A Picture Book to Foster Inclusive Classrooms by Gently Explaining the Mechanisms of Stuttering, the Feelings of Those Affected, and Concrete Ways Friends and Teachers Can Help

Godo Shuppan Co., Ltd. will release "Kotone and Cott's Voice Balloon: A Picture Book to Understand Stuttering" (Illustrations and Text by Ono Ono, Commentary by Yoshikazu Kikuchi) in bookstores and online retailers nationwide on June 11, 2026.

Kotone, the protagonist and a first-grader, absolutely hates reading aloud.

This is because stuttering causes her to get stuck on words or draw them out. Every time it's her turn to read in front of everyone, her chest tightens.

Today, Japanese class begins, and it's time for reading aloud.

Just then, Cott, a rabbit character from her favorite game, appears in the classroom. Guided by Cott, Kotone and her classmates embark on a journey into the game world. Suddenly, that world transforms into a "Stuttering Understanding Stage."

Through the game's world, the book introduces the mechanisms of stuttering, the feelings of those who stutter, and concrete ways friends and teachers can interact with them, in a fun and easy-to-understand manner.

<Can be read by first-graders>

During reading time. When it's her turn, the protagonist Kotone becomes unable to speak due to stuttering.

Guided by Cott the rabbit, all the classmates jump into the game world.

However, Kotone is too scared to move, unable to perform as well as everyone else.

Being unable to speak when trying to talk is like not being able to grasp the right timing to jump into a rope.

● Author Information

Ono Ono (Illustrations and Text)

Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1987. A person who stutters and a certified social worker.

After graduating from the Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Social Welfare, she worked as a counselor at a long-term care insurance facility and as a medical social worker at a hospital. She currently works as a care manager.

Her published works include "Stuttering Girl: I Can't Speak Smoothly, But I Work" (Godo Shuppan).

Yoshikazu Kikuchi (Commentary)

Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1978. Ph.D. in Medicine. Physician. Specializes in stuttering.

Graduated from Kagoshima La-Sall High School. Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University. Obtained his doctorate from the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University.

He currently works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Kyushu University Hospital, where he runs one of Japan's few stuttering clinics. He is invited to lecture nationwide to promote awareness of stuttering.

He is a leading expert who energetically engages in the clinical practice, education, and research of stuttering from a physician's perspective.

His numerous books on stuttering include "I am a Stuttering Doctor" (Mainichi Shimbun), "Introduction to Evidence-Based Stuttering Support," "Mom's Support Book for Children's Stuttering," and "Reasonable Accommodations for Stuttering" (all published by Gakuen-sha), and "The World of Stuttering" (Kobunsha Shinsho).

● Bibliographic Information

"Kotone and Cott's Voice Balloon: A Picture Book to Understand Stuttering"

https://www.godo-shuppan.co.jp/book/b676374.html

Illustrations and Text by Ono Ono, Commentary by Yoshikazu Kikuchi

□ List Price = ¥2,200 (excluding tax) □ ISBN Code: 978-4-7726-1600-3

[Amazon] https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4772616004

[Rakuten Books] https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18585362