Sankei Children's Book Award facts for kids

The Sankei Children's Book Award (産経児童出版文化賞, Sankei jido shuppan bunka sho) is a very important and the oldest award for children's books in Japan. It's like a special prize given to the best books for kids.

This award is given out every year. It celebrates the "most distinguished Japanese children's books and picture books" from the year before. The award started in 1954.

The winners are chosen from all the children's books published in Japan during the previous year. The awards are announced on Children's Day, which is May 5th, every year. The award ceremony usually happens in late May or early June. A member of the Japanese royal family, Kiko, Princess Akishino, often attends the ceremony.

What is the Sankei Children's Book Award?

The Sankei Children's Book Award is a big deal in Japan for authors and illustrators who create books for young people. It helps highlight amazing stories and educational books that inspire children. The award encourages people to write and publish high-quality books for kids.

Award Winners: Grand Prize

The Grand Prize is the top award and was first given out in 1961. Here are some examples of books and series that have won this special prize:

Early Winners (1960s-1980s)

• The 8th Award (1961): 世界童話文学全集 1 (Sekai Dowa bungaku Zenshu 1) (World Children's Literature Complete Works Volume 1), published by Kodansha.
• The 10th Award (1963): こどものとも (Kodomo No Tomo) (Children's Friend), published by Fukuinkan Shoten.
• The 11th Award (1964): 科学図説シリーズ（全12巻） (Kagaku Zusetsu Shiriizu) (Science Illustration Series - all 12 volumes), published by Shogakukan.
• The 12th Award (1965): アンデルセン童話全集（全8巻） (Anderusen Dowa Zenshu) (Andersen's Fairytales Complete Works - All 8 Volumes), published by Kodansha.
• The 17th Award (1970): かっぱとドンコツ (Kappa To Donkotsu) (Kappa (folklore) and Dark sleeper), written by Tsubota Joji and published by Kodansha.
• The 20th Award (1973): かちかち山のすぐそばで (Kachi-kachi Yama No Sugu Sobade) (Right Next to Kachi-kachi Yama Mountain), written by Keisuke Tsutsui and illustrated by Yasuo Segawa.
• The 23rd Award (1976): 科学のアルバム（全50巻、別巻2巻） (Kagaku No Arubamu) (Albums of Science - all 50 volumes and 2 separate volumes), published by Akane Shobo.
• The 29th Award (1982): 大どろぼうブラブラ氏 (OoDorobou BuraBuraShi) (Great Thief Mr. Wander), written by Eiko Kadono and illustrated by Akira Odagiri.
• The 30th Award (1983): はじめてであうすうがくの絵本 全3冊 (Hajimete Deau Sugaku No Hon) (The Picturebook for Mathematics for the First Time - All 3 volumes), written by Mitsumasa Anno.
• The 33rd Award (1986): ちくま少年図書館 全100巻 (Chikuma Shonen Toshokan) (Chikuma Boys Library - All 100 Volumes), published by Chikuma Shobo.

More About the Award

The Sankei Children's Book Award is supported by several important organizations in Japan. These include the Sankei Shimbun newspaper, the Fujisankei Communications Group (a large media company), and the Japan Railways Group (a major railway company). Their support helps make sure this award continues to celebrate great children's books.

See also

• Kiko, Princess Akishino - a member of the Japanese imperial family who attends the award ceremony.
• Akemi Chan Fund - a medical fund in Japan that helps children with heart problems.
• Sankei Shimbun - a daily newspaper in Japan that helps present the award.