The sequel to Shinsuke Yoshitake's picture book, "Is This Really an Apple?", which created a sensation in the Japanese picture book industry, has been published!

Since the publication of "Is This Really an Apple?", Yoshitake Shinsuke has been releasing a series of picture books that have become a hot topic.
Yoshitake, who is full of unique ideas and knows children's thoughts well, knocks on the hearts and curiosity of children with the book "Is This Really Me?"
Communicating who you are to others is not easy, even for adults.
When children introduce themselves, it is rare for them to include their physical characteristics (height, weight, etc.), name, and family.
But school, a child's first social life, is a place where they have to think about more than just themselves, their family, and their close friends.
That is, it is a place where I must first let others know who I am, think about us, including myself, and acknowledge that others are different from me.
Every time a new semester starts, I feel both nervous and excited.
If you learn how to look into yourself and introduce yourself in a fun way at times like these, you will be able to enjoy school life with more confidence and ease.


While his previous work, "Is This Really an Apple?", was notable for its ingenuity and unique imagination, "Is This Really Me?" is full of helpful content for children and the adults around them.
The author says this through the child's mouth.
“My grandmother used to say that humans are like trees, each with a different appearance.
“You can’t choose the type of tree you have, since it’s innate, but you can decide how to grow and decorate it.” “The shape or size of the tree doesn’t matter.
“The most important thing is whether or not you like your tree.”
Knowing who you are is the first step to loving yourself and growing beautifully.
The author beautifully explains the importance of self-esteem to children through the story, "Operation Fake Me."


A book that illuminates the question, “Who am I?” from 360 degrees!

A child who looks at the notice board and collects homework and supplies, a child who has to clean up a messy room on his or her own, a child who has to brush his or her teeth by himself or herself before going to bed, and a child who has to hold back tears and endure treatment at the dentist are the first graders of elementary school.
I think first graders are now at an age where they have to do everything on their own, even if they couldn't do it or didn't have to do it in kindergarten.
But these things are difficult.
Even though I know how to do it, I don't want to do it.
But if I don't do it, my mom will nag me.
I'm tired of nagging too. (The author illustrates all these difficult situations with a picture on the front cover of the book.
^ ^) So the main character Ji-hoo makes a decision.
'Oh, I should just buy a robot to replace me and pretend to be me.' But that's not an easy task.
The robot demands a lot from Ji-hoo on the way home.
First, Ji-hoo starts with the things that everyone thinks of when introducing themselves: name, age, family, height, and weight, and then he lists his likes and dislikes, and what he is good at and what he is not good at.
But the robot keeps asking for something unique from Jihoo.
As a result, thinking about yourself is not always easy, nor is it always pleasant.
The idea was to create a robot that would do the annoying work for us.

Ji-hoo, at the robot's request, begins to look into his inner self in ways he had never thought about before.
It makes you think not only about your appearance, hobbies, and special skills, but also about 'yourself in relationships'.
I am me, but I also come to realize that my role and attitude change depending on where and when I am.
When I'm with my family, I act and speak differently than when I'm with my friends.
Also, while I think of myself as a 'cool, fun, and popular kid,' my younger brother might think of me as a 'big brother who doesn't lend me his toys,' or my teacher might think of me as a 'student who's bad at math and clumsy.'
My classmates may think of me as a 'loud, talkative boy'.
Furthermore, Ji-hoo begins to think that even secrets that only occur in his head can become characteristics that distinguish him.
Eventually, Ji-hoo goes so far as to introduce himself as 'I am the only one'.
Why not read this book and discover easy steps to introduce yourself to your children?
You could draw pictures together or list the names of your favorite animals, insects, and plants.
The belief that you know your child best may be shattered.
When children have enough information to know themselves, they become more confident.
Above all, it is a picture book for the whole family that not only allows children and parents to have fun together, but also makes adults who read it together suddenly ask themselves, "Who am I?"