MOE Picture Book Award-winning Author Maki Kaneko's Latest Book 'Hula Hoop!' to be Released on Thursday, April 9, 2026

Bronze Publishing Co., Ltd. (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Machiko Wakatsuki) will release the picture book 'Hula Hoop!' (written by Maki Kaneko) in bookstores nationwide on Thursday, April 9.

Author Maki Kaneko is a picture book artist who attracts attention for her surreal and unique ideas and diverse expressive methods. She has won numerous picture book awards for works such as 'Menbozu' (Alicekan) and 'Ichigorira' (Poplar Publishing).

Her latest work, 'Hula Hoop!', is the first picture book in Japan to feature a 'hula hoop' as its theme (according to our research). The characters are familiar foods to children, such as onigiri, watermelon, ice cream, pudding, and cake. With the chant of "Onigiri, onigiri, hula hoop!", as they spin and sway their hula hoops... one surprising and whimsical development after another unfolds.

The vertical page-turning format allows the movements of the hula hoop and the unexpected transformations of the foods to be felt more dynamically. With rhythmic words and a simple plot, it's perfect for group read-alouds. It's a book that both children and adults can enjoy together, making them want to move their bodies.

First in Japan! A picture book with a hula hoop theme

The hula hoop is a familiar plaything enjoyed in kindergartens and schools. While it's a well-known object across generations, it has never been depicted as the main theme of a picture book until now (according to our research). This book is the first picture book in Japan to spotlight this familiar plaything.

Detailed illustrations combining cuteness and realism

Maki Kaneko values sketching and emphasizes accurately depicting subjects. From each grain of rice and the texture of seaweed in the meticulously drawn onigiri, to the afterimages (trajectories) representing the hula hoop's rotation, her delicate and outstanding expressive power creates a work that feels realistic despite its nonsensical world.

Inside Pages Introduction

Bibliographic Information

'Hula Hoop!' by Maki Kaneko

・ Release Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026

・ Price: 1,320 yen (tax included)

・ Format: 220 x 175mm, hardcover, vertical opening

・ Pages: 34 pages

・ Sales: Available at bookstores nationwide and other retailers

・ Book Website: https://www.bronze.co.jp/books/9784893097538/

Author Introduction

Maki Kaneko, Author

Picture book author. Graduated from Sophia University, Faculty of Foreign Studies, Portuguese Department.

While teaching art at the painting class Lucanose, she studied picture book creation at the Kilter Space Picture Book Study Group and Atosaki Juku, leading to her current career. Following her win of the Pinpoint Picture Book Contest Grand Prize in 2017, she debuted as a picture book author in 2019 with 'Chanoma no Ozabuton' (Alicekan). 'Menbozu' (Alicekan) won the 14th Kindergarten Picture Book Award. 'Ichigorira' (Poplar Publishing) won 4th place in the 17th MOE Picture Book Store Award and 3rd place in the 9th Miraiya Picture Book Award. Born in Saitama Prefecture.

Bronze Publishing Co., Ltd.

TEL: 03-3498-3272

E-mail: webmaster@bronze.co.jp