There are joys and sorrows: Every little thing has meaning, and we must keep thinking as long as we live!

★ 2024 Good Books for All - Best Children's Books
★ 2024 Kinokuniya Kinobes! Kids - 1st Place
★ 2023 MOE Picture Book Award - 2nd Place
★ The 11th Shizuoka Bookstore Award - Children's Book New Release Category - 2nd Place

A wonderful taste is sweet with a hint of bitterness.
A good story makes you laugh with a tear in your eye.

Three short stories to discuss with children,
Life has its ups and downs,
All are the most beautiful gifts.

1. "The Broken Plate"
　　
The younger brother accidentally breaks his older sister's plate…
The younger brother feels very sorry,
But why doesn't the older sister care?
Although precious items are meant to be kept forever,
There are actually more important things in the world…
 
2. "The Dirty Snowman"

The snowman is dirty,
He knows that as soon as winter ends,
He will melt away and disappear,
So he starts talking to himself…
Why do I exist in this world?
If I could, would there be another choice?
 
3. "The Boring Movie"

The siblings finish watching a boring movie,
The younger brother worries, what if his future life
Is always filled with boring things?
At this moment, the older sister offers a different perspective,
Perhaps the world is not as people think!
 
＊Includes Zhuyin

About the Author

Shinsuke Yoshitake
 
Born in 1973 in Kanagawa Prefecture. He completed his master's degree in Integrated Arts at the Graduate School of Art and Design, University of Tsukuba. He excels at capturing fleeting glimpses of daily life and approaching them from his unique perspective. His works span various fields, including sketchbooks, children's book illustrations, decorative art, and advertising art.

His major works include "Is This an Apple? Maybe So," "It's Stuck," "Pee-Pee Tarou," "Guess What I'm Doing," "Mimi, Oh Mimi," "Even Though My Hair is a Mess," "Where Am I Now?," and "Daily Whimsy" (published by Suncolor). He is a father of two sons.