[New Book Information] "We Must Pass It On to Future Generations: The Atomic Bomb and War" - A Picture Book Born from a Strong Desire. Testimony of a Girl Who Survived Alone. "Thank You for Being Alive" (Story by Shuji Ago, Illustrations by Ito Hiromichi) Published July 14

Iwasaki Shoten Product Page: https://www.iwasakishoten.co.jp/book/b10170167.html

This picture book tells a true story. The memories of a 8-year-old girl.

Late in the Pacific War. The signs of defeat were growing stronger each day. However, Sueko, who was 8 years old, was happy with her daily life with her family.

Then, on August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Sueko's town, Hiroshima.

Her three beloved older sisters were buried under the rubble of their home. Sueko crawled out alone, but the flames were already reaching her sisters. That was the last time she heard their voices. The fate of her parents, who were out at work, was unknown. Sueko, who became a war orphan, continued to face great hardship. She thought, "Mom will come to pick me up someday." She kept thinking about it. Even now, at the age of 90, she still thinks about it.

Before the atomic bombing, and after becoming a war orphan. This picture book is a testimony tracing back memories that are too painful to bear.

- The story is set in Hiroshima during the Pacific War.

- The protagonist is an 8-year-old girl who lost her parents and three older sisters in the atomic bombing.

- The girl is real and is now 90 years old. The story in this picture book is her testimony.

- It conveys indescribable tragedy and the preciousness of peace.

More than 80 years have passed since "Sueko" experienced the atomic bombing.

However, wars continue to rage somewhere in the world even now.

"Sueko's" sorrow, and the "joy of living" she found despite it.

Won't you lend an ear to her voice and think about war and peace as if they were your own concerns?

● Book Information

Title: Thank You for Being Alive

Author: Shuji Ago (Story) / Ito Hiromichi (Illustrations)

Publisher: Iwasaki Shoten Co., Ltd.

Price: 1,870 yen (1,700 yen + tax)

Format: A4, 40 pages

Target Age: Approximately 5 years old to upper elementary school grades

Publication Date: July 10, 2026

Release Date: July 14, 2026

ISBN: 978-4-265-83264-4

Iwasaki Shoten Product Page: https://www.iwasakishoten.co.jp/book/b10170167.html

Author Profiles

Shuji Ago

Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1967. Graduated from Okayama University. His works include "Creating Plays of 'Life' and 'Peace'" (Nanatsumori Shoin), "Orphans Who Survived the Atomic Bombing and the Korean War" (Shin Nippon Shuppansha), and the picture book "That's When I Was 9 Years Old" (Shin Nippon Shuppansha).

Ito Hiromichi

Born in Mie Prefecture in 1971. Graduated from the Illustration Department of the Graduate School at Academy of Art University. During his studies, he attended lectures by Mark English and Kazuhiko Sano. After returning to Japan, he studied under the illustrator Tatsuro Kiuchi. Member of the Japan Illustrators' Association. His concept is "Pictures that move you deeply."