You have a lot on your plate. So it’s easy to understand why some things (an end-of-the-year teacher’s gift, ahem) fall off the radar.

But the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami shouldn’t be forgotten — especially now that the story is no longer part of the nightly news cycle.

Which is why we love Peko Peko: Family-Friendly Japanese Recipes, a cookbook put together by a group of food bloggers, writers, and photogs in support of the country’s recovery.

Created with the home chef in mind, the tome teems with Japanese and Japanese-inspired family meals. If edamame is as close to Tokyo as your cooking usually gets, there’s a glossary to familiarize you with common ingredients. Don’t have mirin in your pantry? Substitution suggestions and tips help you get worldly in no time.

Best part: $11.45 of each sale goes to the GlobalGiving Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Fund. The rest covers printing costs. Nobody besides the families in need will see a dime.

And that’s worth going back for seconds.

Available online at blurb.com, $30.

We found six more ways to shop and give back to Japan.

PARTY
Bookmarks’s Third Birthday Celebration
What: The library marks its anniversary with an appearance by best-selling author Steven Kellogg, a magic show, and music courtesy of Spaghetti Eddie and David Chicken.
Why: Janie Bynum stops by with her book, Noah’s Magic Shoes. Pick up a copy or two; proceeds benefit Genesis Women’s Shelter.
When: Sat., 10:30 a.m.
Where: Bookmarks at NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expwy., ste. 1514 (214-671-1381). Admission is free.

WADE
Family Fun Nights
What: Go for a dip and do themed activities.
Why: Buy one admission and get one of lesser or equal value free.
When: Thru Aug. 19. Fri., 5-8 p.m.
Where: Water Works Park, 2400 Long Rd., Denton (940-349-8810). Adults, $11-$13; children, $7-$13; under 2, free.

STACK
Legoland Discovery Center
What: Hop on rides, primp at the princess parlor, and watch 4-D movies at the sprawling 35,000-square-foot space devoted to the little block.
Why: Let imaginations run wild at the Build & Test Zone.
When: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Grapevine Mills Mall, 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy., Grapevine (972-539-9386). Tickets online at legolanddiscoverycenter.com or at the door. Adults and teens, $12-$19; children 2-12, $12-$15; under 2, free.

Photo: Marc Matsumoto / Courtesy of Peko Peko