New Release: 'Sakadachi Wani,' Grand Prize Winner of the 2nd YOMO Picture Book Award, to Be Released on June 30!

YOMO Site Product Page for 'Sakadachi Wani': https://www.yomo-ehon.com/products/2673

Nicomomo Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kotaro Inuyou), a 100% subsidiary of Koyo-sha Co., Ltd., will release a new picture book titled 'Sakadachi Wani' (text by Yoshie Koyama, illustrations by Ashita) on June 30, 2026 (Tue).

This picture book is the Grand Prize-winning entry in the 2nd YOMO Picture Book Award, which received over 200 submissions.

The book will be available through the YOMO website, Amazon, e-hon, and various bookstores (please contact individual bookstores regarding availability).

Results Announcement Page for the 2nd YOMO Picture Book Award

https://www.yomo-ehon.com/contest/ehon_contest2

Synopsis

A pink crocodile doing a handstand shows up at my house.

When I say 'Hello,' the pink crocodile replies, 'Goodbye.'

I wonder why. When I next say, 'Let's play'...

Message from Author Yoshie Koyama

Speaking from the crocodile's upside-down perspective: sad, boring, unpleasant feelings!

I'm delighted that 'Sakadachi Wani' has won the Grand Prize in the 2nd YOMO Picture Book Award. I hope you'll pick up a copy.

Whether parent and child, siblings, friends, or even not friends,

please try playing with words upside-down, just like me and the handstanding crocodile!

Message from Illustrator Ashita

When I received the manuscript for 'Sakadachi Wani,' I had just finished writing a picture book called 'Wanikotori' (Crocodile Bird).

Connected by crocodiles, and with the publisher being Nicomo—it feels like a chain of coincidences. I sensed some kind of fate.

With 'Sakadachi Wani,' the story and the play begin the moment you open the book.

And the fun continues even after you close it. Let's argue again soon! (While standing on our heads)

By the way, there's a cardboard train featured in the book. Can you guess which train line it is?

Author Biographies

Text: Yoshie Koyama

A picture book author and workshop designer, Koyama is drawn to the sound and rhythm of words and continues to create works exploring these elements. She also designs and facilitates workshops for universities, companies, and local communities. In 2025, she won the Grand Prize in the 2nd YOMO Picture Book Award with this work.

Illustrations: Ashita

Born in Tokyo. After working at a publishing company, Ashita is currently employed at an IT company. Ashita has illustrated corporate picture books and designed textbook covers for career education. Winner of the Grand Prize in the Vestax turntable design contest. In 2025, won the Grand Prize in the 2nd YOMO Picture Book Award with this work.

Publication Details

Title: Sakadachi Wani

Text: Yoshie Koyama

Illustrations: Ashita

Publisher: Nicomomo Co., Ltd.

Price: 1,540 JPY (1,400 JPY + tax)

Format: B5

Pages: 32 pages

Release Date: June 30, 2026

ISBN: 978-4-86828-800-8

YOMO Site Product Page:

https://www.yomo-ehon.com/products/2673

● Ehon Navi

https://www.ehonnavi.net/ehon00.asp?no=316353

● Amazon

https://amzn.asia/d/01EmWOZp

Ongoing Picture Book Award: 'Children's Safety Picture Book Award Sponsored by Sony Insurance'

URL: https://www.yomo-ehon.com/contest/other_contest_202608

About the Picture Book Online Store 'YOMO'

YOMO is a platform where anyone—professional or amateur—can upload, preview, sell, and purchase original picture books.

By registering for a free account, users can preview all pages of each book once. Books are printed and bound on demand and delivered directly to customers.

You can also upload and sell your original picture books for free, either as digital files or original artwork.

URL: https://www.yomo-ehon.com/

Company Overview

Company Name: Nicomomo Co., Ltd. (100% subsidiary of Koyo-sha Co., Ltd.)

Address: 5F, Yushima Medical Center Building, 2-21-2 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Representative: Kotaro Inuyou

Founded: April 1, 2019 (Reiwa 1)

Capital: 25 million JPY

Business: Picture book business

URL: http://www.nicomo.co.jp/

Media Inquiries Regarding This Announcement

Contact Form: https://www.yomo-ehon.com/contacts#contact_form