#Japan #Tokyo #picture book #Sony Bank #Kids Learning

Winners Announced for the Picture Book Award to Teach Kids About Money

The Nikomo Corporation (President: Misaki Inukai), based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, has announced the winners of the "Picture Book Award to Teach Kids About Money" sponsored by Sony Bank (President: Keiichi Minami) after careful evaluation.

This initiative aims to encourage creativity and financial literacy among children aged 6 to 8, covering themes related to money and economics. The submission period ran from November 20, 2024, to March 17, 2025.

Grand Prize and Special Prize Winners

After a comprehensive selection process, the Grand Prize was awarded to "What is Money? Thinking in Animal Village" by Fumito Ito, while the Special Prize went to "Kero Kero Cake" by Takekuma Go.

The Grand Prize winner receives a cash award of 1,000,000 yen and publication in bookstores, while the Special Prize holder receives 50,000 yen.

You can find the results on the official announcement page: Results Announcement.

Overview of Winning Works

Grand Prize

Title: What is Money? Thinking in Animal Village
Author: Fumito Ito
Purchase Link

Special Prize

Title: Kero Kero Cake
Author: Takekuma Go
Purchase Link

Grand Prize Winner's Comments

The author, Fumito Ito, expressed gratitude for the honor and hopes that many children will enjoy the book and gain insight into money management through it.

Judges Panel

The judging panel consisted of prominent figures, including picture book authors Yuichi Kimura, Yasushi Tsukamoto, and children's literature writer Kayo Mabe, alongside 627 customers from Sony Bank who cast their votes for the Special Prize.

Judges' Commentary

Yuichi Kimura:
He praised the clear theme of the award and commented on how the Grand Prize-winning book effectively simplifies the concept of money for a young audience, making it an exceptional choice amidst many submissions. The story's enchanting illustrations and dialogues allow children to engage effortlessly with the material.

Yasushi Tsukamoto:
Tsukamoto highlighted the balance between narrative and illustration in the Grand Prize book, remarking on its cute animal characters that cheerfully express the origins of money. He suggested that this concept could extend beyond money to various subjects in future publications.

Kayo Mabe:
Mabe found the humor in the animal characters exploring money particularly captivating and noted that it presents a relatable scenario for children. The approach engages the audience positively, creating a delightful narrative around money management.

Final Selection Insights

The judging committee noted the myriad of creative submissions they received, which made the final selection process a challenging yet inspiring experience. Among the notable works evaluated were "How to Use Money: Kappa's Guide" by Keiko Yokomichi, "The Eel Shop and the Cat Inventor" by Mika Yada, and others that showcased originality and expressive illustrations.

Organizers

The award is hosted by Sony Bank and operated by Nikomo Corporation, which aims to contribute to the growth of financial literacy through engaging literature for young readers.

For any further inquiries related to this award or submissions, please visit our Contact Page.