[Winner of Rubyful Award 2026] Children's book 'I Want to Design 'Readable' for Everyone: I am a Font Designer' depicts a font designer's limitless challenge

On June 2, 2026, 'I Want to Design 'Readable' for Everyone: I am a Font Designer,' published by Gakken (President: Tatsuya Nanjo), a group company of Gakken Holdings (President: Hiroaki Miyahara), was awarded the Grand Prix at the 'Rubyful Award 2026.'

Celebrating 'Ruby Day' on June 2, 2026, the winners of the Rubyful Award were announced. This award honors books that are 'reached by readers precisely because they contain ruby (furigana),' aiming to highlight books that expand the 'readership' through the extensive use of ruby.

■ Comments from the Author, Hiromi Takada
'Thank you for this wonderful award. As a font designer, I created the 'UD Digital Textbook Font' mentioned in this book after conducting interviews with children who have reading difficulties and their supporters. I am very particular about the ruby in this book. I made many detailed requests, such as adjusting line spacing, suppressing letter distortion, and keeping the text characters together, to make it as readable as possible for children with reading difficulties, just like those I interviewed. I am honored to receive the Rubyful Award, especially the Grand Prix!'

■ Selection Reason from the Judges
'Above all, the beauty of the UD Digital Textbook Font! Being touched by the author's passion for creating a font that is easy for everyone to read, one can understand the dignity of challenges born from personal passion. Furthermore, the book itself is conscious of barrier-free and universal design, fully ruby-annotated with the UD Digital Textbook Font, making it truly a moving and highly readable design.'

■ Content of the Book
A 'font' is a collection of characters designed with a consistent concept and aesthetic. Among the many fonts in the world is the 'UD Digital Textbook Font.' It is increasingly used in textbooks, teaching materials, television subtitles, and municipal public relations papers.

The font was created after carefully listening to visually impaired people who find learning and daily life difficult, even with glasses or contact lenses. Through repeated trial and improvement, it took eight years to complete. The 'UD Digital Textbook Font' has become a representative font for Universal Design (UD), felt to be 'readable' by both those with learning disabilities and children in regular classrooms.

This is the first children's book by font designer Hiromi Takada, who challenged herself over many years to 'absolutely complete the UD Digital Textbook Font.' Her strong desire to 'continue creating fonts that leave no one behind' is filled with hints for children living in the upcoming diversity society. The book allows readers to touch upon the idea of 'Universal Design' from a designer's perspective.

In the summer of 2026, it was selected as a designated reading book for the 22nd Osaka Children's Book Band Creation Competition and 'Summer Vacation Books Recommended by Schools.' It is also recommended for book reports.

The book starts with color pages that encourage children to look around their environment. It serves as an opportunity for children to think about fonts and universal design as their own personal concern.

The UD Digital Textbook Font was standardized in 'Windows OS' in 2017, making it easier for teachers to use, which is why elementary school students and their parents have likely seen it on school prints or notices. Why not experience universal design through this familiar font? The book adopts the UD Digital Textbook Font in its text.

The book explains fonts and universal design with abundant diagrams and photos. Hiromi Takada’s conversational tone makes the book easy to read and fosters deep understanding.