Yen Press’ middle grades imprint, JY for Kids, has announced that they will be publishing a new children’s novel starting in December 2024, titled Catalog of Wonders. This is the fifth work in JY’s recent expansion initiative, focused on publishing English editions of Japanese novels, containing short prose chapters, complemented by illustrations that appeal to younger readers.
Catalog of Wonders features an original story by Chizutokouro, with illustrations by Kei Mochizuki.
One day, after bringing home some particularly bad test scores, Mashiro decides to run away. If only all those low grades would just disappear from his parents’ memories… As he fantasizes about the impossible, a girl in an eye patch and a flashy pink hoodie jumps out in front of him, dragging a suitcase behind her. In her wake, he finds a mysterious black book with a list of dubious products. Instant Death God, Friend Gacha, Execution Set, Winter Only Ice Cream, ??? Goldfish…And then he sees it—a button to erase someone’s memories. Just what are these strange items, and are they safe to use? You’ll never know until you try, but do you dare?!
The idea behind Catalog of Wonders is that it is an anthology of short stories, each about the customers who bought mysterious products from a young girl with an eye patch, leading to unexpected and frightful consequences.
The book will be available in December 2024 for $8.99 USD or local equivalent.
