winners-of-childrens-book-Grand-Prix
The Nissan Children’s Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix is a prestigious contest that continues to inspire and nurture young literary talent in Japan. This annual event, organised by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in collaboration with the International Institute for Children’s Literature, Osaka, has been an integral part of Nissan’s corporate citizenship activities for over four decades.
A Legacy Of Creativity
Since its inception in 1984, the Grand Prix has received more than 130,000 entries, leading to the publication of 75 books so far. The contest typically attracts around 2,000 entries each year, divided into two categories: Storybook and Picture Book. Now in its 41st year, the competition continues to foster creativity and inspire the next generation of storytellers while providing children with access to imaginative and enriching literature.
Honoring This Year’s Grand Prize Winners
This year’s competition saw an impressive 1,814 entries from amateur authors and illustrators eager to bring their stories to life. Taking home the prestigious Storybook Grand Prize was Shino, for the heartwarming tale Harukaze no Mahootsukai (The Wizard of the Spring Breeze). The story beautifully portrays the bond between a Japanese student and a transfer student from China, who navigates language and cultural differences through the shared appreciation of Chinese poetry. Set against the backdrop of a vibrant spring landscape, this story highlights the power of communication and friendship beyond words.
In the Picture Book category, Kawahara Kumiko’s Uragawa (At the Back) claimed the Grand Prize. This visually stunning book offers an introspective journey into a child’s haven, expressed through striking colors and delicate character expressions. Judges praised Kumiko’s ability to convey deep emotions through illustration, making Uragawa a compelling and poignant read for children.
Both winning books will be published by BL Publishing Co., Ltd. in December 2025, further extending their reach to a wider audience of children and adults eager for fresh and meaningful storytelling. Three storybooks and three picture books also received special prizes, while 20 storybooks and 10 picture books were recognised for excellence.
Notable Winners Through The Years
As the Grand Prix celebrates its 41st anniversary, it’s worth recognising some of its winners from past years:
- Zakuro Kabashima won the 40th Storybook Grand Prize for “Kyo ni Kagitte” (“Just for Today”), and Susie was awarded the Picture Book Grand Prize for “Utsura Utsura” (“While Half Asleep”).
- Rin Koutari won the 39th Storybook Grand Prize for “Atashi wa Hon wo Yomanai” (“I don’t read books”). Manna Umehara won the Picture Book Grand Prize for “Nanka Hitori Ookunai?” (“Aren’t we one person too many?”).
- Marina Yabuguchi won the 38th Storybook Grand Prize for “Kibako no Cho” (“A Butterfly in a Wooden Box”). Reiko Hosokawa won the Picture Book Grand Prize for “Mikan Kyodai no Tanken” (“The Mandarin Brothers’ Expedition”).
- Yoshiharu Kazui won the 37th Storybook Grand Prize for “Nagamichi-kun ga Wakaranai” (“I don’t understand that boy Nagamichi”). Darumamori won the Picture Book Grand Prize for “Marron Glacé.”
The contest, open to works written in Japanese, has helped launch the careers of many writers, including Akiko Miyakoshi (a notable figure in Japanese picture books). Some winning stories have even been incorporated into Japanese school curricula.
All this reflects Nissan’s dedication to enriching communities through literacy and education. Since its inception, Nissan has donated over 290,000 books to libraries and childcare facilities in Japan and Japanese schools abroad, nurturing a culture of reading among young learners.
