「子どもたちの素直な眼差しと感受性を大切にする“物語”の聖地をつくる」という思いのもと、世界的建築家の安藤忠雄氏によってつくられた「こども本の森」。
このプロジェクトは広がりをみせ、今では全国に5カ所の施設が誕生し、そのうちの一つ「こども本の森 松山」は昨年7月にオープンしました。
ちなみに当園校長のマリン・バーチは安藤先生のお話を直接聞いて、とても感銘を受けている一人です。
当園からすぐ近くにこのような素晴らしいこども図書館があることをずっと気にしていましたが、今日、やっと入館できました。
一言で言って「本当に素晴らしい、明るい建物、雰囲気、こども目線など」が最高です。90分単位の予約制なので、こどもたちだけで存分に本を楽しみました。
係りの方もとても親切で、色々と本の種類や場所を教えていただき、全員で図書館を探索です。 しばらくすると、子供が目を輝かせて「秘密の基地を見つけた！」と言いに来ました。なるほど、曲線の本棚の間に数名が座る場所があり、ちょうど隠れ家みたいですね。とにかくガラス張りなので明るい、清潔、本を見やすい、寝転んでも読める。窓からは入園式で使用させていただく「萬翠荘」も目の前。 最後にAriel先生が、3冊の本を読んでくれました。英語の本、英語と日本語の本、最後は日本語の本でみんなで英語で説明してあげました。近いのでまた歩いて行きましょうね。
Kodomo Hon no Mori Matsuyama (February 24)
“Kodomo Hon no Mori” (Children’s Book Forest) was created by the world-famous architect Tadao Ando.
His dream was to build a special “story sanctuary” that treasures children’s honest eyes and rich sensitivity.
This project has grown across Japan, and now there are five locations.
One of them, Kodomo Hon no Mori Matsuyama, opened last July.
Our school principal, Marin Burch, once listened to Mr. Ando speak in person and was deeply moved by his ideas. We have always been interested in this wonderful children’s library because it is so close to our school. Today, we were finally able to visit.
In one word, it is truly amazing.
The building is bright, beautiful, and designed from a child’s point of view.
Since visits are by 90-minute reservation only, the children could fully enjoy reading books at their own pace.
The staff members were very kind. They explained the different types of books and where to find them. Together, we explored the whole library.
After a while, one child came running with shining eyes and said, “I found a secret base!”
We saw that between the curved bookshelves, there was a small space where a few children could sit. It felt just like a little hideout.
The building is full of glass, so it is bright and clean. The books are easy to see, and children can even lie down and read.
From the window, we could also see “Bansuiso,” which we will use for our entrance ceremony.
At the end, Ariel-sensei read three books to us:
one English book, one bilingual English-Japanese book, and finally a Japanese book. For the last book, the children helped explain it in English.
It is very close to us, so let’s walk there again soon!
