Riko the Thorny Grass: Children Book

Riko the Thorny Grass is a digital storybook project that explores themes of resilience, empathy, and self-acceptance through character-driven storytelling. The narrative follows Riko, a thorny grass who faces bullying and social rejection because his spikes are perceived as dangerous. Despite this adversity, Riko continues to act with kindness and compassion toward others.

The story builds toward a turning point when a grasshopper attacks the city, and Riko ultimately uses the very trait that once caused him to be feared his spikes to defend and protect the community. Through this narrative arc, the project highlights the idea that differences often hold hidden strengths.

From a creative perspective, the project focuses on developing a memorable character and a simple yet meaningful story that communicates positive values to young audiences, while demonstrating how character design and narrative can work together to deliver an emotionally engaging digital reading experience.