Book publication commemoration: “12 Months at School: Caring for Yourself and Others” held in Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture

Reading group held to celebrate publication of the book “12 Months at School: Caring for Yourself and Others” ​
Kokureo Forest NPO Press Release: October 14, 2025 Book reading group held to celebrate publication of the book “12 Months at School: Caring for Yourself and Others” A special event to learn about and discuss the educational practices of Minoh Children’s Forest Gakuen, an alternative school that respects the individuality of each child and fosters the ability to live
democratically. Recommended for those involved in education and child-rearing
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Minoh Children’s Forest Academy (Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture; operated by Kokureo no Mori NPO) will publish the book “12 Months of a School That Values ​​Both Oneself and Others: From the Practices of Minoh Children’s Forest Academy” on October 16, 2025. This book tells the story of 12 months of the school’s practices, which place “valuing oneself” and “valuing others” at the core of their education. Modern education challenges include over 340,000 children not attending school, and teachers facing long working hours and the pressure of evaluations. Against this backdrop, this book offers hope that small, everyday choices and interactions can transform the learning environment. To commemorate the publication, we will be holding a “Publication Celebration Reading Group” that combines a tour of Minoh Children’s Forest School with a reading group. On the day,
participants will tour the learning environment, experience the school atmosphere, and discuss the themes of the book with each other. Event overview ＜Date and time＞ Monday, October 20, 2025 9:00-14:30 ＜Venue＞ Minoh Children’s Forest School 6-15-31 Onohara-nishi, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture (Approx. 20-minute walk from Hankyu Kita-Senri Station) ＜Content＞ Morning: School tour Afternoon: Publication commemorative reading group (even those who have not read the book can participate) ＜Target Audience＞ Those interested in alternative education Those who want to learn about the school’s practices Those interested in creating a democratic learning environment ＜Capacity＞ 12 people (first come, first served) ＜Participation Fee＞ ・Plan with book: 3,500 yen ・Plan without books: ¥2,500 ・Membership plan: ¥1,800 (book cost only, only afternoon reading group participation) ＜Purchase the Book＞ Available for purchase on Amazon and at the school Those who wish to purchase at the school can also do so at the event.
＜Application＞ https://peatix.com/event/4582259/ ＜About the Book＞ Publisher: Tsukiji Shokan (Scheduled for publication on October 16, 2025) Price: 1,800 yen (excluding tax) Organizer/Contact Information Kokureo no Mori (Minoh Children’s Forest Academy), a certified nonprofit organization 6-15-31 Onohara-nishi, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture TEL/FAX: 072-735-7676 MAIL: info@cokreono-mori.com Official website: https://cokreono-mori.com What is Minoh Children’s Forest Gakuen? Minoh Children’s Forest Gakuen is an alternative school (elementary and junior high school) that respects the individuality of each child and aims to cultivate citizens who live democratically. Approximately 70 children, ranging from first grade of elementary school to third grade of junior high school, study here. Our goal is to help students discover the joy of independent learning, value themselves and others, and develop the ability to “create together” through dialogue. Through project-based learning and school events created by children through dialogue, we practice education that cultivates people who will take on the responsibilities of a democratic society. 2025 marks the 22nd year since our founding.