[Finished] Let's Chat and Discover the World of Beloved Picture Books in Japan - Traditional Japanese Children's Stories and Stories from Around the World!

Foreign families raising children in Japan are likely very interested in what picture books their kids are reading in Japanese households.
I have loved picture books since childhood, and even as an adult, just seeing them brings me comfort. The stories and illustrations of memorable picture books always seem to take me to a world of dreams.
This event will introduce classic picture books that have been cherished and passed down from parents to children in Japanese households, thanks to the volunteers from Otonari-san. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own beloved childhood picture books or those from their hometowns in a casual discussion salon. I am really looking forward to hearing stories about various picture books from around the world.
The term Otonari-san refers to the Otonari-san Family Friend Program (OFP), a communication program that pairs foreign families with Japanese volunteers to foster deeper interactions.
As a foreign resident raising children in Japan, you may be curious about the types of children's stories that Japanese parents read to their kids.
Even as adults, reading or simply browsing through the books we cherished as children can provide a sense of comfort. Stories that leave a lasting impression and illustrations with a unique style will always transport us to a distant fantasy world, no matter our age.
At this event, Otonari-san* volunteers will introduce you to traditional Japanese children’s stories that have been cherished and passed down by Japanese families for generations. In return, please share with us your favorite childhood stories or tales that have been traditionally enjoyed by families in your home country. We look forward to having fun chatting and discovering children’s stories from around the world.
*Otonari-san is a volunteer who works with JII’s “Otonari-san Family Friend Program.” This communication-based program pairs foreign resident families with Japanese volunteers to foster interaction, deepen mutual cultural understanding, and help foreign families adapt to life in Japan.