Stephen King and Maurice Sendak’s Hansel and Gretel Goes to Third Printing Just Over Two Weeks After Release

Hansel and Gretel, a new picture book written by global bestselling author Stephen King from the long-unseen original illustrations left by Maurice Sendak, the 20th-century master behind Where the Wild Things Are, will receive a third printing just over two weeks after its April 24, 2026 release from NHK Publishing due to strong sales. The book has become a talking point as a dream collaboration that could be called a publishing-world fairy tale. Sendak’s surviving illustrations are paired with newly written text by King to create a fresh version of Hansel and Gretel. Children, a house of sweets, and an evil witch are brought vividly back to life through Sendak’s timeless world, heightened by King’s refined prose. The work is intended not only for adults but also for preschool and elementary-school readers, offering the full pleasure of reading a story. Sales have been strong both in physical bookstores and online retailers, particularly among female fans of Stephen King. NHK Publishing has also released a special introduction in which King writes about his feelings toward Sendak’s work. The book has also topped several rankings, including No. 1 in Amazon Japan’s book ranking for art, architecture, and design painting books as of May 1, 2026, No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list, No. 1 among U.S. independent bookstores, and selection as one of Amazon U.S.’s Best Books of 2025. Stephen King was born in Maine in 1947 and debuted as a novelist with Carrie in 1974. His major works include The Shining, IT, The Green Mile, and The Dark Tower series. Maurice Sendak was born in New York State in 1928 and became one of the defining picture-book creators of the 20th century, with more than 50 million copies sold and translations into over 40 languages. He died in 2012. The Japanese edition is translated by poet Hiroshi Homura. Hansel and Gretel is published by NHK Publishing, priced at 2,530 yen including tax. It is a 48-page full-color hardcover in a modified B4 format. ISBN: 978-4-14-036169-6.