and emotionally powerful and thoughtful text gently weave a touching story about memory and family. Together, the grandmother and grandson rejoice in the meaning and beauty of memory before all is lost. Miss Irwin helps readers of all ages better understand and interact with loved ones who are experiencing memory loss.
Available at the JANM Store: janmstore.com/collections/allen-say/products/miss-irwin
This program was presented as part of the JANM Book Club series that highlight new publications by Japanese Americans or related to Japanese American history and culture.
---
Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANM’s members and donors. Become a member (janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs and exhibitions like these: janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
janm.org
Stay connected with us!
Follow JANM on Instagram: instagram.com/jamuseum
Follow JANM on Twitter: twitter.com/jamuseum
Follow JANM on Facebook: facebook.com/jamuseum
Follow JANM on TikTok: tiktok.com/@jamuseum
![Storytime with JANM: The Tale of Issun-boshi [English-Spanish-Japanese]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rqG7zcTLe0s/mqdefault.jpg "Storytime with JANM: The Tale of Issun-boshi [English-Spanish-Japanese]
Join us for a multilingual storytime in English, Spanish, and Japanese! In this traditional Japanese folktale, although Issun-boshi is only one-inch tall, his bravery and wit take him on adventures both big and small! Presented as part of the 2021 Oshogatsu Virtual Family Festival.
¡Vamanos a una hora de cuentos multilingüe en inglés, español y japonés! En este cuento tradicional japonés, aunque Issun-boshi es una pulgada de alto, su valor e inteligencia lo llevan a aventuras grandes y pequeñas. Presentado como parte del Festival de la Familia Virtual Oshogatsu 2021.
英語、スペイン語、日本語で、日本の昔話「一寸法師」のストーリータイムを開催！ 身長たった３センチほどしかなくとも、勇気と知恵にあふれた一寸法師は大小さまざまな冒険に出掛けていきます。
English/inglés/英語: 00:01
Spanish/español/スペイン語: 05:17
Japanese/japonés/日本語で: 9:52
Original Illustrations by Nina Nakao
*** QUESTION OF THE DAY ***
Tweet at us @jamuseum or email publicprograms@janm.org with your favorite story to read or listen to!
2021 Oshogatsu Virtual Family Festival
January 3–8, 2021
Join JANM for a week of virtual, kid-friendly activities to celebrate the New Year! From interactive, offline festivities for all ages to multi-lingual story times and play performances, welcome the Year of the Ox with JANM.
http://janm.org/oshogatsufest2021
#JANMOshogatsu #YearoftheOx
Programs like this are made possible by the generous support of JANMs members and donors. Become a member (http://janm.org/membership) or consider making a tax-deductible gift so that we can continue to present more programs like these: http://janm.org/donatenow. Your support makes a difference. Thank you!
Japanese American National Museum
100 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
http://janm.org")
