Leo Lionni: Frederick (Sun) A6 Original Size - Techo Lineup

Leo LionniFrederick (Sun)A6 Original Size

2027 New

Leo Lionni’s beloved classic picture book Frederick has become a Hobonichi Techo cover.

Leo Lionni is the author of many picture books that have been translated and published in Japan — including Swimmy and Little Blue and Little Yellow — and are cherished by readers of all ages, from children to adults. Frederick, which marks its 60th anniversary in 2027, tells the story of a field mouse named Frederick who sits quietly collecting “sun rays,” “colors,” and “words” while the other mice busy themselves gathering food for winter. Incorporating torn-paper art and collage techniques, the story captures a year in the lives of these little field mice with a warm and gentle gaze.

The Original-size cover Frederick (Sun) takes its theme from Frederick gathering the rays of the sun. Just like on the cover of the picture book, Frederick is shown holding a red poppy flower, gazing right out at you. By applying a matte print with a rough texture over the glossy white enamel surface, the cover evokes the feeling of a world built from torn pieces of colored paper collaged onto white pages.

The bookmark charms are shaped to evoke the fragments of sun rays and words that Frederick carefully collects.

Inside the right pocket of the cover, you’ll find the mice carrying corn, while in the left pocket, Frederick sits with eyes gently closed, gathering the rays of the sun.

The back pocket features the handwritten “Frederick” lettering from the endpapers of the picture book.

And tucked inside the back pocket is Frederick himself, sharing the warmth of the sun’s rays with his friends.

This cover captures the warmth of sunshine and the freshness of green. We hope that as you spend each season alongside Frederick, you’ll gather your own light, colors and words within the pages of your techo.

About Leo Lionni

Leo Lionni (1910-1999)

Born in the Netherlands. Was prominent in the United States and Italy as an illustrator, graphic designer, and children’s book author. Many of his picture books have been translated and published in Japan, where they continue to be beloved by readers. These include Swimmy, Frederick, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse — all recipients of the prestigious Caldecott Medal, awarded to outstanding American picture books — as well as Little Blue and Little Yellow and A Color of His Own.

Staff List

Photographer: Styled Images: Masahiro Tamura / Product Detail: Hiroyuki Oe
Stylist: Haruka Kimura

Leo LionniFrederick (Sun)A6 Original Size

¥6,710 - ¥7,700 (incl. tax)
¥4,290 (incl. tax)

20 per item

Available

Normal

Specifications*Specifications may vary slightly

Cover

Size

H: 165 x W: 244 x T: 3 mm / H: 6.5" x W: 9.6" x T: 0.1"
*Excluding pen holders

Weight

Approx. 100 g

Main material

Exterior: PU / Interior: PU, Polyester

Compatible Techo Books

Planner (A6)
1 page per day English edition
Original (A6)
1 page per day
Original Avec (A6)
1 page per day 6-month book
Day-Free
Monthly notebook

Planner | One-Page-Per-Day TypeEnglish

type	Monday Start (English)
Size	A6 H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 15 mm / H: 5.8" x W: 4.1" x T: 0.6" *Specifications may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 190 g
Dates	Jan 2027 - Dec 2027

The English-version daily techo with a refined design

This compact A6 size techo has spacious daily pages and a simple graph-paper design that offers plenty of freedom to draw, paste, and write.

Daily pages
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Monthly calendar
Memo pages

View details on features and included content

Original | One-Page-Per-Day TypeStandard Edition (Japanese / English) / One Piece Edition (*1)

type	Monday Start (Japanese) Sunday Start (Japanese) Monday Start (English)
Size	A6 H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 15 mm / H: 5.8" x W: 4.1" x T: 0.6" *Specifications may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 195 g
Dates	Jan 2027 - Dec 2027 (Jan start) Apr 2027 - Mar 2028 (Apr start)

A classic easy-to-use techo

This compact A6 size techo has spacious daily pages and a simple graph-paper design that offers plenty of freedom to draw, paste, and write.

Daily pages
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Monthly calendar
Memo pages

*1 Also compatible with the One Piece Edition Original Book.

View details on features and included content

Original Avec | One-Page-Per-Day Type (2-Book Set)Japanese

type	Monday Start (Japanese)
Size	A6 Each Book: H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 8 mm / H: 5.9" x W: 4.1" x T: 0.3" *Specifications may vary slightly
Weight	Each Book: Approx. 110 g
Dates	Book 1: Jan 2027 - June 2027 Book 2: July 2027 - Dec 2027

Each 6-month daily techo is thin and light for easy carry

This techo splits the year into two 6-month books, making it easy to carry while keeping the same page design and layout as the standard edition.

Daily pages
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Monthly calendar
Memo pages

View details on features and included content

Day-Free | Monthly Techo + NotebookJapanese

type	Monday Start (Japanese)
Size	A6 H: 148 x W: 105 x T: 8 mm / W: 4.1" x H: 5.9" x T: 0.3" *Specifications may vary slightly
Weight	Approx. 110 g
Dates	Dec 2026 - Mar 2028

A monthly notebook with undated pages to write freely

This techo starts with monthly calendars and ends with undated graph paper pages so you can write whenever you want, and as much as you want.

Monthly calendar
Yearly calendar
Yearly index
Graph paper notebook pages

View details on features and included content

User recommendations

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Please Read Before You Buy

We’ve compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Additionally, the color of the product may be slightly different in actuality than compared to how it appeared on a computer or smartphone screen.

Cover may contain variations in stitching or loose lining: Due to the structure of the cover that opens flat 180 degrees, exterior stitching areas may appear puckered and lining material may be loose.

Pen holder fits pens up to 13.5 mm wide: The pen holder is designed to fit the 12.2 mm (0.48") diameter Jetstream pen offered as a free Hobonichi Store Exclusive Bonus. Pens with certain shapes and materials may be difficult to pull through the holder. The holder can fit pens up to 13.5 mm (0.53") in diameter.

Color and print may vary slightly: The cover's color and print pattern are created by dyeing or printing onto white fabric. While we take care to ensure consistency during production, slight variations in color or pattern may occur between individual items. This may also happen across a single cover, such as a pocket compared to the rest of the cover. Minor print blurring or uneven coloring may also be present. In addition, on rare occasions, there may be small black or white dots visible on the print. This is an unavoidable aspect of the manufacturing process.