The Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall presents On Being Yukiko: Virtual Bedtime Story, a live reading with filmmaker and ECU alum Jeff Chiba Stearns, and artist Lillian Michiko Blakey.

Date: Thursday, February 18, 2021. 19: 00-19: 45 (Pacific Standard Time)

Location: Zoom Live Streaming

Organizer: Vancouver Japanese School and Japanese Hall

Guest readers: Jeff Chiba Stearns and Lillian Michiko Blakey

The Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall will commemorate BC Heritage Week with On Being Yukiko: Virtual Bedtime Story, a virtual reading session for children and their families. Prominent Japanese Canadian artists, Jeff Chiba Stearns and Lilian Michiko Blakey will be reading On Being Yukiko, their new graphic novel, live on Zoom.

On Being Yukiko is a graphic novel that explores themes of Japanese Canadian history and cultural identity. The story follows 12-year-old Emma as she learns about her Japanese roots when her Bachan (grandma) tells her the true-life story of her great-great-grandmother Maki, a Japanese picture bride.

Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall (VJLS-JH) is the oldest Japanese language school in Canada. Today, VJLS-JH shares Japanese Canadian language history, and culture through its language courses, childcare programs, and community programming.