Celebrating the birth of life. The completion of the one-of-a-kind original picture book "Your Picture Book" and the day author Nagao Takuma carved into Hokuryu Town

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Celebrating the birth of life. The completion of the one-of-a-kind original picture book "Your Picture Book" and the day author Nagao Takuma carved into Hokuryu Town

Outside the window, white snow heralds the arrival of winter in the north. However, inside the reception room of Hokuryu Town Hall, the heat is like midsummer, and the warmth is like spring sunshine.

On Thursday, November 27, 2025, a new treasure was born in Hokuryu Town. It was a one-of-a-kind original picture book, "Your Picture Book," which was given to each newborn baby in the town.

The "Your Picture Book" project began in January 2025 when Mayor Sasaki called on everyone to come up with a plan to celebrate the birth of a new baby with the whole town. Members shared information via email and brainstormed ideas.

After continuing to search online, I came across picture book author Nagao Takuma. After the request was confirmed, Nagao and the other members revised the book repeatedly up to the fifth edition, and the first printing was completed in November.

On this day, picture book author Nagao Takuma, who worked on the production of the book, visited the town. He had a conversation with Mayor Sasaki Yasuhiro, and a bookbinding ceremony was held to express his gratitude. We will report on the conversation, in which both parties' "seriousness" collided and resonated with each other.

"Your Picture Book" First Edition, First Printing, All Pages

We have received permission from picture book author Nagao Takuma to make all pages of his book "Your Picture Book (First Edition)" available online, so we would like to introduce it to you.

The original picture book for your newborn baby will have the baby's name inserted in place of "you," and will include a portrait of the parents and their thoughts on naming the baby.

[Dialogue] The pressure and hope of "creating hearts"

The moment they entered the room, Mayor Sasaki and Mr. Nagao began their conversation. It was not just a business report, but a serious "strategy meeting" between adults for the children who will live in the future.

Nagao:Even within the publishing industry, while magazine sales have been declining, picture books have remained stable. This stability is gradually declining, but smartphones and games are becoming rivals. Even so, the number of parents seeking picture books is increasing.

Mayor Sasaki:I think this picture book is about "creating hearts." I feel a tremendous amount of pressure. The town's policies regarding children must be solid. It is essential that we create an environment in which children can be born. Creating an environment is really important.

Nagao:I've written around 30+ books on commission so far. From local governments, companies, and individuals. When you write a book yourself, you end up deciding the theme and the rules. Like, "I won't use this expression." But when I'm commissioned, I get motivated and think, "I have to write this, so I'll try to do something about it." It's a completely different kind of stimulation. Like, "Are you going to write about this theme?" (laughs). I think it's difficult, but it's fun to write about it.

The mayor's words "create hearts" carry weight. And Nagao's creative spirit shows his enjoyment in the "new expressions" that can only be born from the requested theme. The words of the two men intertwine, weaving together a story that is unique to Hokuryu Town.

[Bookbinding] A one-of-a-kind magic that includes your name

Next came the "Bookbinding Ceremony of Gratitude." Nagao handed over a copy of "Your Picture Book," which still smelled of brand new ink. Inside was a touch of "love" that is unique to Hokuryu Town.

Moderator: Keiko Tsuzuki, Chief of the Children's Life Support Division

Profile of picture book author Takuma Nagao (excerpt from the official website)

• Born in Shizuoka in 1978. Lives in Nagoya. Graduated from Nagoya University of Arts.
• In 2012, he won the Picture Book Grand Prize at the 28th Nissan Children's Story and Picture Book Grand Prix.
• In December of the same year, he published his award-winning work, "Pitchitorita Mayonaka no Circus" (BL Publishing).
• After that, he held "Music and Picture Book Concerts" in various locations, where classical music and picture books were performed together.
• Published works include "Papapapapaan" and "I'm Not a Monster Anymore!"
  　
• Other official picture books by the Aichi Prefectural Police include "Because It's You," "To My Wonderful You," and "Someday, I'm Sure."
• Gifu Prefecture Children's Consumer Education Picture Book "Mimin-chan's Shopping"
• "Iruka Ikegakireta" depicts the disaster in Inuyama City
• Produced the Nagoya City Promotion Foundation's Kamishibai (Paper Theater) show "Hokkari Hokkari Itadakimasu" (Thank you for the warm welcome)
• He has also produced many other books, including "Takkun," a picture book to raise awareness of incurable diseases, and "Hey, Rain," which depicts the life of a rescue dog.
  　
• In 2020, she launched "YOUR STORIES" and has been creating original picture books for individuals, companies, and local governments. She has established a new style of picture book that has never been seen before, depicting a variety of themes such as history, incurable diseases, marriage, kindergarten, childbirth and childcare, bereavement, and children's manners.
  　
• She founded the picture book class "Utrecht" and shares her knowledge of picture books with people who want to create picture books. She also serves as a picture book instructor at the NHK Nagoya classroom and Tsushima Culture Center.

For original picture book production, choose YOUR|STORIES

For original picture book production, choose YOUR|STORIES

A one-of-a-kind picture book that captures precious memories. Special moments in life, bonds with precious family, unforgettable memories, etc. You...

Picture book author Nagao Takuma

The official website of a picture book author based in Nagoya. In addition to publishing picture books, she also hosts workshops on making tote bags, storytimes, solo exhibitions, and more.

Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki: Greetings

"Thank you for coming today to the binding ceremony to celebrate the completion of Hokuryu Town's picture book, 'Your Picture Book.' This picture book will be published and completed only once it has been handed over to the children.

[Thoughts on completing the picture book and vision for "child development"]

Currently, the national government has launched a policy called "Regional Revitalization 2.5" to consider new ways of revitalizing local areas, and Hokuryu Town has set "support for children" as one of its seven pillars. The town is gradually shifting from the previous perspective of "child-rearing (raising by parents)" to a vision of "child development (children growing on their own)."

[Picture books as gifts for children]

What kind of gift can we adults give to children, who are truly treasures that capture my heart? When I thought about this, I decided on a picture book, which would unite the town's aspirations and the artist's. I was looking for someone who could express the essence of Hokuryu, and I met Takuma Nagao, whose aspirations were perfectly matched.

Originally, we had planned to have you come when the sunflowers were in bloom, and we would have discussed the project on-site, but due to scheduling conflicts this was not possible, and we regret that. However, we are very happy that we were able to overcome various difficulties and reach the day of completion.

[The "educational vision" expressed in English]

I had only one request for the production: to include English notation. This is based on the educational vision of Hokuryu Town Superintendent of Education Yoshiki Tanaka. The Hokuryu Department, which is currently applying for special permission from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, has the following three pillars:

• Borealis:Learn about Hokuryu's traditional culture, rice cultivation culture, and lifestyle culture
• Challenge Department:Cultivate a spirit of challenge from an early age
• English Conversation Department:Learn a language that connects you to the world

I hope that one day this picture book will reach children, and I can imagine the smiles on their faces as they enjoy reading it.

We hope that Mr. Nagao, who is now 47 years old, will be able to spend a long time with the children. We look forward to working with him.

Thank you so much for creating such a heartfelt and warm picture book. I think we will have a long relationship, so I look forward to working with you.

We hope that this picture book will become children's first textbook and help them understand Hokuryu Town's culture and its global reach."

Greetings from picture book author Takuma Nagao

[The wishes contained in "Your Picture Book"]

"Normally, picture books are 'everyone's' (those that are widely sold), but this time I wanted to draw a 'picture book just for our family, friends, and this town' - in other words, a special picture book that is not sold to the general public.

I have a strong desire to deliver this picture book to the children born in Hokuryu Town. This town represents the future for these children, and I would like to entrust it with many things.

From the moment they are born, they are given deep attention and welcomed by the local community. I feel that this is exactly how it should be.

I think it's wonderful that people and towns alike celebrate the birth of a child. I hope that children will be born surrounded by such warm love, and that this picture book will be a part of that story.

Even while creating this picture book, there were times when I found myself smiling while drawing, which I think is great."

Finally, Nagao thought about the future of the children of Hokuryu Town and concluded by saying:

"I hope that this picture book will be one that children who see it will say, 'That's my picture book,' and that it will encourage children's hearts.

"I hope this picture book will be something that can be used in many different places to give advice, offer a shoulder to cry on, and be there for people. I'm really grateful for this opportunity," said Nagao.

Picture book production overview: Yayoi Kawamoto, Chief of the Town Future Strategy Division

Welcome to Hokuryu Town! A gift for the baby who will become the town's treasure
The original picture book "Your Picture Book" is now complete

Hokuryu Town (Mayor: Sasaki Yasuhiro) has produced and completed an original picture book, "Your Picture Book," to be given to all babies born in the town. This project is part of the town's key policy of supporting "child-rearing," which is the goal of the town's Regional Revitalization 2.0 initiative. Mayor Sasaki's desire to "give a gift unique to Hokuryu Town to babies, who are the town's treasures," led to the planning of a story that would become a "primal landscape of the heart" unique to Hokuryu Town.

The completed picture book, "Your Picture Book," is a professionally finished hardcover book with 28 pages in total, and the illustrations were done by Nagao Takuma, who is known for his warm touch.

The story features "Himawari Saki-chan," the official mascot of Japan's largest sunflower field, and "Ryu-kun," a character named after the town's legend. It tells a heartwarming tale of a baby (kimi) flying through the sky on the back of a dragon and encountering the beautiful nature and kind people of Hokuryu Town.

In addition, the final page contains a special message from the parents and a handwritten message from Mayor Sasaki, expressing his hopes for the baby's future, saying, "Find Your... Please draw your own picture book," making this a special picture book that is one of a kind in the world.

The first presentation ceremony for this "Your Picture Book" is scheduled to be held in February 2026, when Mayor Sasaki will personally hand it over to the families of babies born this fiscal year. We will also be sharing details of the presentation ceremony with you. Please look forward to it.

Takuma Nagao's autograph

Commemorative photo

Q&A with reporters from the Hokkaido Shimbun and Kita Sorachi Shimbun

Reporter:Please tell us your thoughts about custom picture books, such as "The picture book becomes more interesting when a family or town appears" and "I couldn't help but smile while writing."

Nagao:In the typical picture books you pick up at a bookstore, the main character is someone other than you, but in a custom-made picture book, you are the main character and your family can also appear. It will be a book filled with the joy of being my book. I feel 120% happy when I read it. I write on request from individuals and companies. It's fun to be able to draw for children, so I smile as I write.

Reporter:What was the most important thing to you when making this picture book?

Nagao:Picture books are familiar to children, but many are too small to pick up and read. This book is enjoyable just by looking at the pictures, and as children begin to understand the meaning, they will come to understand that, just like in this book, the town, its people, nature, plants, and animals all bless the life that is born in this town, and it carefully depicts a sense of security.

For example, if you read a book about family love, it will make a child think, "Family is amazing, I love it," and if they come to love their family, they will be proud of their family and be able to live a strong life. I think that's how things will move in a positive direction.

Finally, Nagao joked, "Will it last for 40 years? (laughs)," but continued, "Always, forever. I want to keep it in the library so people can see how much it's grown." He spoke of his hopes for the future.

Snowy Hokuryu and the smiling faces of children

After the ceremony, Nagao toured the town, enjoying lunch at Sunflower Park Hokuryu Onsen and the spectacular snow-capped view from the Observation Hill. He also visited Yawara Nursery School and Shinryu Elementary School.

View Hill

Yawara Nursery School (designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates)

Shinryu Elementary School

As he entered the classroom, Nagao was greeted by the curious eyes of the children. They cheered, "Wow!" and Nagao seemed to return to being a child as he played with them using handmade toys and kendama.

Mayor Sasaki spoke about "creating a good environment." Mr. Nagao spoke about "loving your family."

As if to check the answer, the innocent smiles of the children filled the classroom.

A new story for Hokuryu Town begins with a picture book. It is a testament to the love and determination of the townspeople to go beyond the boundaries of government policy and celebrate and nurture life together.

Every time the children of Hokuryu open their copy of "Your Picture Book," they will know how loved they are and be able to walk with pride. "Your Picture Book" is a one-of-a-kind picture book from Hokuryu Town that can become an anchor for each child's soul. It is filled with boundless love, gratitude, and prayers.

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Click here for 76 photos from the bookbinding ceremony for picture book author Nagao Takuma's "Your Picture Book" >>

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