TOKYO (Dec. 12, 2008) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will publish two winning works from the 24th "Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix" held in 2007. The books will be published by BL Publishing Co., Ltd., and will retail at bookstores nationwide.
The published books are titled "Haru ni nattara aketekudasai" (Open it when Spring comes) by Kunie Masui and "Moimoi no pokke" (Moimoi's pocket) by H@L - winners of the Children's Storybook Grand Prize and Picture Book Grand Prize respectively. The former was illustrated by Mareko Abe, a previous Special Prize winner, Children's Picture Book category from the 16th Grand Prix.
As part of its corporate contribution initiative to promote children's literature, Nissan will be donating copies of these books to about 3,500 libraries all over Japan, and about 650 local nursery schools and kindergartens near Nissan offices. Beginning with the first Grand Prix in 1984, the company has donated up to 160,000 books nationwide, bringing the joys and educational value of reading to children of all ages.
Submissions for this year's 25th Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix ended on October 31. The award ceremony will be held in March 2009 at the International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka in Suita city, Osaka Prefecture.
Sponsored by Nissan, the Grand Prix was first organized in May 1984 by the International Institute for Children's literature, Osaka and now attracts more than 3,000 annual entries. The Grand Prix hopes to identify talented writers and illustrators of children's books and offer them a platform to showcase their works. Grand Prize winning works are published, paving the way for Grand Prix winners to attain successful publishing careers.
Information on the Grand Prix is available at the following site:
www.nissan-global.com/JP/CITIZENSHIP/FAIRYTALE/index.html
Grand Prize Winning Works to be published:
<Children's storybook category>
Title: "Haru ni nattara aketekudasai" (Open it when Spring comes)
Summary: A Mother wins a competition and as a reward receives a can that says "Please open it when Spring comes". The story excitingly unravels as she remembers to open the mysterious can.
Author: Kunie Masui
Residing in Hyogo. Winner of the 24th Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book
Grand Prix.
Illustrator: Mareko Abe
Residing in Tokyo. Special prize winner of the 16th Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix. for "Daiku no Tomesa" (Tomesa, a carpenter.)
Format: 24x18cm, 32 pages, 4-color printing
Price: 1,300 yen (tax excluded)
<Picture book category>
Title: "Moimoi no Pokke" (Moimoi's pocket)
Moimoi, a small bird goes on a treasure hunting adventure. He makes friends with
different animals on his way to finding the wonderful treasure that awaits. Using a
mix of beautiful colors, the picture book comes alive in children's imagination.
Author: H@L
Residing in Osaka. Winner of the 24th Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book
Grand Prix.
Format: 27x21cm, 32 pages, 4-color printing
Price: 1,300 yen (tax excluded)
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