[Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Series: 10th Anniversary] Reader Present Campaign and Bookstore Fair to be Held from May 2026!

Holp Shuppan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Yuko Matsuoka) will hold a fair at bookstores nationwide starting in May 2026, commemorating 10 years since the publication of the "Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Series," which has cumulatively sold 3.9 million copies. An interview with Mitsue Hiragi, author of this beloved series, a pioneer in pop-up picture books for babies, along with a reader present campaign and a bookstore display contest will be implemented.

"Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Fair" to be held at approximately 500 bookstores nationwide
From early May, the ["First Smile with Every Turn" Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Fair] will be held at approximately 500 bookstores nationwide. Popular titles such as the "Kororin" series, including "Kororin Poi!", and picture books with a "vehicle" theme perfect for spring outings will be introduced. In addition, "Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon 10th Anniversary Stickers" will be provided to participating bookstores (while supplies last). Look for panels with moving mechanisms.

Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Series Special Website
Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon 10th Anniversary Sticker, Panel with Moving Mechanism

Win original presents! Reader campaign to be held
A campaign to win an apron with an illustration from "O? Kao!" will be held from early May. Apply via the QR code on the "Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon 10th Anniversary Sticker" distributed at the special website or participating bookstores. 100 winners will be selected by lottery to receive an "O? Kao!" apron.
[Campaign Period] April 28, 2026 (Tuesday) - August 31, 2026 (Monday) until 23:59.

First discussion in 8 years: Author Mitsue Hiragi, Chuo University Professor Mami Yamaguchi, Ehon Navi Editor-in-Chief Sonoko Isozaki
Eight years have passed since the three-person discussion held in 2018 to commemorate the series surpassing 300,000 copies. Professor Mami Yamaguchi of Chuo University, who studies baby visual and brain development, will unravel the charm of this book and the creative secrets of Mitsue Hiragi, who continues to publish 31 works with cumulative sales of 3.9 million copies over 10 years. Sonoko Isozaki, editor-in-chief of Ehon Navi, will be the navigator. The interview can be viewed on the Ehon Navi website below.
View the discussion here

Bookstore display contest to be held
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Series, a "Bookstore Display Contest" will be held. Wonderful presents will be prepared for participating bookstores. For details on how to apply, please visit the Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Series special website. Please post your display photos with the hashtag #あかちゃんがよろこぶしかけえほん10周年. We look forward to many applications.
◯ Grand Prize: 1 bookstore, 10,000 yen book card, sweets
◯ Excellence Award: 3 bookstores, 5,000 yen book card, sweets
◯ Mitsue Hiragi Award: 10 bookstores, 1,000 yen book card, sweets
◯ Participation Award: 500 yen book card
Application Deadline: Until October 31, 2026 (Saturday)
Announcement: November 30, 2026 (Monday) on Holp Shuppan's website
Product Shipping: Sequentially from December 1, 2026 (Tuesday)

Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Series Special Website

New book "Oya? Kororin!" now on sale
The latest book, "Oya? Kororin!", released to commemorate the 10th anniversary, is a picture book that adds new ideas to "Kororin Pa!", a representative book of this series. Previous works featured round parts rolling on a rail as their greatest characteristic, but "Oya? Kororin!" features various shapes of parts such as ovals, triangles, and squares. It is an ambitious work filled with the author Mitsue Hiragi's desire to "let children enjoy the differences in shapes."
Oya? Kororin! Cover, Oya? Kororin! Inside (Triangle), Oya? Kororin! Inside (Square)

Mitsue Hiragi's Profile
Born in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture in 1977. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, the University of Tokyo. Picture book author.
Her pop-up picture books include "O? Kao!", "Kororin Pa!", "Kororin Poi!", "Guruguru-san," "Boo Boo Shako ni Hairimasu" (written by Mitsue Hiragi, "Akachan ga Yorokobu Shikake Ehon Series," Holp Shuppan). Her other picture books include "Nezou Pro-Wrestling" (written by Mitsue Hiragi, Kyoiku Gageki), "Densha Unten Shimasu!" (written by Mitsue Hiragi, Kin no Hoshisha), "Kousaku Hacchan Osushiyasan" (written by Mitsue Hiragi, Shogakukan), and "Mofumofu-chan" (written by Mitsue Hiragi, Iwasaki Shoten). "Kororin Pa!" was selected as an IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Barrier-Free Children's Book for 2021.