Beloved Picture Book Authors 'Guri and Gura', 'Iyaiyaen', 'Sorairo no Tane' Transcending Generations! MOE July 2026 Issue [Yamawaki Yuriko Picture Books, Life, Ghibli | Bonus: Guri and Gura Postcard Set of 3]

Hakusensha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Yasufumi Takagi) released the July issue of Monthly MOE on Wednesday, June 3.

Cover Feature: Yuriko Yamawaki: Picture Books, Life, Ghibli

'Guri and Gura', 'Iyaiyaen', 'Sorairo no Tane'... The illustrations of Yuriko Yamawaki, a picture book author loved across generations, are filled with a mysterious charm that captivates children. The special exhibition 'Yuriko Yamawaki's Workroom: What You See from the Clutter' at the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, offers the first public view of her studio surrounded by her favorite things. Within it breathes a passion for creation that resonates with Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki. This feature looks back at her many masterpieces and explores the secret of her enduring popularity.

● Yamawaki's Picture Books and Fairy Tales

The legendary illustrations for 'Iyaiyaen' drawn in high school
The birth of the popular picture book series 'Guri and Gura'
Works created with her sister, Rieko Nakagawa, that continue to be read
Column: What Made Children's Book Author Rieko Nakagawa
Work with other authors
Work on overseas picture books and fairy tales
Stories about her own children, which she also wrote
INTERVIEW: Hiroko Inoue, former editor at Fukuinkan Shoten

● Yamawaki's Life
From the workroom recreated at the Ghibli Museum

● Yamawaki and Studio Ghibli
INTERVIEW: Kozuki Anzai, Director of the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

Bonus Insert: Guri and Gura Postcard Set of 3
These are MOE original postcards featuring famous scenes from the 'Guri and Gura' series!

New Work Unveiled at Ghibli Park! Hayao Miyazaki's Panorama Box
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki's new work is a 'Panorama Box', a picture box like a pop-up book. Peering into the box reveals a landscape with cinematic depth. A preview of the new work, which will be unveiled at Ghibli Park from Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Original Manga: Part 32, Higuchi Yuko's 'Daily Cotton'
A popular comic strip by Yuko Higuchi depicting her daily life with cats.

Celebrating the New Book 'Professionals: A Professional Fantasy Time' Release! Hikaru Tanaka is Unstoppable
Surreal, nonsensical, quirky, and too free, unpredictable!? This feature traces the creative journey of Hikaru Tanaka, who has been releasing hit works since her debut in 2019.

'Professionals: A Professional Fantasy Time' by Hikaru Tanaka / Published by Hakusensha / Released Wednesday, June 3, 2026

BOOK in BOOK Part 5: Forest Prescription / Learner: Ito Ogawa / Forest Guide: Eriko Hagio
In early summer, the garden of Herbal Note enters its flower season. Learn about summer herb enjoyment from Eriko Hagio, including colorful bergamot herbal tea and snacks combining tea jelly with peach compote.

Important Lessons from 40 Years of Serialization: Bonobono Philosophy
Cute yet thought-provoking. We delve into the charm of 'Bonobono', a philosophy that subtly hides hints for living within its humor. Includes a dialogue between Mikio Igarashi and Shinsuke Yoshitake!

Commemorating New Publication: Akiko Hayashi's Picture Books Depicting Children's Hearts
In April 2026, a collection of Akiko Hayashi's works, 'Depicting Children: The World of Akiko Hayashi' (Fukuinkan Shoten), was published. Here, we reintroduce the charm of Akiko Hayashi's picture books through past MOE interviews.

A Picture Book of Life Born Across 15 Years and Borders: Anne Vasko x Toshiyuki Fukuda
Fifteen years ago, two people from Japan and Finland met and sowed the seeds of a picture book. The seeds sprouted and slowly spread their leaves, finally resulting in the picture book 'Arm and Ilta'. We spoke with the authors, Anne Vasko and Toshiyuki Fukuda.

That Classic Picture Book Comes to Life!? The Anime 'The Little Mouse's Red Vest' (Nezumikun no Chokki)
The little mouse, known for his red vest, has become a TV anime! We introduce the fresh charm unique to anime and the behind-the-scenes of its production.

Early Summer Outing Feature: A Trip to Aomori to See Miffy
In conjunction with the touring '70th Anniversary Miffy Exhibition', Aomori is now full of Miffy spots! We introduce sweets, accommodations, and goods you can only find in Aomori.

Healing Photo Essay of Nature and Animals, Part 1: Minako Arketobi 'Living with 70 Cats in the Desert'
Minako Arketobi, who lives in the UAE desert with her Arab husband and about 200 animals, is hugely popular on X (formerly Twitter) as 'hanamomo @hanamomoact'. The animals include cats, dogs, horses, rabbits, gazelles, camels, pigeons, hedgehogs... etc. The cats alone form a family of over 70! A photo essay series begins, offering healing through her life with many animals, nurtured under the vast sky and land.

Popular Serializations
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Artist Interview: Toko Miura
Featured Author Interview: Keiko Aiko
MOE's Recommended New Picture Books
This Month's Exhibitions
New Reading Material
This Month's Recommended Movies

Monthly MOE delivers visually rich features on art and entertainment, including picture books and characters, to its readers.

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