A CHILDREN'S BOOK
- Written by Loriene Honda, Ph.D.
- Artwork by acclaimed artist Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani
- Foreword by actor and activist George Takei
- Published by Martin Pearl Publishing, 2014
- Honored with the "California Reads Official Selection" Award, 2015-2016
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Cat Who Chose to Dream shares the story of a cat’s choice to be incarcerated at a World War II prison camp as a gesture of loving support to the Japanese American family to whom he belongs. We witness through the cat’s eyes the devastating conditions of the camp, as well as the sense of injustice he feels seeing his family go through this demoralizing experience. Young readers also share in the cat’s triumph over feelings of hopelessness and anger, as they witness the cat’s use of breathing and visualization exercises that help transport his creative mind to a place in his heart where he no longer feels encumbered and restrained, but instead self-empowered and free. Through the beautiful artwork of Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani and the inclusion of therapeutic relation and visualization techniques, Psychologist Loriene Honda demonstrates how the imaginative mind can prove to be one’s most powerful too in surpassing adversity.
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
Artist Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani was born in Sacramento, California in 1920 and raised in Hiroshima, Japan. He began making art when he was only 6 years old, and studied with renowned artist Gyokudo Kawai and Busa Kimura. During WWII (1941–1945), his art career was forcibly interrupted and he was incarcerated at the Tule Lake Segregation Center in Northern California for nearly four years. After the war, he made his way to New York City to resume his career in art. In 2001, filmmaker Linda Hattendorf found him living homeless on a street corner in Soho. Her award-winning documentary, “The Cats of Mirikitani,” (2006) brought attention to his story and his art.
REVIEWS
Critical Reviews
School Reviews
MEDIA
Capitol Public Radio Interview with Beth Ruyak, April 3, 2014
RESOURCES
Psychological Discussion Guide
Relaxation Tools for Young Readers Guide
Common Core Standards Lesson Plan
Symbol of Self Activity Sheet
Symbol Matching Activity Sheet
Safe Place Activity Sheet
Pre-teens to Adults Activity Sheet