5:15 PM - 6:45 PM
[MZZ46-P11] Creation and dissemination of a picture book for children introducing Hakone Geopark
Keywords:picture books, introductory books for infants and children, geoparks
Since its accreditation in 2012, Hakone Geopark has been producing educational materials for children. Through supplementary readers for social studies and brochures, the goal is to help them learn about the area's attractions and take pride in the region. However, all of the materials were intended for middle grade students at elementary school and above, and no introductory materials were created to introduce children to the origins of the entire region in a narrative format. Therefore, we created a picture book as an educational material to promote the Geopark to infants and children.
The completion process was presented at the Japan Geopark National Convention held in October 2023 (Kurashina et al., 2023), and received high interest, evaluation, and development ideas from various organizations. This report focuses on the dissemination activities after the completion.
Picture Book Overview
First, we will give an overview of this picture book based on (Kurashina et al., 2023). The target age is 4 years and older. The aim is to "make it easy to convey to children from the perspective of the child-rearing generation." In this story, the Hakone Geopark mascot character "Hako Jiro" acts as a guide and commentator, taking visitors back in time to experience how the landscape we live in was formed.
We have tried to convey the history of the area in an easy to understand and smooth manner. For this reason, things that are important but would interrupt the flow of the story are deliberately left out of the text.
For example, on the ecology of the common orient clam (Meretrix lusoria) and the formation of fossils, we sought advice from Kiminori Taguchi, curator of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, and paid close attention to every detail. On the other hand, we also focused on clarity, such as anthropomorphizing the depiction of a volcanic island pushing up marine layers.
Illustrations were created using Adobe's Illustrator, Fresco. Royalty-free images were also used. We have printed three hundred copies and are distributing, lending, and reading to local elementary schools, kindergartens, daycare centers, and libraries.
Developing new dissemination activities
The series of activities was featured in NHK's information program "Hirumae Hot" (broadcast on December 5, 2023). The program, which aired for about six and a half minutes, showed a reading session in the 4th grade of Fukuzawa Elementary School in Minami-Ashigara Municipality, interviews with the children, etc., and received a great response, especially from local bookstores, parenting support groups, and the parenting generation. For example, a piano school in Odawara City that contacted us keeps picture books on its shelves and lends them to students.
Since then, reading to elementary school students has continued, and in FY2023, six classes of first, fourth, and sixth graders, a total of about 190 students, have received the program. The remaining grades will be implemented in the following fiscal year.
For preschoolers, an A2-size picture story show and a picture book specially designed for reading to children have also been created. At several kindergartens, children are already enjoying listening to the picture story shows. At the Mutsumi Kindergarten in Minami-Ashigara City, a quiz on volcanoes and magma and an experiment to float a pumice stone on water were conducted before and after the picture story show. The event was a remarkable success, with children and teachers alike asking questions and expressing surprise.
For Hakone Geopark supporters, a reading class with a specialized teacher is planned for March.
In addition, a new eBook version has been created. It can be viewed, shared and downloaded.
https://www.hakone-geopark.jp/information/newa20231023.html
Based on these examples and responses, we will promote sustainable activities and prioritize areas that have not been able to spread.
The completion process was presented at the Japan Geopark National Convention held in October 2023 (Kurashina et al., 2023), and received high interest, evaluation, and development ideas from various organizations. This report focuses on the dissemination activities after the completion.
Picture Book Overview
First, we will give an overview of this picture book based on (Kurashina et al., 2023). The target age is 4 years and older. The aim is to "make it easy to convey to children from the perspective of the child-rearing generation." In this story, the Hakone Geopark mascot character "Hako Jiro" acts as a guide and commentator, taking visitors back in time to experience how the landscape we live in was formed.
We have tried to convey the history of the area in an easy to understand and smooth manner. For this reason, things that are important but would interrupt the flow of the story are deliberately left out of the text.
For example, on the ecology of the common orient clam (Meretrix lusoria) and the formation of fossils, we sought advice from Kiminori Taguchi, curator of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Natural History, and paid close attention to every detail. On the other hand, we also focused on clarity, such as anthropomorphizing the depiction of a volcanic island pushing up marine layers.
Illustrations were created using Adobe's Illustrator, Fresco. Royalty-free images were also used. We have printed three hundred copies and are distributing, lending, and reading to local elementary schools, kindergartens, daycare centers, and libraries.
Developing new dissemination activities
The series of activities was featured in NHK's information program "Hirumae Hot" (broadcast on December 5, 2023). The program, which aired for about six and a half minutes, showed a reading session in the 4th grade of Fukuzawa Elementary School in Minami-Ashigara Municipality, interviews with the children, etc., and received a great response, especially from local bookstores, parenting support groups, and the parenting generation. For example, a piano school in Odawara City that contacted us keeps picture books on its shelves and lends them to students.
Since then, reading to elementary school students has continued, and in FY2023, six classes of first, fourth, and sixth graders, a total of about 190 students, have received the program. The remaining grades will be implemented in the following fiscal year.
For preschoolers, an A2-size picture story show and a picture book specially designed for reading to children have also been created. At several kindergartens, children are already enjoying listening to the picture story shows. At the Mutsumi Kindergarten in Minami-Ashigara City, a quiz on volcanoes and magma and an experiment to float a pumice stone on water were conducted before and after the picture story show. The event was a remarkable success, with children and teachers alike asking questions and expressing surprise.
For Hakone Geopark supporters, a reading class with a specialized teacher is planned for March.
In addition, a new eBook version has been created. It can be viewed, shared and downloaded.
https://www.hakone-geopark.jp/information/newa20231023.html
Based on these examples and responses, we will promote sustainable activities and prioritize areas that have not been able to spread.