Leonard Marcus in Tokyo and Kamakura

Children's book historian, author and critic Leonard Marcus was in Japan for an event with the International Library of Children's Literature in Ueno, Tokyo, and coinciding with the publication of the Japanese edition of Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom. SCBWI Tokyo was fortunate to schedule a presentation with Leonard on November 28, and afterward I was lucky to tag along as Leonard was taken to some Kamakura sites by Editorial Director Akiko Beppu of Kaisei-sha, the Japanese publisher of Dear Genius; author/illustrator Naomi Kojima who translated Dear Genius; and translator/critic Kari Haijima. It was a day spent immersed in book talk strolling about town amid peak foliage with breaks for tea and sweets and a home-cooked crab dinner--perfect!
Leonard approaching Sasuke Inari Shrine

Leonard at Sasuke Inari Shrine Hachiman Shrine with just a stump of the Hiding Tree; the ancient gingko that was toppled in a March storm
Naomi Kojima, Akiko Beppu, Kari Haijima, Leonard Marcus and me at Hachiman Shrine