Richmond News:

  

Story about Tomsett students visiting childhood home of Joy Kogawa


Joy Kogawa accompanies Tomsett
Elementary School children's visit to her childhood home, after the
teacher and students contacted her.  They had read the book
Naomi's Road, and seen the Vancouver Opera touring production of
Naomi's Road.  Principal Sabine Harper and teacher Joan Young were
thrilled when Joy returned their letter inquiry, and an offer to visit
the house was extended. – photo courtesy of Joan Young.

I just found this Richmond News on-line story about Joy Kogawa with
the Tomsett Elementary School children visit which took place on
February 21st.  On February 25th, I met teacher Joan Young as she
joined the Save Kogawa House committee for a dinner social meeting. She
sent me pictures and a letter describing the visit. 
Joy is presently in Toronto for the Emily Kato book launch at Trinity
Church – pictures and description from Save Kogawa House Toronto
coordinator, Anton Wagner, to come soon.  He did send me as
message today that it went well, and that he would send pictures soon.

Richmond News reporter Eve Edmonds writes

Students join campaign to save Kogawa house

By Eve Edmonds

What began as a history
lesson about the internment of Japanese Canadians has morphed into a
political campaign for a group of Grade 3/4 students at Tomsett
elementary.

The students will meet
face to face with Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan tomorrow to appeal to
him to save the childhood home of author Joy Kogawa.

“This is a wonderfully
real educational experience,” says Tomsett principal Sabrina Harpe.
“It's an opportunity for public speaking, letter writing and field
trips.”

Kogawa wrote Naomi's Road,
an autobiographical novel about a child who was interned with her
family in the Slocan Valley during the Second World War.

The students read the book
and saw the children's opera version of the story when the Vancouver
Symphony Orchestra toured through a number of Richmond schools.

For full story click on http://www.richmond-news.com/issues06/025106/news/025106nn2.html