#Japan #Tokyo #Sunshine City #Bungeisha #Ehon Taisho

New Award Collaboration at Ehon Taisho

Recently, a significant collaboration has emerged in the world of children's literature. The well-established Ehon Taisho award, organized by Bungeisha, has partnered with Sunshine City (Tokyu, Tokyo) to introduce a new category specifically for children under elementary school age. This collaboration aims to encourage young creators and provide a platform to express their ideas freely.

The new award, known as the Sunshine City Ehon no Mori Award, has been established to celebrate small children's creative talents through a public competition. This initiative is the latest in a joint effort, which began in 2023, and has already seen three successful iterations, gaining popularity among families and educators alike.

A Growing Trend

The number of submissions has been steadily increasing over the years, indicating a strong interest and support from families for this literary initiative. Winners of the award will have the opportunity to participate in a prize-giving ceremony held at the scenic Fountain Plaza of Sunshine City, which is known for being one of Japan's largest indoor commercial complexes. Award-winning stories will be showcased on large screens throughout the venue, allowing for wider appreciation of these young talents.

Furthermore, the collaboration aims to enrich the experiences of children in literature by providing them with memorable opportunities, exposure to reading, and creative expression. Engaging workshops and storytelling sessions are planned throughout the year, enhancing the experience of families visiting Sunshine City.

Overview of the Ehon Taisho

The Ehon Taisho, organized by Bungeisha since 2011, is a nationwide competition that encourages talented authors and illustrators. This award holds biannual selection rounds, and the winning entries are published by Bungeisha. The prizes include attractive sponsorships:

• - Grand Prize: A monetary reward of 500,000 yen and publication.
• - Excellence Award: A 100,000 yen prize.
• - Special Award: A 50,000 yen prize.

In 2027, the prize ceremony will take place on February 21, specifically in the Fountain Plaza, celebrating all award categories.

Sunshine City Ehon no Mori Award Details

The awarded category will cater to children currently in elementary school or younger when they submit their entries. A maximum of three works will be celebrated under this category, further encouraging young authors to get involved in storytelling. The award includes prizes such as:

• - Certification of achievement,
• - Special entry tickets to the Sunshine Aquarium and Sunshine 60 observatory,
• - 5,000 yen book vouchers,
• - An opportunity for the winning pieces to be displayed on the big screen in the 'Ehon no Hiroba' area.

Sunshine City: A Family-Friendly Destination

Sunshine City constantly strives to be a fun, comfortable, and safe environment for families, aligning with their Sunshine City FAMILY project. The Ehon no Hiroba area has been specially designed within the complex to offer a space for families to relax while enjoying various storybooks and visual media. Regularly held workshops and storytelling sessions conducted by librarians and qualified picture book specialists help enhance children's engagement with books.

With a staggering 96% intention of return from families, it's evident that Sunshine City’s initiatives are meeting their goal to create wonderful experiences for families visiting this vibrant urban space. The project also includes an effective recycling initiative for old books, ensuring they are repurposed and shared with families in the community.

Overall, the Sunshine City Ehon no Mori segment seeks not only to foster creativity among the young but also to establish a nurturing environment that in essence, shapes the culture of literacy and family bonding through the love for books.

For ongoing updates, further information, and entry guidelines, visit the official websites of Bungeisha and Sunshine City.