- Below is the content from the press release--
Avirity Information (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Tomomi Okuno), the company behind KIKASETE, a picture book application that develops the ability to think and communicate, is pleased to announce that the third edition of its popular annual event, "Picture Books Written by Celebrities", will be open to the public for a limited time from Tuesday 1 February to Thursday 31 March 2022. Avirity Information (Location: Shibuya, Tokyo, Representative Director: Tomomi Okuno), the company behind "Kikasete", is pleased to announce the release of the third edition of its popular annual event, "Picture Books Written by Celebrities", from Tuesday 1 February to Thursday 31 March 2022.
WE WANT MORE CHILDREN AND PARENTS TO ENJOY KIKASETE! THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN 2020.
THIS IS THE THIRD PICTURE BOOK PROJECT WRITTEN BY YUKO OGURA, MAKI NISHIYAMA AND HELMIPPE, FOLLOWING THE PICTURE BOOKS WRITTEN BY HIKARU OTA, KOYUKI AND SHIHO, WHICH WERE RELEASED IN MARCH 2021.
The theme of the picture book is "human connection ", which can be deepened between parents and children. As in the previous edition, which was well received by users, Yuko Ogura and Maki Nishiyama's picture books are accompanied by audio recordings of themselves reading aloud to the children.
KIKASETE, which aims to nurture children's ability to think and communicate, will continue to provide content that enriches parents' and children's time together through initiatives such as this.
Messages from the celebrities who took part
Yuko Ogura (Mama Talent) / Work: Mi-Chan's One Day
Comments:
- Background to the project
When I was a child, I loved to spend time with my mother reading picture books.
As I became a mother myself, I started to read picture books to my children.
Reading picture books has become an important part of my time with my children.
I was very happy to take part in this project because I could make my own original picture book.
My thoughts on the picture book
I was worried about what kind of picture book to make, but I tried to depict an everyday day. I tried to depict a typical day in the life of a child.
I wanted to express the feeling that there is warmth and happiness in everyday life.
I decided to write the time too, because I hope that by writing the time, my two or three year old child (my child) will understand the sense of time.
Who would you like to read this book to and when?
I imagined this book to be read by children of two or three years old, but I would be happy if adults could also read it and feel the warmth of everyday life.
Maki Nishiyama (Fashion model, TV personality) / Work: Mahou no Te
Comments:
- Background of the picture book project
When I was asked to participate in this project, I immediately wanted to do it, because drawing pictures, arranging words and giving form to them are all things that I love. When I heard about this project, I immediately wanted to do it.
I was excited to see what I could leave behind, what I could deliver, and what I could shape.
The theme of the picture book
Although the Corona disaster has made it difficult to get close to people, I wanted to express my wish that skin-to-skin communication between people and heart-to-heart should be important.
"Holding hands"
In a world where it is no longer a matter of course, it is important to hold hands.
It is something that is very close to us that we seem to forget.
This is the theme.
Who would you like to read this book to and when?
I would like this book to spread like a connecting hand from the person who finds this book to their family, partner or friends. I hope that this book will spread like a connecting hand from the people who find it, from children to adults, and that it will bring a little extra love and kindness to the hearts of those who receive it.
It would be my pleasure if this book could make your heart relax every time you read it.
Helmippe (pixel artist) / work: "Kagayaku-ono
Comments:
In this story, I thought about change.
I have loved drawing since I was a child, and I used to doodle all the time during my break time in primary school.
Once a teacher was amused by this and put a blackboard in the corner of the classroom for me to doodle on.
I was very happy, but the pressure to draw and the jeering of my classmates who thought I was being patronising gradually made it difficult for me to use the blackboard.
Small changes in society affect not only you, but also the people around you, and when the people around you change, it comes back to you.
It didn't end well for me at the time.
I still remember it and I think it was very regrettable.
By preparing and expressing myself and the changes around me in order to tell others about them, I was inspired to think about the daily changes and the connections we have with others.
I hope that it will help people to prepare themselves for the changes that will inevitably come in their lives, so that they do not feel rushed.
Overview of the project
Release period: Tuesday 1 February - Saturday 31 March 2021
Special movie: https: //youtu.be/q6fUEL4asQw
KIKASETE, the children's picture book application provided by Avirity Information, which won the BabyTech® Award Japan 2021 in the category of Excellence in Learning and Play, has released the third edition of its popular annual project, "Original Picture Books by Celebrities", for a limited time only.
This year's three books are by Yuko Ogura, Maki Nishiyama and Helmippe.
Let's have a look at the details from the press release.