A wide selection of masterpieces by international artists! The second digital edition of the “Gakken World Picture Book Selection,” perfect for the global era, now includes 11 books!
Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. Press release: October 31, 2025 To Members of the Press A wide selection of masterpieces by international artists! The second digital edition of the “Gakken World Picture Book Selection,” perfect for the global era, is now available with 11 books! This digital picture book cultivates a global sensibility in children as they enjoy the works of international authors, coming into contact with diverse cultures and sensibilities! This second volume of the all-new, all-original edition features a collection of
masterpieces, including one Japanese folk tale! Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President and CEO: Hiroaki Miyahara), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. Gakken (Shinagawa, Tokyo / CEO: Nanjo Tatsuya) began distributing the second digital edition of 11 books from the “Gakken World Picture Book Selection” on Friday, October 31, 2025. ■Completely original picture book Most foreign picture books published in Japan are Japanese translations of works originally published overseas. “Gakken World Picture Books” are completely original editions created by directly commissioning overseas authors. The second volume of the Selection Series follows the highly successful first volume and features 11 carefully selected books from past works. This time, the lineup also includes Japanese folk tales. The illustrations are by picture book illustrator Ken Kuroi, known for his picture books “Gon the Fox” and “Going to Buy a Mitten” (Kaiseisha). ■Highly artistic quality that will satisfy adults as well You’ll find highly artistic works that look like framed paintings. Enjoy a wide variety of drawing styles, from bold and unique touches to delicate and detailed touches and pop touches with unique color usage. From heartwarming stories to comical stories that will make you chuckle, there are plenty of works with ideas and developments that are unique to overseas authors! You’ll be drawn into the dreamy world of picture books. ■Japanese translation that is easy to read for children living in Japan The text for this picture book was written by Japanese authors active in children’s literature and picture books, including Etsuko Takeshika, Hisako Madokoro, and Yuzu Furutoshi. While retaining the unique qualities of the original text, the book adds dialogue and descriptions that can be gleaned from the illustrations, making it easy for children to read and enjoy. ■Variations for each season The digital version of the “Gakken World Picture Book Selection” has its roots in monthly childcare picture books read in kindergartens, nurseries, and daycare centers. They can be enjoyed for every season and are tailored to children’s
developmental needs. Since they are not sold in bookstores, being able to read them as digital picture books is a great deal. ● “Puppy and his Forest Friends” (Italy, written by Eva Razzano, illustrated by Pia Valentinis)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-bad17fd7d7600a792ab86d2278992d24-1191×1458.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-4da2b0611fab4c3d80943994c1f96369-2480×1518.jpg ▲A coming-of-age story about a puppy who gets lost in the forest and is raised with love by everyone. ● “Tok Tok’s Singing Voice” (Spain, written by Eva Olivier, illustrated by Gemma Salles Amir) Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-680fd5172f7ff88a1687fbe334a13d44-1191×1458.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-632779569b34f3e98d0fa9af5fa5782e-2382×1458.jpg ▲Everyone on the farm decides to sing in place of the shy Tok-Tok. ● “Marina the Baby Turtle” (Italy, written by Ivan Canu, illustrated by Maria Sole Macchia)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-cd6504e5231d13b6f5fad199901e603a-1191×1458.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-504978bb223023d4603ac8186f8a046e-2382×1458.jpg ▲The great adventure story of Marina, a sea turtle born on a secret island. ● “I Played with the Clouds” (Argentina, written by José Maria Gutierrez, illustrated by Pablo Zweig)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-61e0eeb29ff1de98f331de1ee95f1c10-2206×2700.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-9798914d1b3d1f93cb1241b024ef701e-3900×2386.jpg ▲Thomas is looking out the train window when the clouds begin to change shape… and he takes to the sky. ● “Where’s the Feast?” (Spain, written by Guida Argina, illustrated by Consol Escala)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-730cada29b1276275d173cfd2bb15a1b-1199×1468.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-e73f8144f702a82ef8f4f9e5455a4ea1-2382×1458.jpg ▲Drop the little bear roams the fields and forests in search of raspberries. He meets a kind little bird… ● “Narcissa” (Spain, written and illustrated by Paz Rodero)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-5a549a79cc6676437d720f05b7d70a0f-1199×1468.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-7a28f569b18a9c4d21dc561066138cd5-2382×1468.jpg ▲Narcissa the spider isn’t very good at building webs. Her friends kindly teach her how, but… ● “Beatrice’s Lovely Picture” (Italy, written and illustrated by Eva Montanari)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-2c6d08ada30ba51e3307fa60d5d4c412-1199×1468.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-ece0a8c671c0056eae7f9773b17349fe-2382×1458.jpg ▲Beatris the sheep is working hard to create a painting for an exhibition. However… ● “Mr. Poppo’s Hat” (Italy, written and illustrated by Febe Sirani)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-93df233f368d72a8a3f85f5dd32fbe1c-1654×2024.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-b0168199b1e60ca67600b421ba1e8936-886×542.jpg ▲Postmaster Poppo’s hat goes missing, and he frantically searches for it… ● “The Whale That Went to the Sea” (Japanese Folktale, Text by Kowasawa Tamami, Illustrations by Kuroi Ken)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-aff109f3c4c00531a5c6e311a436f5ce-1199×1468.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-948b5f20dabfcc77780cb939c2359c86-2382×1458.jpg ▲Once upon a time, a whale lived in the mountains. It was so big that the mountain god consulted the sea god… ● “The Cold-Sick Penguin” (Italy, written and illustrated by Anna M. Curti)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-1ca6b33f28272228bcac1dc28d804760-1240×1518.jpg
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-e976f8a30452da669b3c065c6c9a0feb-886×542.jpg ▲Pero the penguin is sensitive to the cold. Guided by some adventurous birds, he sets off into the jungle, but… ● “Looking for a Friend” (UK, written and illustrated by Juliana Gregori)
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8314/2535-8314-b76dd1227af9ec024980d0fd8c483022-2365×1437.jpg ▲Princess Astrid, who is always alone, finds the word “friend” in a book and sets out on a journey to find one. Will she find it? [Product Overview] “Gakken World Picture Book Selection” (11 books from the 2023 edition) Suggested retail price: ¥430 per book (tax included) Release date: October 31, 2025 Size: AB size / 26 pages Publisher: Gakken Co., Ltd. Publisher: Gakken SEED Co., Ltd. 【Purchase this book here】 ●Puppy and his Forest Friends
・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/4KYgprV ・Rakuten
Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/7635082e5c53348aa85f556487cb10f6/ ●Tok Tok’s Singing Voice ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/2jZ67g9 ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/3be3265d2d43353f8cb50ea9c6b74ddf/ ●Baby Sea Turtle Marina ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/fcO1Ulq ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/fc3534007eca398685f8d2b13a7f5b03/ ●Let’s play with Kumoto ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/gaKRRnz ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/af2406f3c8bf3a5eb7619f7837810205/ ●Where is the feast? ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/c4gm6us ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/72aa1f299f673babb607082dd699498e/ ●Lonely Narcissa ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/7DNpP2N ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/d2ace32312c0365fb962b419cb2aa3d1/ ●Beatrice’s Wonderful Picture ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/fqOPeXo ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/eb9164e7a2d6326ab5727dd9da6d53f8/ ●Poppo’s hat ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/j2eixYq ・Rakuten
Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/ec869a127f8d3adf9eab1a1f31552a2c/ ●The Whale That Went to the Sea ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/0fyWeNr ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/9a6e03b5e41338ff86d7a12e8165d8fb/ ●The Cold-Sick Penguin ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/aHDCvBx ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/ee42c8d3a539312d86ab1026f6cb7866/ ●Look for friends ・Kindle:https://amzn.asia/d/cbrXWkl ・Rakuten Kobo:https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rk/30cdfc53969a3ea8a295fad8bea8f444/ ■Gakken Inc. https://www.corp-gakken.co.jp/ ・Representative Director and President: Nanjo Tatsuya ・Date of establishment: January 13, 2009 (trade name changed on October 1, 2022) ・Capital: 50 million yen ・Location: 141-8416 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo ・Business Description: Publishing and content business, global business, medical and nursing publishing content business, business for kindergartens and schools, classroom-related business, e-commerce and online business, and advertising business ■GAKKEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD. https://www.gakken.co.jp/ ・President and CEO: Miyahara Hiroaki ・Date of incorporation: March 31, 1947 ・Capital: 19,817 million yen ・Sales: 185.5 billion yen, 79 consolidated subsidiaries (fiscal year ending September 2024) Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market (Stock Code: 9470) ・Address: 141-8510 2-11-8 Nishigotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo ・Telephone: 03-6431-1001 (Main) ・Business Description: Holding company established in 1946, engaged in education, medical care, and welfare-related businesses. Education: Classroom and cram school operations, including “Gakken Classrooms,” Publishing and content operations, such as educational materials, Preschool and school operations, such as textbooks and childcare supplies, Medical and Welfare: Serviced housing for the elderly, Dementia group homes, Childcare support operations, such as nurseries and after-school programs, Global: Activities and operations in over 150 countries.