Picture Book 'Yubitako,' Popular for 'Stopping Thumb-Sucking,' Surpasses 300,000 Copies in Cumulative Sales!
The picture book 'Yubitako' (written by Sanae Kuse), released by Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd. in 2013, has surpassed 300,000 copies in cumulative sales. This long-selling work, which continues to sell 13 years after its release, addresses the common concern of children's 'thumb-sucking' through a story that encourages children to stop the habit through read-aloud sessions, gaining wide support from parents.
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Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd. announced that the picture book 'Yubitako' (written by Sanae Kuse), released in 2013, has surpassed 300,000 copies in cumulative sales. Even after 13 years, this book continues to sell, focusing on the familiar problem of children's 'thumb-sucking.' It is designed to encourage children to stop thumb-sucking through read-aloud sessions, and has gained widespread support from parents.
The protagonist is a girl who is about to start first grade but cannot stop thumb-sucking.
One day, the 'Yubitako' (thumb-callus) that formed from too much sucking suddenly starts talking.
"I'm Yubitako. You've sucked me so much that I've grown this big. Now, suck your thumb even more and make me bigger!"
The 'Yubitako' is a bit startling but somehow humorous and endearing.
The girl, by confronting Yubitako, experiences changes in her feelings and habits.
It is a story that gently encourages children to find their 'power to change themselves,' while empathizing with their feeling of 'wanting to stop but can't.'
**Points of Continued Sales**
① **Real-life experiences of 'It worked!' spread by word-of-mouth**
"From the day we read the book, thumb-sucking stopped completely!" "My child says, 'Yubitako is scary! I won't suck my thumb anymore!'" "They are scared but want to read it again and again." Such 'heartfelt voices' have driven sales. Word-of-mouth, as if responding to the earnest wishes of parents and children troubled by thumb-sucking, has led to reprints.
② **'Slightly startling' characters that attract children**
The Yubitako character in this work is not too scary, but memorable and exquisitely present. The unique Kansai dialect and good tempo also enhance its uniqueness, naturally making read-aloud sessions lively. The impactful and quirky character leads to the appeal of wanting to read it repeatedly, saying, "Read it again!"
③ **A story that fosters parent-child conversation and behavioral change**
Thumb-sucking is a common concern in many households. This book, instead of scolding children with "Stop it," naturally creates parent-child conversations as children find their 'reason to stop.' The fact that 'behavioral changes' can be felt after reading is also a reason for its long-term support.
**Reader Voices**
"I bought it because my child couldn't stop thumb-sucking. Perhaps the timing was good, but after reading it once, my child stopped thumb-sucking on their own. Thank you."
"My child was scared and amused, and after reading it once, had a strong reaction to thumb-sucking. The next day, they asked me to 'read it again,' so I was surprised by the unexpected result, thinking it might be put away due to fear! The Kansai dialect development is good. It was comfortable to read aloud. The quirky illustrations and the expressions of the human characters are also inexplicably captivating, but the protagonist is definitely 'Yubitako-san'! It had that kind of impact."
"At first, they were very scared and quickly flipped through it without looking, but recently, while thumb-sucking, they enjoy watching it every day with surprised reactions. Both thumbs have become Yubitako, and I'm reading it to make them stop, but they find it amusing, and it seems it will take time to stop. It's a book they always bring for read-aloud time."
**Author's Message**
Oh, what a surprise! When it was first published, I never imagined that 'Yubitako' would be read by so many people in this way. This story was born from the thought that it would be nice to have someone nearby who supports you when you are lazy or can't do things well. At first glance, 'Yubitako' might seem scary, but I'm happy that more and more people say they love it! Thank you so much for finding and supporting the 'Yubitako' picture book! (Sanae Kuse)
**Author Profile**
Sanae Kuse
Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1977. Graduated from Kyoto Seika University, Faculty of Fine Arts. After working at a textile design company, she devoted herself to creating picture books. She debuted as a picture book author with 'Boku to Oohashikun,' the winner of the 32nd Kodansha Picture Book Newcomer Award. Her picture books include the 'Shuwa de Hanasou' series (Kaiseisha), 'Dajare Kaerimichi' (PHP Institute), 'Nakagyu!' (Hakusensha), and 'Yubitako' (Poplar Publishing). Her latest book is 'Ohashi Usagi,' a picture book that supports children practicing how to hold chopsticks.
**Bibliographic Information**
Title: 'Yubitako'
Author: Sanae Kuse
Price: 1,430 yen (10% tax included)
Release: January 2013
Book page >> https://www.poplar.co.jp/book/search/result/archive/2083016.html
Amazon >> https://amzn.to/4ucXKa9
**Sanae Kuse's New Picture Book**
Title: 'Ohashi Usagi'
Author: Sanae Kuse
Price: 1,540 yen
The protagonist is a girl who is about to start first grade but cannot stop thumb-sucking.
One day, the 'Yubitako' (thumb-callus) that formed from too much sucking suddenly starts talking.
"I'm Yubitako. You've sucked me so much that I've grown this big. Now, suck your thumb even more and make me bigger!"
The 'Yubitako' is a bit startling but somehow humorous and endearing.
The girl, by confronting Yubitako, experiences changes in her feelings and habits.
It is a story that gently encourages children to find their 'power to change themselves,' while empathizing with their feeling of 'wanting to stop but can't.'
**Points of Continued Sales**
① **Real-life experiences of 'It worked!' spread by word-of-mouth**
"From the day we read the book, thumb-sucking stopped completely!" "My child says, 'Yubitako is scary! I won't suck my thumb anymore!'" "They are scared but want to read it again and again." Such 'heartfelt voices' have driven sales. Word-of-mouth, as if responding to the earnest wishes of parents and children troubled by thumb-sucking, has led to reprints.
② **'Slightly startling' characters that attract children**
The Yubitako character in this work is not too scary, but memorable and exquisitely present. The unique Kansai dialect and good tempo also enhance its uniqueness, naturally making read-aloud sessions lively. The impactful and quirky character leads to the appeal of wanting to read it repeatedly, saying, "Read it again!"
③ **A story that fosters parent-child conversation and behavioral change**
Thumb-sucking is a common concern in many households. This book, instead of scolding children with "Stop it," naturally creates parent-child conversations as children find their 'reason to stop.' The fact that 'behavioral changes' can be felt after reading is also a reason for its long-term support.
**Reader Voices**
"I bought it because my child couldn't stop thumb-sucking. Perhaps the timing was good, but after reading it once, my child stopped thumb-sucking on their own. Thank you."
"My child was scared and amused, and after reading it once, had a strong reaction to thumb-sucking. The next day, they asked me to 'read it again,' so I was surprised by the unexpected result, thinking it might be put away due to fear! The Kansai dialect development is good. It was comfortable to read aloud. The quirky illustrations and the expressions of the human characters are also inexplicably captivating, but the protagonist is definitely 'Yubitako-san'! It had that kind of impact."
"At first, they were very scared and quickly flipped through it without looking, but recently, while thumb-sucking, they enjoy watching it every day with surprised reactions. Both thumbs have become Yubitako, and I'm reading it to make them stop, but they find it amusing, and it seems it will take time to stop. It's a book they always bring for read-aloud time."
**Author's Message**
Oh, what a surprise! When it was first published, I never imagined that 'Yubitako' would be read by so many people in this way. This story was born from the thought that it would be nice to have someone nearby who supports you when you are lazy or can't do things well. At first glance, 'Yubitako' might seem scary, but I'm happy that more and more people say they love it! Thank you so much for finding and supporting the 'Yubitako' picture book! (Sanae Kuse)
**Author Profile**
Sanae Kuse
Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1977. Graduated from Kyoto Seika University, Faculty of Fine Arts. After working at a textile design company, she devoted herself to creating picture books. She debuted as a picture book author with 'Boku to Oohashikun,' the winner of the 32nd Kodansha Picture Book Newcomer Award. Her picture books include the 'Shuwa de Hanasou' series (Kaiseisha), 'Dajare Kaerimichi' (PHP Institute), 'Nakagyu!' (Hakusensha), and 'Yubitako' (Poplar Publishing). Her latest book is 'Ohashi Usagi,' a picture book that supports children practicing how to hold chopsticks.
**Bibliographic Information**
Title: 'Yubitako'
Author: Sanae Kuse
Price: 1,430 yen (10% tax included)
Release: January 2013
Book page >> https://www.poplar.co.jp/book/search/result/archive/2083016.html
Amazon >> https://amzn.to/4ucXKa9
**Sanae Kuse's New Picture Book**
Title: 'Ohashi Usagi'
Author: Sanae Kuse
Price: 1,540 yen