[Tokuma Shoten] The popular picture book series “Helpful Dwarf” features three-dimensional “dwarfs” created by stop-motion animation studio Dwarf Studio, making their first public appearance!
Tokuma Shoten Press release: October 17, 2025 To Members of the Press The popular picture book series “Helpful Dwarf” features
three-dimensional “dwarfs” created by Dwarf Studio, the studio behind the stop-motion animation, making their first public appearance! Based on the world of the popular picture book series “The Helpful Dwarf” (written by Nakagawa Chihiro, illustrated by Koyose Junji), the Helpful Dwarf dolls created by stop-motion animation studio Dwarf Studio will be unveiled for the first time. Dwarf Studio, a leading stop-motion animation studio known for works such as “Domo-kun” and “Komaneko,” has brought to life the dwarfs and heavy machinery that appear in “Otasuke Kobito.” The dwarfs are life-size and feature adorable character designs. These dolls will be on display at the original picture book illustration exhibition for my latest work, “The Helpful Dwarf and the Naughty Puppy,” currently being held at Teal Green in Seed Village (Ota-ku, Tokyo).
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Closed/Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16935/929/16935-929-578b0129e495a2882c42efb6de8e44c1-467×351.png ◆Original Story: “The Helpful Dwarf”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16935/929/16935-929-4f766ba331e0631a81597da7e7faff7f-2174×1575.jpg Text: Nakagawa Chihiro, Illustrations: Koyose Junji Price: 1,650 yen (tax included) Release date: February 2007 Format/Page Count: A4 variable, 38 pages ISBN: 978-4-19-862296-1 : Tokuma Shoten Product page: 【Tokuma Shoten】https://www.tokuma.jp/book/b503011.html [Amazon] https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4198622965 This popular picture book series has been published in Japan and seven other countries, and has sold a total of 1 million copies worldwide. One day, Mom called. “Okay, please,” she said. Then, in came the dwarves, complete with excavators, bulldozers, and other construction vehicles! Mix butter, flour, and sugar… what can you make? This is a picture book that both kids who love cars and kids who love sweets will enjoy every page! ◆Latest volume: “The Helpful Dwarf and the Naughty Puppy” Return the runaway puppy to its owner! The elves have a blast using their working vehicles.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/16935/929/16935-929-082ee2e8ec7f9ec70bfe05aa47ca575c-800×569.jpg Text: Nakagawa Chihiro, Illustrations: Koyose Junji Price: ¥1,650 (tax included) Release date: Friday, June 27, 2025 Format/Page Count: A4 landscape, 32 pages ISBN: 978-4-19-866023-9 : Tokuma Shoten Product page: [Tokuma Shoten]
https://www.tokuma.jp/book/b663532.html [Amazon]
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4198660239 Author profile [Text] Nakagawa Chihiro As a translator, she has worked on many picture books and children’s literature, including “The Wonderful Shelter” (Tokuma Shoten). Her books include “Drawing Watching: How to Enjoy Children’s Drawings 10 Times More” (Rironsha), and original picture books and fairy tales such as “The Princess of the Field,” “The Dinosaur Egg,” and “Mountain Animal Hospital” (all published by Tokuma Shoten), as well as “Karin-chan and the Fifteen Hina Dolls” (Kaiseisha), “How to Be an Angel” (Rironsha), and “A Wonderful Alone” (Nora Shoten). 【Illustrations】Koyose Junji Born in 1949. Graduated from Setsu Mode Seminar. He has worked on magazine illustrations and book designs and cover art, as well as illustrating children’s books such as “Runaway Day” (Tokuma Shoten), and picture books such as the “Helpful Dwarf” series and “Morphine’s Car” (WAVE Publishing). ◆Related links Picture book: https://www.tokuma.jp/book/b503011.html Dwarf Studio (FIELD MANAGEMENT EXPAND): http://dw-f.jp ◎Copyright Text (C) 2007 Chihiro Nakagawa, Illustrations (C) Junji Koyose ◆Contact for media inquiries regarding this matter [Tokuma Shoten PR Contact] C-Publishing Services, Inc. Public Relations Department pr★c-pub.co.jp (Please convert ★ to @ before sending) For more information about this release