#Japan #Picture Books #YOMO #Bunkyo City #ニコモ

Announcing the Winners of the 3rd YOMO Picture Book Award!

The eagerly awaited results of the 3rd YOMO Picture Book Award have finally been revealed! Hosted by Nicomore, a subsidiary of Koyo Co., Ltd., and backed by a passionate team, this year’s contest saw an impressive 395 submissions from aspiring illustrators and authors, all eager to share their unique stories.

Award Highlights

The awards were divided into several categories, showcasing incredible talent and creativity among its participants:

• - Grand Prize: “Why Does It Become Night, Takeru-kun?” by Naomi Mori
• - Excellence Award: “Senpai Mamezo” by You Asao
• - Honorable Mentions:

- “The Sofa's Big Adventure” by Miyuki Hama
- “Nyaon to Paon” by Biwa Ko
- “Anako” by Chieko Komatsuna (text) and Kuriko Momoto (illustration)

The Grand Prize winner, Naomi Mori, expressed her gratitude, noting that the inspiration for her story stemmed from her childhood curiosity about the universe and self-identity. She hopes her book will evoke similar reflections in young readers.

Judges’ Insights

The selection process was overseen by a distinguished panel of judges including renowned picture book authors such as Tomohiko Fujimoto, Koji Ishikawa, Kenta Otsuka, and Yume Okuhara. They noted that the submissions reflected a remarkable diversity in artistic expression and narrative creativity, making the deliberation process quite challenging.

“Ultimately, we narrowed it down to 17 exceptional works,” they remarked. The judges emphasized their commitment to maintaining a high standard in selecting meaningful and captivating stories.

What’s Next?

As the curtains close on this year’s award, the YOMO team expresses appreciation to all participants for their incredible contributions. They encourage everyone to look forward to the 4th YOMO Picture Book Award, with more details to be revealed soon on the official website.

For More Information

To explore the award-winning stories, and many more, visit YOMO’s official site. Engage with the wonder of storytelling through our diverse range of original picture books. Whether you are a professional or an amateur, the platform welcomes all authors to submit their work! You can join for free, read samples, and embark on this literary adventure.

A Glance at the Honorable Mentions

• - “The Sofa's Big Adventure” brings readers along on an imaginative journey of two siblings, showcasing a vibrant blend of fantasy and reality.
• - “Nyaon to Paon” captivates with its rhythmic text, promising fun and delightful illustrations that keep young readers engaged.
• - “Anako” presents a creatively surreal take on the world of holes, encouraging readers to embrace their imagination.

Each submission shows the hard work and passion of its creator, making this event a celebration of creativity and literary talent. Congratulations to all the winners and participants, and we look forward to your stories in the future!