Picture Book 'How Kaiju Spru Regained Happiness' Addresses Children's Struggles with Smartphones, Social Media, and Friendships, Releasing July 23

PIE International (Toshima City) will release the latest installment in the 'Monsters and Doctors Work Together' series, 'How Kaiju Spru Regained Happiness' (written by Hiroyuki Arai, supervised by Masahide Usami), on July 23.

Synopsis

A story supporting children who find it difficult to interact with friends

Today, many children struggle with attending school. Increasing numbers of children may be losing confidence or feeling down due to anxieties about relationships or fears from online experiences. This picture book tells the story of Kaiju Spru, who gradually regains his sense of self amid such feelings. It gently guides children to recognize their own strengths and reassures them, 'You are perfectly okay just as you are.' This is a heartfelt picture book for children struggling with school refusal or interpersonal issues.

Book Overview

Title: 'How Kaiju Spru Regained Happiness: Monsters and Doctors Work Together 3 – Dealing with Depression and Inferiority'

Format: B5 modified (250×210mm) / 42 pages (full color) / hardcover

Price: ¥1,600 + tax

ISBN: 978-4-7562-6172-4 C8793

Author: Hiroyuki Arai / Supervised by: Masahide Usami

Release Date: July 14, 2026

Publisher: PIE International

Author Biographies

Hiroyuki Arai

Picture book author and designer. Graduated from the Design Department at Tokyo Zokei University. Gained popularity through the 'Open, Open Picture Book' series, inspired by playing with his two daughters. The series has been published overseas and is beloved by children both in Japan and abroad. His picture book works include 'Refrigerator,' 'Toilet,' 'Box' (Gakudosha), 'Various Grandmas' (Ehon no Mori), 'Goodnight' (Doshinsha), 'Chuuchuu Takokaina' (Kodansha), 'Black and White' (Iwasaki Shoten), 'Isee no Baa' (KADOKAWA), 'Ghost and Pancake' (Kumon Publishing), 'Tsun!' (Horupu Publishing), and many others. Illustration work includes the 'Monkey Joe' series (Froebel-kan) and the 'Percy Jackson' series (Horupu Publishing). He has continued drawing ever since his grandmother was delighted by a drawing of a chick he gave her at age three.

Masahide Usami

Child psychiatrist. Director of the Comprehensive Center for Children's Mental Health, National Kōbunodai Medical Center, National Institute of Health Crisis Management Research; Chief of the Department of Child Psychiatry; Director of the Psychological Guidance Room. Certified specialist and supervisor in child and adolescent psychiatry by the Japanese Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, certified specialist and supervisor in children's mental health, and certified supervisor for the MHLW Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training Program. Publications include 'Clinical Notes of a Child Psychiatrist' (Jiho) and the supervised translation of 'Workbook for Fostering Children's Grit' (Iwasaki Gakujutsu Shuppan).

Reader Feedback

We received heartfelt responses from readers who previewed the book!

※In no particular order

Social media didn't exist when we were children. We've struggled daily with how to explain its dangers to our kids, but this book presents the risks in a very clear and accessible story. It also clearly outlines how to rest when emotionally drained and the practical steps to regain happiness. I truly hope this book reaches children. May it deepen understanding and make life easier for those who are suffering now, and for those surrounded by suffering children.

(Chimu Mama)

My daughter and I were completely absorbed and thoroughly enjoyed it. She said, 'If I ever lose my energy, I think I could feel better by waiting for excitement to come down from the sky, just like Spru and Tickle did!' Even adults (maybe especially adults!) sometimes feel emotionally drained. In those moments, I want to remember to name negative thoughts, count small achievements, and wait patiently without rushing.

(Spru Lover)

I was hoping to learn emotional regulation together with my child. It was very clear what to do when feeling down or when something unpleasant happens. Many 'excitement methods' were introduced, and we discussed them together with my child—'We've done this,' 'We haven't tried this yet'—as we read.

(Gururi)

I felt this is an essential book for everyone, from children to adults, living in modern society.

(Pemu)

With the spread of social media, it can serve as a protective charm for anyone struggling with complex relationships, and it's a book that gives you a push to say, 'I am perfectly fine as I am!!' I'm so glad to have discovered this wonderful book!!

(No-sensei)

Series Introduction

'How the Monsters Overcame the Crisis' by Hiroyuki Arai, supervised by Yuriko Morino

A humorous prescription for the fearful

A picture book created by a picture book author and a doctor for children living in the future. Injections, darkness, being excluded, speaking in front of others—life is full of scary things. Together with fearful monsters, we explore ways to coexist with anxiety and fear. What are the special methods to make nervousness and unease your allies?

https://pie.co.jp/book/i/5535/

'How Kaiju Popori Overcame Anger' by Hiroyuki Arai, supervised by Jun Okada

A prescription to make life easier for short-tempered people

Kaiju Popori is always angry. One day, after a big fight with a friend, Popori is rampaging alone when the Master of Anger, Kaiju Pwise, appears... Through this humorous picture book, Popori learns to face his emotions and manage anger without exploding. The long-awaited second volume in the 'Monsters and Doctors Work Together' series on emotions!

https://pie.co.jp/book/i/5775/

【Inquiries about the book】

PIE International 2-32-4 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0005 TEL: 03-3944-3981 Website: https://pie.co.jp/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pieinternational X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/PIE_Children Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pie__ehon/