Um… Please, Take My Seat

by Shigenori Kusunoki

illus. by Taku Kogame

On her day off, a young girl takes the train with her father to the library. As passengers stand, sit, board, and leave, she wants to offer her seat to someone who needs it—but poor timing and shyness keep getting in the way. When an elderly woman boards the train, the girl finally gathers her courage. Told over the course of just a few stops, this warm and thoughtful picture book gently explores empathy, hesitation, and the quiet bravery behind everyday acts of kindness.

19 x 25 cm, 32 pages, Full-colour illustrations
First published November 2025