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Picture books that help children
What is Kizuna Education?
to succeed and live harmoniously in a global society
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Nakanouri, Friends Again’, the first book in the Kizuna Picture Book Series
An introduction to ‘Nakanouri’
ABOUT Kizuna Education
“Kizuna” is the Japanese word for human bonds or connections between people. The "KIZUNA education" picture book series was created to help children learn about “relationship building” naturally, to help them live harmoniously in society and to achieve their personal goals through cooperation with others; vital skills in today’s global society. Learning these skills early in life is necessary for full social development. Moreover, these skills, also known as ‘relationship management’ are core to successful public relations. One of our key missions at JPRI (Japan Public Relations Institute, Inc.) is to help spread the concept of Kizuna globally, and throughout society.
BOOKS Nakanaori (Friends Again)
Nakanaori (Friends Again)
Walking early one morning, Bear sees a house being built by Beaver and wants to build one too. Bear finds cut logs in the forest and starts taking them, when Beaver runs up shouting, “Bear, Bear, those are my logs! Give them back!” Bear ignores Beaver and walks away. He starts to build a house, but just can’t do it by himself. All alone without a friend, Bear starts to cry. Just when all seems lost, Old Grandmother Squirrel comes to teach him the magical NAKANOURI, “friends again,” song. Bear starts to sing, and then…
Recommendations
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Ambassador Uiichiro Niwa
Professor at Waseda University. Professor, Chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association, Public Utility Corporation, Chairman of the Global Business Association
"Nakanaori" means hope for a world in which conflict is replaced with harmony. There are many people in the world with various ideas and with conflicting opinions, this leads to misunderstanding and conflict. In such a world, there is an urgent need for "Nakanaori."
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Mr Yoshiki Otake
Founder ＆ Executive Advisor, AFLAC Japan. Founder of AFLAC JAPAN (American Family Life Assurance Company), and former Executive Advisor.
"I was born in a mountain village in Hiroshima, and every day for four hours I walked around the mountain. On rainy days, windy days, and even on snowy days, I would go to elementary school and then back home again. "Nakanaori" is a word that brings back nostalgic memories of my childhood [...]. Let the people of the world all learn to say "NAKANAORI."
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"In the nursery school fighting and reconciliation are an almost a daily routine, but through this picture book children can learn to expand their view of the world beyond just themselves. Children can enjoy the story and as they sing together the book’s song they can learn about the feelings of others. “
Nursery School teacher
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"While reading this picture book, I noticed that it reflected the experiences of children in my class. On any given day there may be a disagreement, with many children playing the role of the Bear and finding it difficult to reconcile and be friends again […]. I love the lyrics of the song and want the children to hear the story and sing the song over and over again.”
Nursery school teacher
SERIES
“Kizuna” Picture Book Series are written to give very young children an understanding of how to create bonds with other people, a skill vital to a harmonious world and personal success; a crucial skill in public relations and “relationship management”.
