ASPJ
Deepening the bond between parents and children and communicating about hair loss in a fun way ~Picture book project~
A picture book and read-aloud animation will be released to help children who are born with less hair or who suffer from hair loss during childhood understand themselves and think, “It’s okay just the way I am!”
……
~ “Pon-chan with a smooth head” – An opportunity to encourage parents and children with a bright future ~
“Children have to deal with the hardships of not having or having little hair on a daily basis.
I wish there was a picture book that would make you smile and give you courage that you have a future like this.
I thought it would be an opportunity to read aloud to them and give them courage. ”
From the words I received from the parents of the children involved. We started production with the aim of creating a picture book that helps people imagine their own strengths and a bright future. It’s hard because my hair is different from everyone else’s. This is a picture book that parents and the adults around them can use to convey to their children that there are things that Pon-chan can do, and that each and every person has that potential.
Please read “Popopono Pon de Niconico Deliver” with parents and children, schools, kindergartens, nursery schools, etc.
■Purpose of the project
In 2023, we will create a hair disease support handbook to educate educators about the current state of hair loss and countermeasures, and will reach approximately 3,500 people through lectures to boards of education and educators. We are delivering.
We have also sent out individual copies to around 280 people, and they are being read by parents and families of children with hair loss. However, children who are born with hair loss or have suffered from it during childhood have come to understand that it’s okay to stay the way they are! There aren’t many picture books out there that make you think, so we wanted to create one ourselves, with the help of parents of children with hair loss (ASPJ Parent Community 60 Groups, Congenital Frizzy Hair Disorder/Oligotrichosis Network Kanhana no Kai Community), etc. I thought about the story. It is composed of cute pictures and rhythmic words so that even small children can enjoy it. Through the Hair Disease Support Handbook and picture books, we will help children learn about hair diseases, and by using animation, we will create a system that allows children to see and feel them themselves. In addition, we would like to promote understanding of hair diseases among a wide range of people by holding lectures and reading activities by people affected by hair loss.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-a12e39325461dca4ae33-3.jpg&s3=83154-14-6f24597d8ff5ae07f61e2b54e1af57c2-2539×2539.jpg] ■Project content (picture book)
Title: “Popopono Ponde Niconico Deliver”
Pon-chan, a girl with alopecia, and her partner, Fuu-chan, solve various people’s problems with Popoponopon. Pon-chan can change your hairstyle with a wig, or take off your wig and put on a nice hat, or whatever your problem is, she will give you a wonderful item. As everyone smiles and everyone starts skipping, it becomes a huge parade where many people enjoy their favorite hairstyles.
We not only convey the idea that no hair equals a wig, but also that there are various options, such as cute hats, having everyone enjoy wigs, and arranging a smooth head in a nice way, and that it is “your freedom”.
When adults and children around them read the book, they are not concerned with whether the individuality of hair loss is “a disease and a painful thing” or “that individuality has special power,” but rather with the various circumstances surrounding the individual, such as appearance, personality, and circumstances. The structure is designed to remind the child that everything is a source of wonderful power that is unique to the child, and to have a conversation about the child’s potential.
■Picture book production
The picture book was produced by the NPO Alopecia Style Project Japan (ASPJ), which was selected for the LUSH Charity Bank grant from LUSH Japan LLC.
Osamu Yazawa of E-Smiley Co., Ltd. and Tsugumi Sasaki of Shibuya Ward SDGs Association
With the cooperation of SCRAMBLE COLORS, a 30-person picture book project team that connects Shibuya, to which the two belong, “Shibuya” is one of the themes. In September 2023, we held Japan’s first Shibuya Hair Loss Parade and awareness event. We aim to change the perception of hair loss by including pictures of the streets of Shibuya and scenes from this event in picture books, donating them to
kindergartens, nursery schools, elementary schools, etc. in Shibuya Ward, and having them read aloud by those involved.
Illustration: Eichi
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-5639b8737f9c13ed91d9-8.png&s3=83154-14-6051daf39bf38360ca98c589ad4a0952-1920×1080.png ]
The cityscape of Shibuya is expressed in a picture book based on the hair loss awareness parade held in 2023.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-ded5471de40b7dbc5e82-8.jpg&s3=83154-14-683784c2af3f6fcec982238477c662c0-3900×2600.jpg] Parade around Shibuya Station (September 2023)
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-57b2cc026d601769e775-7.jpg&s3=83154-14-4b448b5c69a531b6a50452011110bebc-3900×2600.jpg] Parade around Shibuya Station (September 2023)
■Courtesy visit to Shibuya Ward Mayor
Shibuya Ward has the slogan “A city that turns differences into strengths.” We paid a courtesy visit to Ken Hasebe, Mayor of Shibuya Ward, and delivered the completed picture book “Popopono Ponde Niconico Deliver”.
[Image 5: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-2a964d9c5ecfbc0026ed-1.jpg&s3=83154-14-df704b1cbc946a58ff67a1cb09f9e61d-3196×2397.jpg] Commemorative photo taken with Ward Mayor Hasebe in the middle Outline of courtesy visit
Date and time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Location: Shibuya Ward Office
Attendees:
SCRAMBLE COLORS
NPO Alopecia Style Project Japan (ASPJ)
Congenital frizz/oligotrichosis network Kanka no Kai
Contents: Picture book introduction
■Courtesy visit to the superintendent of Shibuya Ward Board of Education On Wednesday, July 3rd, I went to Shibuya Ward Office and introduced the picture book to Superintendent Ito.
We will be donating educational materials about hair loss to elementary schools in Shibuya Ward, and in the future we will provide opportunities for children to learn about hair loss as part of inquiry learning such as the “Shibuya Future Course” and human rights education. That’s what I’m aiming for.
[Image 6: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-ca91efd59cf56b62f7cf-2.png&s3=83154-14-c9d197b098c6d2d060d98cccdb90bfeb-484×415.png ]
Commemorative photo taken with Superintendent Ito in the middle Outline of courtesy visit
Date and time: Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Location: Shibuya Ward Office
Attendees:
SCRAMBLE COLORS
NPO Alopecia Style Project Japan (ASPJ)
Contents: Support handbook, picture book introduction, lecture introduction ■Picture books and animation reading videos about hair loss
With the cooperation of E-Smiley Co., Ltd., on the picture book reading video channel “Kidstube” with 78,000 subscribers and over 1 million views per month.
https://www.youtube.com/@kidstube_ch
A reading video of “Popopono Ponde Niconico Deliver” has been released. https://youtu.be/F3rw4s7q41s?feature=shared
[Image 7: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-74ca55bec189bde5ddb4-6.jpg&s3=83154-14-960041b9fdb48d4ef1bbc45c1cdfb9de-1920×1080.jpg]
■Implementation status of hair loss awareness activities (through support handbooks and picture books)
Voices of those involved
“Until now, I had never talked about my hair at work, but I got the support handbook at a social gathering and took the plunge to explain it to the teachers at the nursery school where I work.
Then, I had the opportunity to speak to the children at the nursery school, and I was able to reflect on myself as well.
I was able to convey this to my children as well.
I never expected to come out like this in my life, but it also gave me an opportunity to think about human rights issues, and people ask me to come out every year. ”
[Image 8: https://prtimes.jp/i/83154/14/resize/d83154-14-d5f2f56c3f70f56e5a70-0.png&s3=83154-14-b2b5d76315b5a28ccd38313da5034fed-1068×610.png ]
voices of parents and children
“Pon-chan’s cute magic and songs are easy to remember, and even 3-year-old children happily say “Popopon no Pon.” I think that as children get older, the way they think and their parents change, but when I asked them how they feel now through this picture book, I was able to hear that their parents really care about their children, and that they love this wonderful thing about them. I think it would be great if I could convey this to you every time. ”
Voices other than those involved
“I listened to a lecture and knew about people with alopecia because I knew people around me, but this was the first time I learned that there are symptoms such as oligotrichosis and alopecia.About a year later, my son entered elementary school. At the time, I had a child with oligotrichosis, so I was able to deepen my understanding of this along with the support handbook, so I decided to pass it on to my son in a way that he could understand. .”
“I had a friend who had suffered from hair loss, so I invited her to participate in a hair loss awareness event.I was happy that she came out, and I was also happy that I was able to understand hair loss together with my children.
When I returned to my hometown, I noticed that an acquaintance was wearing a wig, and I heard that she suddenly lost her hair a few months ago. Since I knew that there were some stylish hats out there, I was able to choose a cute hat to give as a gift. ”
■Supporting companies
Priscilla Co., Ltd.
Berry & Rose Co., Ltd.
Kao Corporation
Shibuya Shimbun/Harajuku Omotesando Shimbun
Crossover Co., Ltd. (Aquador)
Kyoetsu Co., Ltd. (Bright Lara)
Luan Co., Ltd. (Super Million Hair)
■Related data/survey
April 19, 2023 (Wednesday) to April 30, 2023 (Sunday) “Hair Disease Awareness Survey” questionnaire conducted
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000007.000083154.html
■Related parties/materials
・NPO Alopecia Style Project Japan (ASPJ) https://aspj.site/
・Congenital Frizzy Trichotria and Oligotrichosis Network Kannanokai https://www.kannanokai.com/
・Hair Disease Support Handbook Website https://aspj.site/shb/ ・2023 hair loss awareness event/parade report
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/670376/activities/519563
■Collaborative production/supervision
SCRAMBLE COLORS
30 People Connecting Shibuya (30 People Connecting General
Incorporated Association)
https://www.project30.or.jp/
■Illustration
Aichi https://a-ichi.jp/
■Printing/binding/video production
E-Smiley Co., Ltd.
https://esmiley.co.jp/
■Subsidy
LUSH Japan LLC “LUSH Charity Bank”
https://weare.lush.com/jp/lush-life/our-giving/charity-pot/charitybank-guideline/ -Related articles-
Mainichi Shimbun: Hair disease NPO handbook 1000 copies in Oita City Children’s troubles, support at school… Teachers learn first / Oita https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230930/ddl/k44/040/226000c
・Education Newspaper https://www.kyobun.co.jp/article/20230707-01