Sunshine City Introduces 'Picture Book Forest' Award at Bungeisha's Picture Book Awards

Award ceremony for the 29th Bungeisha Picture Book Awards held at Sunshine City's Fountain Plaza

Sunshine City Co., Ltd. (Toshima City, Tokyo; President and CEO: Eimi Waki), which operates "Picture Book Forest"—a year-round family-oriented event series centered on picture books—and Bungeisha Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku City, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tsugufumi Uriya), organizer of the nationwide picture book competition "Bungeisha Publishing Culture Promotion Fund 31st Picture Book Awards," have collaborated to introduce a new category called the "Sunshine City Picture Book Forest" Award, aimed at children aged elementary school and younger.

This collaboration began in 2023, driven by both companies’ shared desire to support children’s creativity and provide them with platforms to shine, marking its fourth iteration this year.

The number of entries has increased annually, receiving strong support from families.

This year, winners will be invited to attend the award ceremony held at Sunshine City's Fountain Plaza. Winning entries will be featured on large digital screens at the plaza—the largest indoor commercial plaza in Japan—and on the big-screen television at the "Picture Book Plaza" within the facility.

Through this collaboration, we aim to create opportunities for children to engage with books, offering them meaningful experiences and lasting memories.

Sunshine City's "Picture Book Forest" will continue to host numerous family-friendly events, including workshops and storytelling sessions.

● Bungeisha Publishing Culture Promotion Fund: Picture Book Awards

A nationwide picture book competition hosted by Bungeisha. Since launching its first call for entries in January 2011, it has been held twice annually for 14 years, contributing to the creation of a richer society through picture book culture. Grand Prize-winning works are published as books by Bungeisha.

▼ Download the press release PDF here

https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d20364-1122-8ed756751540887663c2363e04469f35.pdf

Overview of the 31st Picture Book Awards

Submission Period: June 25 (Thu) – October 10 (Sat) ※Postmark valid on the day

● Grand Prize ● Publication of the book by Bungeisha; cash prize of 500,000 yen

● Excellence Award ● Certificate; cash prize of 100,000 yen

● Special Award ● Certificate; cash prize of 50,000 yen

Eligibility: All submitted works

● "Sunshine City Picture Book Forest" Award ●

Eligibility: Children aged elementary school or younger (at time of submission)

Number of selections: Up to approximately 3 works ※For detailed submission guidelines, please visit the official Picture Book Awards website.

31st Picture Book Awards Official Website: https://www.bungeisha.co.jp/ehon/

<Award Benefits> · Certificate, plus 5 special admission tickets each to Sunshine Aquarium and the Sunshine 60 Observatory (Tenbou Park)

· 5,000 yen worth of bookstore gift cards

· Screening of winning entries on the large-screen television at the "Picture Book Plaza" on the 1st floor of Sunshine City Alpa

· Attendance at the award ceremony

Date: February 21, 2027 (Sun)

Venue: Sunshine City Fountain Plaza

An award ceremony will be held for the Grand Prize, Excellence Award, Special Award, and the "Picture Book Forest" Award.

Large-screen television picture books at the "Picture Book Plaza"

Original entry form created by Picture Book Forest

To encourage children’s participation, we have created a special entry form designed for children. Available at brochure racks inside Sunshine City or downloadable from the Picture Book Awards official website.

About "Sunshine City Picture Book Forest"

96% of visitors express intent to return—highly supported by families

"Picture Book Forest" is part of the "Sunshine City FAMILY Project," a series of initiatives aimed at making Sunshine City an even more enjoyable, comfortable, and safe destination for families.

Located on the 1st floor of the specialty shopping area Alpa, the "Picture Book Plaza" offers a space where visitors can enjoy television picture books and borrow physical picture books, providing a place for family relaxation. The facility also runs periodic book-giving events using donated picture books collected from within the building.

Since 2021, the project has hosted storytelling sessions and workshops led by certified librarians and "Picture Book Specialists"—professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in picture books—with the goal of making Sunshine City a destination where parents and children can enjoy time together.

According to user surveys at the "Picture Book Plaza," approximately 80% of visitors are families with preschool-aged children, and 96% of users express interest in returning, demonstrating exceptionally high support.

In Toshima Ward—a district experiencing a growing number of family households*—we aim to provide a safe and welcoming environment for parents and children.

*Reference: "Toshima Ward Basic Plan 2025–2029," p.18

Sunshine City Picture Book Forest Official Website: https://sunshinecity.jp/file/official/ehonnomori/

Picture Book Plaza

Features daily screenings of more than six picture books on a large-screen television, along with a wide selection of physical books available for reading. The space also serves as a rest area for families.

The plaza includes a photo spot designed to resemble a tree, whose appearance changes with the seasons and events.

Picture Book Collection and Donation Events

Book collection boxes are placed throughout the facility to gather gently used picture books no longer needed at home. To date, approximately 6,700 books have been collected. Through various events, around 5,800 books have been donated, primarily to families in the Ikebukuro area.

By recycling books and creating opportunities for children to access them easily, we aim to foster awareness about resource conservation and nurture children’s sensitivity and imagination. Book donation events will continue to be held periodically.

Picture Book Storytelling Sessions

Approximately eight storytelling sessions per year are held by certified librarians and "Picture Book Specialists."

Collaboration with the Local Community

We collaborate with Toshima Ward to promote picture book engagement and family bonding throughout the community.

In partnership with Toshima City Public Libraries, regular storytelling sessions by library staff are held at the "Picture Book Plaza" in Sunshine City.

Additionally, collected books from the recycling program are offered free of charge at local community centers known as "Kumin Hiroba" across Toshima Ward, promoting book circulation within the community and passing cherished books on to the next generation. Furthermore, an original picture book created by Sunshine City Picture Book Forest was donated to these centers.

▼ Download the press release PDF here

https://prtimes.jp/a/?f=d20364-1122-8ed756751540887663c2363e04469f35.pdf

※Schedule and content are subject to change or cancellation depending on circumstances.

※Images are for illustrative purposes only. ※All prices include tax.

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Sunshine City Overview

Address: 3-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo

Business Hours: Vary by facility

Inquiries: Sunshine City Information Desk 03-3989-3331

https://sunshinecity.jp/

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