Gakken Children’s Book “The Sky We Looked Up at Together That Day” Wins the 59th Newcomer Award of the Japanese Association of Writers for Children

Gakken Inc., a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, announced that its children’s book “The Sky We Looked Up at Together That Day,” released on November 20, 2025, has won the 59th Newcomer Award of the Japanese Association of Writers for Children. The award was announced on May 1, 2026. The book, written by Kinako Kuroda and illustrated by Masako Tomii, was published by Gakken in November 2025. It also won the Grand Prize at the 33rd Mimei Ogawa Literature Award. This marks the first time the same work has received both awards. The Newcomer Award of the Japanese Association of Writers for Children is a literary prize established to recognize and support new talent expected to shape the future of children’s literature. Past recipients include major figures in Japanese children’s literature such as Miyoko Matsutani, Gennosuke Nagasaki, Satoru Sato, Kimiko Aman, and Nahoko Uehashi. This year marks the award’s 59th edition. In her acceptance comment, Kuroda cited words from a kindergarten teacher who had cared for her three children: “Happy memories from childhood continue to support a person throughout life.” She said she often recalls these words when writing stories, including while revising “The Sky We Looked Up at Together That Day.” She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the team that patiently accompanied her through the revision process last summer. The story follows Ibuki, a fifth-grade elementary school student, and her older brother Ho-chan. Ho-chan suddenly shouts or runs off, and to Ibuki, he feels completely different from herself. But after Ho-chan misses his school trip because of influenza, a “redo school trip” begins, drawing in children, adults, and even a dog. The book depicts diversity, physical and mental disabilities, and the right to live, portraying a world where people acknowledge and help one another. It gives readers a chance to reflect on what diversity means after closing the book. At the beginning of the story, Ibuki views her brother with a somewhat detached attitude, thinking, “This has nothing to do with me.” But after she unexpectedly becomes involved in planning the trip, her perspective gradually begins to change. Author Kinako Kuroda is from Toyama Prefecture. Her works include essay collections about her three children and everyday life, published by KADOKAWA. This book won the Grand Prize at the 33rd Mimei Ogawa Literature Award. Illustrator Masako Tomii is from Saitama Prefecture and lives in Tokyo. She mainly works on book cover art and illustrations, and has published art books including “Nijima-iro” and “Tomidron.” Children’s author Sachiko Kashiwaba, a final selection committee member for the 33rd Mimei Ogawa Literature Award, commented: “This work left the best impression after reading. It conveys the excitement of setting out on a journey, and the characters are distinctive and charming.” The Mimei Ogawa Literature Award was established in 1991 by Joetsu City and the Mimei Ogawa Literature Award Committee to encourage the creation of children’s literature suitable for future generations. Mimei Ogawa, known as the father of Japanese children’s literature, wrote many children’s stories, including “The Red Candles and the Mermaid.” Product details: “The Sky We Looked Up at Together That Day,” written by Kinako Kuroda, illustrated by Masako Tomii, released November 20, 2025, priced at 1,760 yen including tax, 192 pages, ISBN 978-4-05-206244-5, also available as an ebook, published by Gakken Inc.