Listening to Trees George Nakashima, Woodworker

A poetic and moving picture book biography celebrating the life and work of the visionary Japanese-American woodworking artist George Nakashima.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, George Nakashima began a love story with trees that threaded throughout his remarkable life. During World War II, George, his wife Marion, and their baby daughter endured internment in Minidoka prison camp; yet even in so bleak a place, George learned from other artisans and kept his passion alive. Once free, he dedicated the rest of his life to crafting furniture from fallen wood, giving fresh purpose and dignity to each tree, and promoting a more peaceful world.

Author Holly Thompson narrates Nakashima’s life using Haibun poetry, a combination of haiku and prose, which threads breezily through Toshiki Nakamura’s earthy, airy illustrations. A dedication by Nakashima’s daughter Mira and robust backmatter bring added insight to what will be many young readers’ first exposure to an artist worth celebrating, as well as more general education about both woodworking and poetry.

Holly Thompson is the author of two picture books in verse: Twilight Chant, an NCTE Notable Poetry Book, and One Wave at a Time, a story about grief and healing. Her picture book The Wakame Gatherers was an NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People and featured in NCT Asia programs. A graduate of the NYU Creative Writing Program, she writes poetry, fiction and nonfiction for children, teens and adults, and teaches creative writing in Japan, the U.S., and places in between.
 

Toshiki Nakamura is an animator and children’s book illustrator. Born and raised in Japan, he moved to San Francisco right after earning a B.A. in politics. He graduated from Academy of Art University, where he studied concept art and visual development. He lives in Kanagawa, Japan.