Gakken's Live Encyclopedia Series Wins Prestigious Kids Design Award in Japan

Gakken's Live Encyclopedia Series Shines at Kids Design Awards

Gakken's celebrated Live Encyclopedia Series has been recognized for its outstanding contribution to children's education and design, winning the esteemed Kids Design Award's Chairman Award at the 19th Kids Design Award ceremony held on October 6, 2025, in Tokyo. This accolade highlights Gakken's commitment to fostering creativity and safety in children's learning resources.

Award Recognition

The Kids Design Award, initiated in 2007, aims to promote designs that ensure children's safety, nurture their creativity, and foster family-friendly environments. It evaluates products, services, and initiatives tailored towards children and parenting, acknowledging those that excel in innovative design and educational impact. The Live Encyclopedia Series was awarded in the section emphasizing design literacy that expands children's creativity and future potential.

The series editor, Yoshiyuki Matsubara, expressed gratitude for this recognition, stating that it underscores Gakken's vision of creating engaging educational materials that not only inform but also inspire children. The award citation praised the series for its compelling presentations, particularly noting its coverage of 2,800 species of insects captured in their living forms, an aspect that adds to the awe-inspiring visual experience.

Educational Impact

The series aims to deepen children's understanding of various subjects. Each book is meticulously designed to enhance learning. For instance, interactive video content complements the written material, enabling further exploration and inquiry-based learning. Safety was also a priority in the design process, with rounded page corners ensuring the physical safety of young readers.

The Live Encyclopedia Series was revamped in June 2022 and now includes comprehensive new information, high-quality photographs, and illustrations. With ten volumes published to date boasting over 564,000 copies in circulation, it has become a staple in children's educational literature.