Bestseller Picture Book 'Manete Miyō' Reaches Third Print with 10,000 Copies Sold! Grand Prize Winner of the 1st 'Reader's Choice Innovative Picture Book Award'

The picture book 'Manete Miyō' (written by Aomono Yokochō), published by Kodansha Children's Division on April 16, 2026, has sold out rapidly across online bookstores and triggered a third reprint just two months after release.

Cumulative circulation has surpassed 10,000 copies, drawing increasing attention!

Third Print Announced Just Two Months After Release!

'Manete Miyō' won the Grand Prize in the first 'Reader's Choice Innovative Picture Book Award,' which received 1,076 entries and 12,374 public votes.

An immediate reprint was ordered upon release, and due to continued sell-outs, a third print has now been confirmed.

Praised by Booksellers Nationwide!

Bookstore staff with years of experience in children's literature have also given glowing reviews:

- "The colors are vivid, and the expressions are fun. It immediately struck me as something kids would absolutely love." - "The moment it switches to photos halfway through is brilliant. There's a great punchline, and despite its simplicity, the composition is excellent!" - "It's fascinating how the photos gradually start to look like faces."

Short Introduction Video and Full Read-Aloud Video Now Available!

To celebrate the overwhelming response, a short promotional video and a full read-aloud video of the book are now live.

Be sure to check them out.

(Short video)

(Read-aloud full video)

Collaboration Song with YouTube's 'BomBom Academy' Surpasses 260,000 Views!

The collaborative music video with 'BomBom Academy,' a popular educational YouTube channel with over 1.23 million subscribers, has surpassed 260,000 views just over two months after release.

"Manete Miyō" Lyrics, Composition, and Vocals: Icchī & Naru (BomBom Academy)

About the Picture Book 'Manete Miyō'

'Manete Miyō' features a series of funny faces that readers can't help but imitate. Whether you copy them perfectly or not, it's just plain fun! Go ahead and give it a try! What kind of face will you make?

This picture book naturally encourages not only children's reactions but also parent-child communication.

Comment from the Author, Aomono Yokochō

I'm incredibly happy that so many people have picked up this book! I wanted to create a picture book where the reader becomes the main character and can play by moving their body—and that idea led me to 'funny faces.'

Making a funny face instantly brings laughter to those around you and lifts your own spirits. Drawing from that experience, I was determined to create a picture book where both children and adults can freely enjoy making funny faces!

If this book can help families share bright, joyful moments together, that would be the greatest happiness for me.

The 2nd 'Reader's Choice Innovative Picture Book Award' Is Now Open for Submissions!

The second edition of the 'Reader's Choice Innovative Picture Book Award,' the contest that awarded 'Manete Miyō' the Grand Prize, is now accepting entries.

This innovative picture book contest welcomes submissions of any theme. The second edition features four categories: 'Picture Book,' 'Video,' 'Illustration,' and 'Nursery Rhyme.' To support aspiring creators, the first 300 applicants will receive a free three-month license for the digital drawing app 'CLIP STUDIO PAINT EX (1 device).'

This contest is designed to be accessible even for first-time participants.

Official Website: (https://www.ehonnavi.net/pb-innovation-award/)

'Manete Miyō'

Author: Aomono Yokochō

Release Date: April 16, 2026

https://amzn.asia/d/0fvWPBbI

Author Introduction

Aomono Yokochō (born in Shizuoka in 1982) is a writer. After winning the Grand Prize in the first 'Reader's Choice Innovative Picture Book Award,' they published this work. Feel free to imitate the faces—even imperfectly—or create your very own 'Manete Miyō face' and play however you like.