Latest installment in popular picture book series with over 2.8 million copies worldwide! Gaston the unicorn teaches the importance of expressing gratitude in "Can You Say Thank You?"

Shufunotomo Co., Ltd. will release "Can You Say Thank You?" (https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4074635569) on June 30, 2026 (Tuesday).

Learning Essential Social Skills for Life

Gaston is a young unicorn with a magical mane that changes color with his mood. Gaston experiences a wide range of emotions, such as crying, getting angry, and feeling lonely. As children experience these various emotions, they develop the "social skills" necessary to build relationships with others and navigate society. Acquiring these skills is crucial for a child's development.

This Time, Gaston's Theme is "Expressing Gratitude"

[Synopsis] Gaston receives his favorite cocoa but can't say "thank you."

Gaston visits his grandparents' house.

Many happy things happen, like being served his favorite cocoa and receiving a present.

However, Gaston gets so excited about what's in front of him that he can't say "thank you."

Yay, cocoa! Gaston was so eager to drink it that he forgot to say thank you.

Even when he receives delicious strawberries at the store, Gaston can't honestly say "thank you." His grandmother tells him, "Saying thank you is important."

Shy, Gaston's mane changes color.

Gaston reflects on his actions. He tries to express his gratitude by decorating with flowers and setting the table for his grandparents, but... his busy grandparents don't notice what he's done.

Gaston is sad that his feelings weren't understood.

However, this sad experience of "no one noticing..." actually becomes an important catalyst (a mirror) for him to start thinking from the other person's perspective, realizing, "Grandma must have felt the same way this morning."

From the experience of "no one noticing...", empathy begins to sprout, allowing him to imagine the feelings of others. "Grandma must have felt the same way this morning."

[Features of This Book] Three Processes for Children to Naturally Learn to Express "Thank You"

● Understand the other person's feelings by seeing them as a mirror.

● Gain experience in honestly saying "thank you."

● Realize that a single word can make everyone happy!

It's wonderful to be able to honestly say "thank you" for the gratitude in your heart!

Author Profile

[Text and Illustrations] Aurélie Chien Chow Chine

Received a master's degree in Information and Communication with a focus on Child Psychology from Paris Diderot University. After working in animation production for 10 years, she debuted as a children's book author with the Gaston series. She studied the methods of Sofrology therapy and conducts workshops at educational institutions.

[Translator] Isoko Kakuchi

Born in Tokyo. Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Letters, Department of French Literature. Debuted as a poet and is active as a picture book and children's story author and translator. Received awards such as the Ono Azusa Memorial Prize and the Sanrio "Poetry and Fairy Tale Prize." Her works include "The Mysterious Night Music," "The Friend in the Bottle," "The Long Babysitting," "Jujiu Time in the Land of Clocks," and many others. She translated the French picture books starring Gaston the unicorn, such as "Try It When You Feel Like Getting Angry" and "It's Okay to Win or Lose," which became a hit series with over 500,000 copies sold.

Bibliographic Information

Title: Can You Say Thank You?

Text and Illustrations: Aurélie Chien Chow Chine

Translation: Isoko Kakuchi

Price: 1540 yen (tax included) Release Date: June 30, 2025 (Tuesday) Format/Pages: B5 variant, 32 pages ISBN: 978-4-07-463556-6

[Amazon] https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4074635569

[Rakuten Books] https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18650678/

*Also available as an e-book

Now on Sale! Gaston's Social Skills Series

Title: It's Okay to Win or Lose

Text and Illustrations: Aurélie Chien Chow Chine

Translation: Isoko Kakuchi

Price: 1320 yen (tax included)

Release Date: Published October 2022

Format/Pages: B5 variant, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-4-07-453150-9

[Amazon] https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/407453150X

[Rakuten Books] https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/17303754/

*E-book available

Title: It's Okay to Make Mistakes

Text and Illustrations: Aurélie Chien Chow Chine

Translation: Isoko Kakuchi

Price: 1320 yen (tax included)

Release Date: Published May 2024

Format/Pages: B5 variant, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-4-07-457047-8

[Amazon] https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4074570475

[Rakuten Books] https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/17865132/

*E-book available

Title: It's Okay to Be Different

Text and Illustrations: Aurélie Chien Chow Chine

Translation: Isoko Kakuchi

Price: 1430 yen (tax included)

Release Date: Published June 2025

Format/Pages: B5 variant, 32 pages

ISBN: 978-4-07-461830-9

[Amazon] https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4074618303

[Rakuten Books] https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18254222/

*E-book available

[Media Contact for This Matter]

[Shufunotomo Co., Ltd. Public Relations Desk] C-Publishing Service Co., Ltd. Public Relations and Advertising Department pr★c-pub.co.jp (Please replace ★ with @ when sending)