Nippon Shinyaku announced the 19th Children's Literature Award and is accepting stories and pictures to be used as the basis for a picture book through 11 February 2027. The winners will be announced in May 2027, and the picture book is scheduled for completion in October of the same year.
Nippon Shinyaku announced that it will hold the 19th Nippon Shinyaku Children's Literature Award and is accepting entries in the story and painting categories. In the past, the company produced picture books based on the winning entry in the story category, and it plans to produce one picture book this time as well, based on the winning entries in both categories.
The application period runs through 11 February 2027, with entries valid if postmarked on that day. There are no restrictions on age, gender or occupation, and both professionals and amateurs may apply in either the children's or adults' category.
Entrants may submit one story on any theme in the story category and one painting on the theme “Pictures that colour children's dreams” in the painting category. The winner of the top prize in the story category may be asked to make partial changes to the content when the story is adapted into a picture book.
The winners will be announced on 5 May 2027 in the Asahi Shimbun and on the official website, and the picture book is scheduled for completion in October of the same year. As of now, 18 picture books have been produced, with more than 390,000 copies donated to medical institutions, public libraries and other recipients nationwide.
The picture books are not for sale. They are also provided to supporters of the Kirakira Mirai Children's Fund, with donations used for activities supporting children, including donations of large-format picture books and the holding of reading sessions.