Imagination is one of the most important faculties for the sound growth of children who will be tomorrow's leaders. Nissan's activities to foster the imagination of children began with the Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix. Through contacts with specialists and NPO representatives, these activities have expanded today to encompass a wide spectrum of collaborative endeavors.

Grand Prix poster

This contest for amateur authors and illustrators of children's literature has been held annually since 1984 with the aim of providing children with good storybooks and picture books that inspire their dreams and imagination. Another aim is to discover and publicize outstanding works and writers of children's literature. Conducted in cooperation with the International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka, the contest attracts around 4,000 entries every year from all over Japan. The winning entries of the Storybook Grand Prize and Picture Book Grand Prize are published and copies are donated by Nissan dealers to about 3,400 libraries throughout Japan. Since 1990, Nissan offices have also been donating copies to local kindergartens and nursery schools, numbering about 720 combined. Over 93,000 books have been donated to date. Due to the nature of commercial publishing, new writers encounter various hurdles in the field of children's literature. Giving the Grand Prize winners a chance to have their works published provides a valuable opportunity for launching a professional writing career. In 1999, Nissan began holding a creative seminar in which the contest judges personally advise the winners of the different prizes. This is one follow-up activity that has been initiated for nurturing new authors. The prize-winning entries are always highly acclaimed for their exceptionally excellent quality. This contest is now widely regarded as a gateway to a professional career for aspiring writers and illustrators.

Published works Some Grand Prize-winning works have even been selected for use in elementary school Japanese language textbooks. Donating books to kindergartens near Nissan offices

Nissan Storytelling Circle Folktales are a precious legacy of oral literature depicting the growth of humankind. Listening to a recitation of folktales stirs the imagination, bringing to each listener's mind manifold images. Since 1992, Nissan and its dealers have co-organized the Nissan Storytelling Circle to promote a better understanding of the significance of folktales.

Children's workshop This event was initiated at the National Children's Castle in Tokyo in 1992 to introduce to the public the prize-winning entries of the Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix and other outstanding children's books. The work of planning, organizing and conducting the exhibition, specifically designed to be stimulating and enjoyable for children, is done in cooperation with the staff specialists at the National Children's Castle. In addition to displaying many outstanding storybooks and picture books, creative workshops for children are also held. This exhibition is now a popular spring vacation event, attracting some 30,000 children and parents every year. Nissan employee volunteers and children together enjoy the experience of being creative in the workshops, which make the most of the company's position as a vehicle manufacturer. Scrap materials at Nissan are recycled to make exhibits for display and for use as workshop materials. Nissan employees knowledgeable in design and craftsmanship also take part in conducting the workshops.

Support Programs

Hans Christian Andersen Awards The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) presents the Hans Christian Andersen Awards biennially to an author and an illustrator who have contributed significantly to children's books. Since 1992, Nissan has been the main sponsor of these most illustrious international awards for children's books, dubbed the "Little Noble Prizes" of children's literature.

photo : Hironobu Hosogaya Saito Kinen Festival in Matsumoto-Concert for Children The Saito Kinen Orchestra, conducted by Seiji Ozawa, puts on a free concert for the children of Nagano prefecture where this annual festival is held. Nissan has supported this series of concerts since 1992.