Page 50 - 2022-Mag_88-4

DKG Practice/Program

Picture Books: Bringing DKG

Members Together Across

the World

By Mari Kamioka

I became a member of Alpha Chapter of DKG Japan State Organization in
March 2017. One day, when I met Dr. Fusa Nakagawa, a founder of Japan State
Organization who lives near me, she suggested I read Karen Kinney’s article
about children’s literature in the DKG Collegial Exchange. She knew I was
interested in reading books written in English and I was studying about picture
book therapy. It was the first time I had read the
Collegial Exchange, and I was really moved after
reading Karen’s article, “Children’s Literature…
It’s Not Just for Kids” (Volume 84-2, 2017).
I was so happy that I could learn Karen used
picture books to enhance DKG meetings. Fusa
advised me to send an email to Karen, and I did.

Karen’s Email to My Alpha Chapter
“An exciting adventure began for me in
May of 2018 when I received an email from
Mari,” Karen said to us in greetings shared at
an Alpha Chapter meeting in March 2019. I
was really impressed with her greetings. She
wrote about Atsuko Ando, an elementary school
Karen and Atsuko principal and a member of Alpha Chapter
meet in Austin. and about how wonderful things happened! Karen and Atsuko had met at the
international convention in Austin, Texas, shortly after receiving my email.
“I hope you have a wonderful meeting. I look forward to seeing
where this adventure will take us in the future!” Karen wrote. I
liked the expression: “adventure will take us in the future.”

Sharing Picture Books

In our correspondence, Karen recommended that I read some picture books,
and I got several. I like Mo Willems the best. I also read Karen’s great article
in the DKG Collegial Exchange (Volume 86-2, 2019). The title is “Celebrating
Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie Books.” Karen wrote, “Elephant and
Piggie are the best friends even though they have opposite personalities.”
Karen used the picture books in her workshop at an Indiana State Organization
convention. I think that it is really nice for adults to read picture books in a workshop.

48 · Volume 88-4