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The Mole Construction Company: The Squirrel Family’s Treehouse by Shingo Nagasaki tr. Lisa Wilcut

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 1 Oct 2026

Publisher: Do Re Mi
ISBN: 9781917933070

“A welcome addition to construction-themed picture book collections and a good choice for libraries seeking to diversify their international offerings.” SLJ

If only I could have called on the Mole Construction Company when my garden shed started leaning badly. They would have got it upright and shipshape again in to time. Instead I had to have it removed and awaiting delivery and assembly of a new shed as I write this entry. 

The Mole Construction Company is another warmly recommended title from this new children’s publisher.  Lisa Wilcut’s translation is excellent (I’m guessing the original Japanese builders were not called Mick, Miles and Max) and the illustrations a joyful evocation of purposeful bustle and machinery.

The squirrel family has a problem: their treehouse is leaning, the kitchen needs renovating, and… could they have a playroom too?

 

Luckily, the Mole Construction Company is on the job! An excavator digs at the base of the tree, a crane pulls to straighten it, and a dump truck fills the hole to fix the foundation. Then the moles can start building the new rooms!

Shingo Nagasaki’s illustrations bring working vehicles to life. Filled with charm, humour and warm storytelling, The Mole Construction Company shows the power of teamwork, helping others and problem-solving. Perfect for children aged 4–7, this picture book is ideal for read-aloud story times, vehicle fans and little builders everywhere.

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Edith: The Girl Who Was 100 Years Old by Catharina Valckx tr. Antony Shugaar

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 25 May 2026

Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798348029685

“Though the story features succinct chapters and spare text, translated from French, its philosophical underpinnings have a surprising heft. To grow old and die truly is an awfully big adventure in Edith’s case, and one worth fighting for. Valckx’s gentle full-color illustrations subtly show Edith growing up, initially in the 1920s and then pursuing her destiny in the present day. These simply rendered images adeptly highlight the poor girl’s misery (including never having a friend who won’t outgrow her) and eventual (much deserved) triumph. Few books have felt happier than when a character offers a gleeful, ‘I’m going to have lots of new problems.’ A sparkling celebration of life rooted in change, aging, and the necessity of death itself.” KIRKUS

ACHUKA seems to love everything published by Julia Marshall at Gecko Press and we simply ADORE this chapter book.

Edith was born at a time of magic and fairies.

 

As a newborn, Edith received two gifts: the ability to bring any object to life and eternal childhood. That’s why today, 100 years later, Edith is celebrating her centenary as a ten-year-old. What will she wish for this time? Certainly a new life—being ten forever has its downside.

On her birthday, Edith sets off to find the fairy who bewitched her and reverse the spell. She takes her only friends, a wise dog and a talking lemon, to find herself a future she can live with.

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Catharina writes, on her website:

I grew up in a village in the suburbs of Paris
I was twelve when they set foot on the moon for the first time

I have four sisters
but no brothers

my parents are Dutch, and so am I
but I write more easily in French than in Dutch

I followed two courses at artschool
a long time ago

I made paintings with titles like
‘so alone and no money’
and a film starring a real pig
with music by Bach

but eventually
I fell in love
with children’s literature

I live in Amsterdam
with my life partner

our son is an adult now
I recently made a book with him!

Fred the (very demanding) Deer by Pepe Smit

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 20 May 2026

Publisher: Scallywag Press
ISBN: 9781836300595

[Scroll down for pictures from the book launch.]

“Every so often, a book comes along that takes me completely by surprise. Sometimes, it’s because the plot has a massive twist in it that completely throws me, but in this case, it was how very funny this delightful picture book is. A story that, like many that I read, was described in its press release as hilarious, this is one that for once actually lived up to that promise and brought a huge smile to my face as I met Fred, who unlike most protagonists is determined not to simply obey the whims of his creator but to play a large part in developing his own narrative.” Jacqui Sydney

In this very amusing picture book that will appeal to a wide range of ages, Fred the Deer throws a series of tantrums with his illustrator, and ends up getting most of what he wants.

Fred the deer loves living in the forest. Or does he? No, he says he does not! He is bored, and wants to visit the town! Once there, he sees everyone else has shoes – so why can’t he have shoes? Everyone else seems to be eating chips, but he needs hands to eat chips… really, Fred? Read on to see if Pepe will give in and give him hands, and how the story will end up!

Pépé Smit was trained as a visual artist at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and the Sandberg Institute. Her illustrations have appeared in several leading magazines and newspapers, but she has increasingly focused on creating picture books that make young children both laugh and think. Her first, Fred the (very demanding) Deer, has become a much-reprinted title and marked the beginning of a successful series.

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Fred the Deer has his own Instagram too:

 

 
 
 
 
 
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The book had its UK launch on Tuesday 19 May at Gosh! Comics in London:

The Little House that Needed a Witch by Sophie Pluim tr. Polly Lawson

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 5 May 2026

Publisher: Floris Books
ISBN: 9781782509837

See also:
The Runaway Pancake [ACHUKA Book of the Day 31 Jan 2025]

Yes, they keep on coming! Yet another wonderful picture book in translation from Floris Books. In this one, a witch’s house must go on a journey to find a new occupant.

Deep in the forest sat a little witch’s house, but the old witch who’d lived there had gone for good. The little house felt empty and alone. As the seasons changed, grass grew tall around it and mushrooms began to sprout from its roof. The little house knew it must find a new witch or it would fall down.

She was so old even her wrinkles were wrinkled.

What to do? Creaking, the little house stood up and set out on a journey. Would it find a witch in need of a house?

This is a charming original fairy tale from Sophie Pluim, illustrator of The Runaway Pancake. It is the first picture book she has written as well as illustrated.

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Luna and the Night by Maylis Daufresne ill. Ian de Haes tr. Katy Lockwood-Holmes

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 30 Apr 2026

Publisher: Floris Books
ISBN: 9781782509783

“An inventive, delightful picture book about embracing what you fear and finding wonder within it. Luna’s imagination proves larger than life in the active, involving illustrations.”
Foreword Reviews
“Lyrical prose and beautiful, textured illustrations will capture the hearts of readers. Crafted with care, […] this book will help young readers understand their fears.” SLJ

Another really wonderful picture book from Floris. ACHUKA adores the illustrations.

Hardback cover under dustjacket

Luna is afraid of the inky night that creeps under her door and around her bed — until Mama suggests it might make Luna feel better if she says her fears out loud. The last thing Luna expects is for the Night to reply…

Night wants to show Luna there is nothing to be afraid of, so together they play in the darkness. Luna paints the twilight sky in shimmering shades of blue and purple and dances among the stars in a sparkling dress that gleams like moonbeams. As Luna gets to know the Night, she realises that her fear has become her friend.

Endpapers

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Hello Sleep by Saehan Parc tr. Selene Bright

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 24 Apr 2026

Publisher: New York Review Books
ISBN: 979889623006

Read an interview with Saehan:
LetsTalkPictureBooks

Told in comic strip form, this whimsical and soothing bedtime story for children aged 4-8 will help struggling young sleepers drift off at bedtime.

We all sometimes have a hard time going to sleep. But did you know that Sleep itself can have trouble sleeping, too?

Sleep is a friendly figure with a magic wand, who visits all living things and sends them off to dreamland when night falls. You know about Sleep, she visits you every night without fail. But what about Sleep? Doesn’t she need her slumber too? Everyone she stops to ask just dozes off!


Sleep travels the world, seeking cozy places to settle down, from atop a bunch of baby chicks, to Santa’s beard, to a baobob canopy. She listens to a lullaby, a meditation; she floats down the Amazon and rides an updraft in Siberia. Nothing does the trick: sleep keeps evading Sleep! Until a cat’s soft purring snore sends Sleep just where she needs to go. Goodnight, Sleep.

Saehan Parc is an illustrator and comic artist from South Korea now living in France.
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Josephine (Board book) by Chloé Alméras tr. Daniel Hahn

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 6 Mar 2026

Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798765673041

“Softly drawn with faint black dots for eyes, a simple curved line for a mouth, and a rounded black-tipped nose, Josephine is an easygoing yet expressive character whose mild presence stands in contrast to her imposing frame… Simultaneously tranquil and thought provoking.” KIRKUS

This English language edition of a charming board book first published in 2022 is brought to us by Gecko Press, in a translation by Daniel Hahn.

Little yellow giraffe Josephine is out and about—eyes wide open and muzzle in the air. She pokes her nose into the blue and her hooves into the green, plays with the clouds and makes rings in the water. The world is so full of interesting things!

Illustrated with simple lines and printed with a happy pop of neon yellow, this unique book makes simple but enchanting connections that let us see the world afresh through Josephine’s eyes.

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You Can Do It, Bert! by Ole Könnecke tr. Catherine Chidgey

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 25 Feb 2026

Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798348030360

“Könnecke’s single-plane vignettes are gems of minimalist visual humor … handled with a light touch and easy-going reassurance.” Starred review, Publishers Weekly
“In this sweet-toned, encouraging, minimalist picture book for young listeners, Könnecke has set up a simple tableau for all but the last few pages… A winning example of less is more.” KIRKUS

A paperback reissue for this minimalist masterpiece about taking the plunge that will inspire anyone embarking on a new adventure.

It is Bert’s big day. He is well prepared, mentally and physically. But he might need some encouragement.

You Can Do It, Bert! is a joyful picture book with a light as a feather story about taking a risk and believing in yourself.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Tomorrow I’m in Charge! by Jörg Mϋhle tr. Melody Shaw

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 16 Feb 2026

Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798765670538

“Mϋhle’s text, translated from German, is frank and straightforward, mirroring the bluntness of a child’s interactions and emotions, including Badger’s helplessness as he’s caught between the two battling friends. Spare watercolor and colored pencil illustrations set against stark white backgrounds match the tone of the text. Notably, this is no morality tale with a neat and tidy ending; rather, it’s a strong example of what not to do that honestly explores the consequences of jealousy and stubbornness. A candid and authentic glimpse at the rocky road that is negotiating social interactions.” KIRKUS

A charmingly comical picture book in which three forest friends debate vital childhood questions: who’s allowed to play, what game, and who decides…

When Weasel comes home, he can hardly believe his eyes: Bear and Badger are playing. But Badger is Weasel’s friend!
Badger suggests the three friends play together. But Bear and Weasel can’t agree on anything: not football, not memory, not hide and seek. Weasel never follows the rules. Bear always wants to be in charge.

Set in a charming outdoor forest house, this picture book is a  battle of wills between friends.

Stop the Ball! by Susanne Strasser tr. Melody Shaw

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ACHUKA Book of the Day 9 Feb 2026

Publisher: Gecko Press
ISBN: 9798765689158

See also:
So Tired, So Wide Awake [ACHUKA Book of the Day 7 Apr 2025]
Can I Sit In The Middle? [ACHUKA Book of the Day 5 Feb 2024]

Oh joy of joys! A new board book from Susan Strasser…

Duck kicks the ball but it flies over the net―where’s it gone? BOOM into the tree, SPLAT in the puddle, DOOGA DOOGA under the bench.

Duck runs, Owl runs, Spider runs, Dog runs―they all run after the ball. Until KERSPLASH it lands in the pool. Uh-oh, there’s a crocodile in the water. It’s too late to stop the ball! Or is it?

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