[New Publication Info] We want kids to love vegetables! Over 140,000 copies sold! 'Yasai to Tomodachi Festival' (Story/Art by Ai Iwagami), a spin-off of the popular series, collaborates with Takii & Co.'s home gardening brand 'UETE'!

Over 140,000 copies sold cumulatively! A spin-off of the highly popular 'Yasai no Naritai' picture book series!

Vegetables like green peppers, carrots, eggplants, and tomatoes that children dislike.

Told things like 'I hate green peppers! I like snacks' and 'I hate carrots! I love toys', they work hard to somehow make children like vegetables.

The latest volume in the popular picture book series, featuring the endearing and adorable appearances of these vegetables, is now available.

A collaboration project with Takii & Co.'s home gardening brand 'UETE'!

An experience of 'reading' x 'growing' for parents and children.

In the latest picture book, various vegetables appear and hold a festival, trying their best to become friends with Yuta-kun, who hates vegetables.

This work started as a collaboration project with 'UETE', a home gardening brand from Takii & Co.

By reading the 'picture book' to become familiar with vegetables, and linking it to the experience of actually growing, harvesting, and eating them with the 'vegetable growing kit for parents and children', you can enjoy a food education experience together!

● Introduction to the contents of the picture book 'Yasai to Tomodachi Festival'

'Kids love fruits, but they really don't like vegetables,' say the vegetables. We want kids to love vegetables just like they love fruits! So, they decided to hold a 'Vegetable and Friends Festival'.

Opening food stalls using vegetables and workshops, the festival is a great success.

Then, Yuta-kun, who hates vegetables, arrives with his mom.

'I hate vegetables. I don't want to be friends with you at all!' Yuta-kun refuses to accept the vegetables easily.

Can Yuta-kun and the vegetables ever become friends?

● Bibliographic Information Title: Yasai to Tomodachi Festival Author: Ai Iwagami (Story and Art) Publisher: Iwasaki Shoten Co., Ltd. Price: 1,540 yen (Base price 1,400 yen + tax) Format: A4 variation, 27 pages Distribution Date: April 13, 2026 Release Date: April 15, 2026 ISBN: 978-4-265-15012-0

Iwasaki Shoten Product Page: https://www.iwasakishoten.co.jp/book/b10159934.html Product Introduction Video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QpvvzeEzNDc

● New Publication Commemorative Giveaway Campaign! We will give away the 'Yasai to Tomodachi' vegetable growing kit for parents and children, which allows you to start growing vegetables in your garden or balcony, to 10 winners. Application Deadline: Until 23:59 on Friday, July 31, 2026 For details of the giveaway campaign, please see the campaign band on the product or the URL below. (Scheduled to open at 0:00 on April 13) https://www.iwasakishoten.co.jp/special/naritai/15012/

● 'Yasai no Naritai Picture Book' Series Lineup Story and Art by Ai Iwagami - Green Pepper That Wants to be a Snack - Carrot That Wants to be a Toy - Eggplant That Wants to be a Ghost - Tomato That Wants to be a Friend *Click on each title to go to the bibliographic page!

● Author Profile Ai Iwagami She continues to create works utilizing her experience interacting with children while working as a painting and crafts instructor at an early childhood classroom. Her picture books include 'Ao-oni and the Mysterious Red Thread' (PHP Institute), 'World-Fixing Tengu Squad of 5: Tengururin!', 'Green Pepper That Wants to be a Snack', 'Carrot That Wants to be a Toy', 'Eggplant That Wants to be a Ghost', and 'Chelsea Who Wants to be a Princess' (all from Iwasaki Shoten).

● UETE's Growing Kit for Parents and Children 'Yasai to Tomodachi' We also have a set product consisting of the picture book 'Yasai to Tomodachi Festival' and a growing kit. *Sales start from 10:00 on Wednesday, April 15 For details, please visit the following site. ★ UETE 'Yasai to Tomodachi' Special Page https://uete.jp/pages/yasai-to-tomodachi ★ Picture Book Set Product Sales Page