Picture books on hospital walls?! Katsumi Komagata's picture books are so heartwarming

Do you ever wonder if you are truly needed?

Have you ever felt that way?
It might feel a bit gloomy, but it is actually a small question that everyone carries.

Hello, this is Murakun!
The other day, I was able to borrow Katsumi Komagata's picture books, "Mori no Oishasan" (The Forest Doctor) and "Little Tree," which were created for people with disabilities and those in hospices, from designer Toshimitsu Tadamura.

Who is Katsumi Komagata?

Katsumi Komagata is active in a wide range of fields, including picture book production, publishing, and product development. He is also involved in the design of public facilities, such as the logo for the Fukuoka Dental College Medical and Dental Hospital, graphic design within the Pediatric Medical Center, and the logo and signage system for administrative facilities in Itabashi Ward.

What kind of picture book is "Mori no Oishasan"?

In "Mori no Oishasan," the animals from the book have escaped from its pages (laughs). You can meet them on the walls of the pediatric ward at Kyushu University Hospital. Picture books on hospital walls. Learning that such a hospital exists, I was moved all by myself, thinking what a wonderful and unique hospital it is. I have pasted a link to the hospital's website below so you can see what it's like, so please take a look!!

Reading Komagata's picture books felt like being gently wrapped up; they were warm and rich in the nourishment of words!

"Mori no Oishasan" means "It's okay"

A duck came to consult the forest doctor, an orange dog.

Doctor
What's wrong, Duck?

Duck
There's something wrong with my throat. My voice is always honking. Other birds sing with beautiful voices, so I wonder if there's something wrong with my throat?

Doctor
That's not true. Look, you can make a very loud voice.

Yeah, yeah. What a warm story.
Huh? But is that all?
That's right. The forest doctor doesn't prescribe medicine or give difficult advice. He just talks to the animals who visit, saying, "It's okay" and "Don't worry."

Just like the warm sun shining down, the doctor's words bring warmth to the hearts of the animals.
The worried duck also feels at ease thanks to the doctor's gentle words.

"It's okay."
Such simple words save the anxious animals. He is a very special "doctor" of the forest.

"Little Tree" is a pop-up book!

When you open the book, a little tree pops out! It's like a pop-up card. At first, it's a small sprout, but as time goes by, the tree grows larger, turning pink and then orange.

And appearing in the book are people playing in the shade of the tree.

Children playing under the tree, an old man resting, a dog taking a walk. The tree doesn't realize it is providing a place for them; it just stands dignified.

What is this tree thinking about?
Is it lonely? Does it notice the people behind it?
What kind of existence am I to someone else...

It was very interesting to follow the story along with the tree while thinking about such things.

Eventually, the tree grows large and withers. But the people and dogs who spent time in its shade... they are sad that the tree is gone. The tree, without even realizing it, had been warming and supporting someone's heart... I felt that, and it brought a tear to my eye.

Summary

"The Forest Doctor" was created with the idea that "a hospital should not be a place of isolation, but an environment where children can live normal lives and spend their time with peace of mind" (excerpt from the afterword of "The Forest Doctor").

"Who are you cheering up without even knowing it?"
It could be saying "thank you" at a convenience store register.
It could be saying "thank you for the meal" when leaving a restaurant.
It could be saying "hello" to someone you pass by.
A single word like this might be lightening someone's heart.

Through this picture book, I was made to think about how my own existence can be a source of strength for someone else.

If you are feeling a bit down today... then please, by all means, read this picture book. It will surely lighten your heart!!

Acknowledgments

Ms. Sadamura, thank you so much for lending such a wonderful picture book to a mere first-year university student. Reading the picture book you lent me made my heart feel so warm! Thank you truly for introducing me to such a gentle picture book. I have come to love even more those picture books that wrap themselves around you.

Picture books introduced this time

Titles: "The Forest Doctor", "Little tree"
Author: Katsumi Komagata

[ONE STROKE]
Kyushu University Hospital | Pediatric Ward Design Katsumi Komagata