Tsunami!

Tsunami! Page created by Chris Yearley

Kajikawa, K. (2009) //Tsunami!.// New York, NY: Philomel Books.



Image taken from [|www.titlewave.com] Follett


 * __Summary__**

Ojiisan, a wise old rice farmer who lives high on the mountain ridge, watches as the villagers nearby are in danger of the great tsunami and are unaware of its danger. Selflessly he sets fire to his rice fields in hopes that the villagers will come to his aid. The villagers come up the mountain to assist Ojiisan only realizing then the danger their village was in. Their village is swallowed whole by the tsunami, Ojiisan is left poor by destroying his harvest but he saves 400 lives of the villagers of his community. A golden shrine is erected in his honor after he passes for his heroic deeds.


 * __Online Links__**

Kimiko Kajikawa []
 * Author's Site**

Ed Young []
 * Illustrator's Site**


 * Interview with Ed Young**

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__**Lesson Plans**__

Natural Disasters & Tsunami!

[|http://www.author4kids.com/lp_tsun][|ami.html]

__**Discussion Questions**__

What does it mean to be honorable in the Japanese culture? How does one live honorably? How was Ojiisan honorable?

How important is your house and your material possessions at home? If given the same situation, would you sacrifice your material possessions if you knew it would save lives? Why are material possessions not as important?

How does an earthquake underwater turn into a tsunami wave?


 * __Classroom Activity__**

Students will research current events as of 2011 for efforts, people, and organizations that are helping with the tsunami relief efforts in Japan. Students will choose one example and compare and contrast it with Ojiisan and his honorable deeds.