Special Feature on 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' Said to Be the World's Best-Selling Picture Book! MOE May 2026 Issue [Lead Feature: 50th Anniversary of Japanese Edition 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' | Enclosed Bonus: 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' Message Stickers]
The May 2026 issue of Monthly MOE magazine features a major special on 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Japanese edition, including details on the upcoming Eric Carle exhibition. The issue also highlights other artists, new book releases, and features on various cultural topics.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 3, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 01:28 (350h 57m after Collected)
This is the cover of the 'MOE' May 2026 issue. Ⓒ 2026 Penguin Random House LLC. ERIC CARLE, THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, THE WORLD OF ERIC CARLE logo, the Caterpillar logo and related designs, logos, and names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved. “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” is published by Penguin Random House LLC.
Hakusensha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Yasufumi Takagi) released **Monthly MOE May 2026 issue on April 3 (Friday)**.
**Lead Feature: 50th Anniversary of Japanese Edition 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'**
'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' said to be the world's best-selling picture book with cumulative sales of approximately 60 million copies. This colorful picture book, which depicts the caterpillar's eating trail with holes, has been breaking picture book bestseller records since its Japanese edition was published in 1976. In 2026, a large-scale 'Eric Carle Exhibition: It All Started with The Very Hungry Caterpillar' will be held, starting at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. We delve into the joy of enjoying Eric Carle's art, imbued in his simple and beautiful designs, and the sentiments he conveyed to children through his picture books.
* Discover the Charm of Picture Books Through Original Art at the 'Eric Carle Exhibition'
* Picture book author & reviewer Haruo Shimada selects: **'Eric Carle's Picture Books Are More Interesting the More You Look at Them'**
* Motoko Inoue, former Creative Director of the Eric Carle Studio, speaks about: **The Joy of Enjoying Art and the Sentiments Conveyed to Children**
* Interview: **A Gift from Eric Carle: Takeshi Matsumoto & Fumiyo Moriya**
* Newly Drawn Homage: **'The Caterpillar and the Moon' by Harune Horigome**
* Where Beautiful Merchandise is Born
**Enclosed Bonus: 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' Message Stickers**
These cute and pop stickers allow you to add a short message to gifts or letters.
Commemorating the Release of the Highly Anticipated New Picture Book 'No, It's a House' – tupera tupera's Fun Picture Book Creation
We visited the studio of tupera tupera in Kyoto to interview them about their latest picture book, **'No, It's a House'** (Hakusensha), released on April 17, 2026 (Friday).
Kaku Satoshi's Science Picture Books Dedicated to 'Little Einsteins'
Kaku Satoshi, a picture book author who is also an engineer and holds a doctorate in engineering. We delve into the science picture books created with deep love for children.
Latest Interview: Abe Hiroshi – The Mystery of Nature and Life
We interviewed picture book author Abe Hiroshi, who continues to draw animals and nature after working as a zookeeper, about his recent works including 'Yoake' and 'Higuma,' and his creative process.
The Dignity of Deliciousness: Yumi Uchida Paints Food
Yumi Uchida, whose beautiful illustrations for the picture book 'Osechi' have been a major topic of discussion. We present her works, which express food down to its texture like objets d'art, along with an interview.
Exhibition Commemoration: Josef Lada, the 'Father of Czech Picture Books'
An exhibition featuring approximately 200 works and materials by Josef Lada will be held from April 10, 2026 (Friday) at the Itami City Museum. We explore the world of Lada, known as the 'Father of Czech Picture Books'.
Recommendation for 'Oshikatsu' (Fan Activities): Cute Stamps by Creators
The world of stamps: fun to collect, cute to use, and a joy to behold. Especially in the digital age, the desire for high-quality, rich analog items grows. Why not take this opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of 'Oshikatsu' (activities of promoting/collecting), rather than just 'Oshi Katsu' (activities related to a favorite person/thing)?
Delicious Food and a Wonderful Way of Life: Ito Ogawa's 'Shokudo Junrei' (Restaurant Pilgrimage)
MOE's popular serialized series 'Shokudo Junrei' has been released as a book by Hakusensha on April 3, 2026 (Friday)! It tells the stories of 17 restaurants that Ito Ogawa discovered on her travels, nourishing both heart and stomach.
Newly Drawn: 31st Installment - Yuko Higuchi's 'Daily Cotton'
Popular comic strip where Yuko Higuchi depicts daily life with her cats.
Ongoing Series
Wanwan-chan by **Noriko Kudo**
Artist Interview: **Sei Matobu**
Featured Author Interview: **Yuko Oonari**
MOE's Recommended New Picture Books
This Month's Exhibitions
New Books
This Month's Recommended Movies
**Please be sure to include the copyright when using images from this release.**
'MOE' magazine features art and entertainment such as picture books and characters in visually rich ways for its readers.
**'Monthly MOE' (On sale the 3rd of every month / Publisher: Hakusensha)**
[Official Website] MOE web https://www.moe-web.jp
[Official X (formerly Twitter)] @MOE_web (https://x.com/MOE_web)
[Official Facebook] https://www.facebook.com/MonthlyMOE
[Official Instagram] @moe_web (https://www.instagram.com/MOE_web)
[Official Threads] @moe_web (https://www.threads.net/MOE_web)
Hakusensha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Yasufumi Takagi) released **Monthly MOE May 2026 issue on April 3 (Friday)**.
**Lead Feature: 50th Anniversary of Japanese Edition 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'**
'The Very Hungry Caterpillar,' said to be the world's best-selling picture book with cumulative sales of approximately 60 million copies. This colorful picture book, which depicts the caterpillar's eating trail with holes, has been breaking picture book bestseller records since its Japanese edition was published in 1976. In 2026, a large-scale 'Eric Carle Exhibition: It All Started with The Very Hungry Caterpillar' will be held, starting at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo. We delve into the joy of enjoying Eric Carle's art, imbued in his simple and beautiful designs, and the sentiments he conveyed to children through his picture books.
* Discover the Charm of Picture Books Through Original Art at the 'Eric Carle Exhibition'
* Picture book author & reviewer Haruo Shimada selects: **'Eric Carle's Picture Books Are More Interesting the More You Look at Them'**
* Motoko Inoue, former Creative Director of the Eric Carle Studio, speaks about: **The Joy of Enjoying Art and the Sentiments Conveyed to Children**
* Interview: **A Gift from Eric Carle: Takeshi Matsumoto & Fumiyo Moriya**
* Newly Drawn Homage: **'The Caterpillar and the Moon' by Harune Horigome**
* Where Beautiful Merchandise is Born
**Enclosed Bonus: 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' Message Stickers**
These cute and pop stickers allow you to add a short message to gifts or letters.
Commemorating the Release of the Highly Anticipated New Picture Book 'No, It's a House' – tupera tupera's Fun Picture Book Creation
We visited the studio of tupera tupera in Kyoto to interview them about their latest picture book, **'No, It's a House'** (Hakusensha), released on April 17, 2026 (Friday).
Kaku Satoshi's Science Picture Books Dedicated to 'Little Einsteins'
Kaku Satoshi, a picture book author who is also an engineer and holds a doctorate in engineering. We delve into the science picture books created with deep love for children.
Latest Interview: Abe Hiroshi – The Mystery of Nature and Life
We interviewed picture book author Abe Hiroshi, who continues to draw animals and nature after working as a zookeeper, about his recent works including 'Yoake' and 'Higuma,' and his creative process.
The Dignity of Deliciousness: Yumi Uchida Paints Food
Yumi Uchida, whose beautiful illustrations for the picture book 'Osechi' have been a major topic of discussion. We present her works, which express food down to its texture like objets d'art, along with an interview.
Exhibition Commemoration: Josef Lada, the 'Father of Czech Picture Books'
An exhibition featuring approximately 200 works and materials by Josef Lada will be held from April 10, 2026 (Friday) at the Itami City Museum. We explore the world of Lada, known as the 'Father of Czech Picture Books'.
Recommendation for 'Oshikatsu' (Fan Activities): Cute Stamps by Creators
The world of stamps: fun to collect, cute to use, and a joy to behold. Especially in the digital age, the desire for high-quality, rich analog items grows. Why not take this opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of 'Oshikatsu' (activities of promoting/collecting), rather than just 'Oshi Katsu' (activities related to a favorite person/thing)?
Delicious Food and a Wonderful Way of Life: Ito Ogawa's 'Shokudo Junrei' (Restaurant Pilgrimage)
MOE's popular serialized series 'Shokudo Junrei' has been released as a book by Hakusensha on April 3, 2026 (Friday)! It tells the stories of 17 restaurants that Ito Ogawa discovered on her travels, nourishing both heart and stomach.
Newly Drawn: 31st Installment - Yuko Higuchi's 'Daily Cotton'
Popular comic strip where Yuko Higuchi depicts daily life with her cats.
Ongoing Series
Wanwan-chan by **Noriko Kudo**
Artist Interview: **Sei Matobu**
Featured Author Interview: **Yuko Oonari**
MOE's Recommended New Picture Books
This Month's Exhibitions
New Books
This Month's Recommended Movies
**Please be sure to include the copyright when using images from this release.**
'MOE' magazine features art and entertainment such as picture books and characters in visually rich ways for its readers.
**'Monthly MOE' (On sale the 3rd of every month / Publisher: Hakusensha)**
[Official Website] MOE web https://www.moe-web.jp
[Official X (formerly Twitter)] @MOE_web (https://x.com/MOE_web)
[Official Facebook] https://www.facebook.com/MonthlyMOE
[Official Instagram] @moe_web (https://www.instagram.com/MOE_web)
[Official Threads] @moe_web (https://www.threads.net/MOE_web)