[Celebrating 110 years since the birth of Kakimoto Kozo] New editions of illustrator Kakimoto Kozo’s baby books are now available! “What Animal Is It? (New Edition),” “What Vehicle Is It? (New Edition),” and “Good Night Everyone! (New Edition)” are now on sale!
Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. Press release: September 26, 2025 To Members of the Press [110th Anniversary of the Birth of Kozo Kakimoto] A new edition of illustrator Kozo Kakimoto’s baby book is now available! “What’s That Animal? (New Edition),” “What’s That Vehicle? (New Edition),” and “Good Night Everyone? (New Edition)” are now on sale! Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd., a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo / President and CEO: Hiroaki Miyahara), Gakken (Shinagawa, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tatsuya Nanjo) released Kakimoto Kozo’s baby picture books “What Animal Is It? (New Edition),” “What Vehicle Is It? (New Edition),” and “Good Night Everyone! (New Edition)” on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-ee1b28221a24a90beca5e4e957c45d97-1200×632.jpg ▲This game features many animals that children around 2 years old can remember. ■”What’s a Vehicle? New Edition” features many of children’s favorite vehicles. Yu-chan is going out with her mom. A black and white car is coming, what is it? A red car is coming, what is it? This is the first book by Kakimoto Kozo, the creator of “Douzo no Isu,” in which you can play guessing games based on the color and shape of the vehicles. This is a paperback version of the monthly picture book published in 1981.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-55c8662c7a2f0d7dd321c765a43da3da-1200×632.jpg ▲The new version adds a police car that’s popular with children.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-c34419edd9164f042755f54950b9f17e-1200×632.jpg ▲Kakimoto Kozo originally worked on posters for Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. His vehicle drawings are detailed yet warm. ■The moon will say goodnight to you with “Good Night Everyone, New Edition” The moon is going to say goodnight to everyone. Is everyone at the zoo asleep? Are the buses asleep? The moon slowly circles the night sky and eventually comes to the little boy’s house. A new edition of a quiet goodnight picture book (reconstructed from the 1978 book) illustrated by Kakimoto Kozo, the author of “Douzo no Isu.”
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-be322c5be963c951691cece7105cef93-1200×632.jpg ▲The moon slowly circles over the animals, buses, and insects. Eventually, it even comes to my house… ■Comments from Satomi Hasegawa, author of the text, and the editor ★From Hasegawa Satomi I’m very happy to be able to help Kozo Kakimoto hand over his original illustrations, which he drew over 40 or 50 years ago, to children today in a new, revised version. Meeting your first animal while asking, “Who is that?”, learning about the vehicles that run through town while asking, “What is that?”, and closing the book at the end of the day and falling asleep peacefully while saying, “Good night everyone” – I believe these are joys that children who hold picture books in their hands have always felt. I wrote this book in the hope that these rich experiences will continue forever, so please enjoy it for many years to come! ★From Editor in Charge, Nagamine Noriko The first time I saw Kakimoto’s original drawings was around 2012. It was when his wife passed away and his daughter began sorting through his drawings. The closet was piled high with original illustrations, and while some were still in use as picture books, most were from monthly magazines, cuts, or out-of-print picture books, sleeping quietly. A former employee of the company offered to help organize the
illustrations, so I occasionally joined them. Brushing off the dust, I opened the envelopes and peeled back the tracing paper. Once again, I was captivated by the innocent expressions of children and animals, and landscapes that smelled of the sun. The original illustrations for the picture books we have published this time were discovered among these. Each book was published at a different time, and with the permission of the daughter, we have reconstructed them. Hasegawa Satomi wrote lively text, and designers Kusaka and Akabane created a soft yet powerful binding. I am truly happy to have been able to help bring these original illustrations, which have now been reawakened, back to young readers. ■Comments from Monitor Readers ● “What Animal is It?” New Edition This book allowed my child to meet many animals. When we went to the zoo, I told him that the animals appeared in “Who’s That Animal?” and he seemed to understand. He especially liked the page about giraffes, and now he can say, “Giraffe!” I recommend reading this before going to the zoo. “Who’s That Animal?” is rhythmic and fun, and after reading it to me many times, my child started saying “Who’s That Animal?” along with me. Best of all, I love the little lion, he’s so charming! (Mother of a 1-year-8-month-old girl) ● “What’s That Vehicle? New Edition” My son loved the descriptions of car sounds and had fun repeating them over and over again. When he saw an ambulance in town, he repeated the words from the picture book, “Pee-poo, pee-poo, ambulance!” and I could sense that the sound of the words had stayed with him. The soft, familiar images seem to inspire children’s imaginations, and they can check the colors of the police car, saying “white and black,” or happily say, “X-kun’s dad rides a motorbike!” One of the charms of this book is how the expressions in the book can spark conversations that expand rapidly. (Mom of a 2-year-old boy) ● “Goodnight, Everyone, New Edition” In my house, my husband comes home late, so the only time we can spend relaxing together is with a picture book at night to get our son to bed. This picture book ends with “Good night, everyone,” making it perfect for reading before bed. The soft, calming atmosphere of the illustrations naturally soothes the mind as you read. Seeing the animals and shops in the book asleep, my son also went into “sleep mode.” It’s become a favorite book for spending cozy evenings together. (Mom of a 2-year-old boy) ■Original Art Exhibition Commemorating the 110th Anniversary of Kozo Kakimoto’s Birth! An exhibition of original artwork by Kozo Kakimoto, whose 110th birthday will be held in 2025, will be held at the Hiroshima Museum of Art in his hometown of Hiroshima. At the request of his family, most of Kakimoto’s original artwork was entrusted to the Hiroshima Museum of Art. This exhibition celebrates this entrustment and the 110th anniversary of his birth. The theme of this original art exhibition is adorable animals. Kakimoto’s animals, depicted with soft brushstrokes, are all here, including the rabbit from “Douzo no Isu” (The Chair), the bear from the “Donkuma-san” series, and the lion boy from the newly released “Dabutsu Kana (Who’s the Animal?)” (New Edition). The exhibition will feature approximately 140 original drawings, including some of his most famous works, on display for the first time, and will explore the new charms of Kakimoto Kozo.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-cfbaf80d4375182de4c9f578e638c57e-848×1200.jpg [Summary] “New Deposit Commemorative Collection Exhibition: 110th Anniversary of Kakimoto Kozo’s Birth: A Large Gathering of Animals” ◎Location: Hiroshima Museum of Art ◎Dates: Friday, November 7, 2025 – Sunday, December 7, 2025 ◎Closed: November 10th (Monday), 17th (Monday), 25th (Tuesday), December 1st (Monday) ◎Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM) ▶Website:
https://www.hiroshima-museum.jp/collection/collection.html “What’s the Animal? (New Edition),” “What’s the Vehicle? (New Edition),” and “Good Night Everyone? (New Edition)” are now on sale. They’re the perfect first books for 1- to 2-year-olds, and are also great for reading aloud. Please read them with your child at home, at daycare, or at kindergarten. [Author Profile] ★Kakimoto Kozo Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1915. Active in illustrating monthly picture books and other picture books. His major works include the elementary school Japanese textbook “Kujiragumo” (written by Nakagawa Rieko, published by Mitsumura Tosho), “Please Come in” (written by Kayama Yoshiko, published by Hisakata Child), the “Donkuma-san” series (written by Kuratomi Chizuko, published by Shikosha), “Who’s the Animal?” (written by Hasegawa Satomi, published by Gakken), and “Kakimoto Kozo Picture Book Art Collection: The Man Who Makes the Sunshine” (published by Gakken). He passed away in 1998. ★Hasegawa Satomi Born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1980. Studied at the picture book workshop “Atosaki Juku.” In 2012, she won the Grand Prize at the 18th Ohisama Grand Prize. Her main picture books include “See you in the Field” (Bunkeido) and “Rummy the Frog” (BL Publishing), and the picture book she wrote the text for is “Who’s the Animal?” (illustrations by Kakimoto Kozo/Gakken), and her children’s stories include “What Do You Like?” (Akane Shobo) and “Today’s Funif and Tomorrow’s Funif” (Kosei Publishing). [Product Overview]
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-fada532708cde0ebc6811486796b99e7-471×500.jpg ■ “What Animal Is It? New Edition” Illustrations: Kakimoto Kozo, Text: Hasegawa Satomi Price: ¥1,320 (tax included) Release Date: September 11, 2025 Format: 207 x 198 mm / 21 pages Digital version: Planned for release ISBN: 978-4-05-206170-7 ▼Gakken Publishing Site
https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020617000
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-50776df23e6765d95a8e3a2016539936-1139×1200.jpg ■ “What Vehicles Are You? New Edition” Illustrations: Kakimoto Kozo, Text: Hasegawa Satomi Price: ¥1,320 (tax included) Release Date: September 11, 2025 Format: 207 x 198 mm / 21 pages Digital version: Coming soon ISBN: 978-4-05-206171-4 ▼Gakken Publishing Site
https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020617100
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/2535/8208/2535-8208-01481553198448ab97bf2d29f70163ae-1136×1200.jpg ■ “Everyone Good Night New Edition” Illustrations: Kakimoto Kozo, Text: Hasegawa Satomi Price: ¥1,320 (tax included) Release Date: September 11, 2025 Format: 207 x 198 mm / 21 pages Digital version: Planned for release ISBN: 978-4-05-206172-1 ▼Gakken Publishing Site https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020617200 【Purchase this book here】 ▼”Who’s the Animal?” New edition”
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■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.