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Nissan Reveals Winners of Children’s Literature Competition

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The 34th Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix Competition, which is spearheaded by the International Institute for Children’s Literature, Osaka, has officially come to a close as the automaker has revealed the winning entries.

The grand price for picture book was awarded to Wadaai of Fukuoka Prefecture for “Koguma no Aarii to Akai-Boushi” (A Bear Cub Named Early and the Red Hat).

“In ‘Koguma no Aarii to Akai-Boushi,’ a bear cub finds a red hat, and he and his father endeavor to return the hat to its owner. The judges cited the beauty of the book’s elaborate pictures,” according to Nissan.

The grand prize for storybook was given to Tomoko Shoji of Hyogo Prefecture for “Buu Buu Mama” (Oink Oink Mama).

“’Buu Buu Mama’ is about a boy and his mother, who has been transformed into a pig by a spell. The judges praised the author’s humorous depiction of love within a family, in a story of magic that turns into reality,” reports Nissan.

As an extension of Nissan’s “corporate citizenship activities,” the children’s literature competition evaluated a total of 485 picture books and 2,508 storybooks by amateur authors.

Special Prizes were given out to two picture books and three storybooks while 10 picture books and 20 storybooks received Prizes for Excellence.

“The Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix aims to help develop children’s imagination and creativity. It commemorates the 1984 opening of the International Institute for Children’s Literature, Osaka, which is Japan’s first comprehensive center for international children’s literature,” reports Nissan. “By publishing the winning works, the competition gives talented amateur authors and illustrators the opportunity to take their work professional. More than 114,000 entries have been received in the 34 years since the start of the program, and 61 books have been published.”