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Children's "likes" expand the future. MY STELLA's official blog offers picture books that parents and children can enjoy, tips for raising children, and ideas for nurturing the future.
For baby gifts and birthday gifts, personalized picture books for the whole family|Mystera
  • MY STELLA's picture book
  • Commitment to picture books
  • Buy Gift Card
For baby gifts and birthday gifts, personalized picture books for the whole family|Mystera
  • MY STELLA's picture book
  • Commitment to picture books
  • Buy Gift Card
  1. Home
  2. Written by Anne.Makino

Anne.Makino – Author –

Anne.Makino's avatar Anne.Makino Picture book columnist/review writer

I am a picture book columnist who lives in a quiet city with a view of the mountains, surrounded by the scent of books and paper.
Based on my experience working with books with children as a teacher and librarian, I am now writing reviews of picture books and children's books, as well as columns that convey the appeal of stories.
I would be happy if I could gently help you meet "a book that is unique to that child" while valuing the feel of the paper, the space between the lines, and the small excitement.

  • An illustration of a ninja that children admire fighting against a powerful enemy. Become a ninja and defeat powerful enemies!
    Going out with children

    A complete guide to "ninja experience" theme parks nationwide that will make "I want to become a ninja!" [2026 latest edition, large theme parks]

    A thorough guide to ninja theme parks across the country, including Iga, Koka, Nikko, Edomura, and Togakushi. Covering prices, business hours, and highlights of large facilities that children can enjoy all day long, such as demonstration shows at the Ninja Museum and the ninja dojo in Koka no Sato Ninjutsu Village. Age-specific recommendations included.
    February 14, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • Illustration of a parent and child enjoying making sweets while looking at a chocolate recipe picture book
    Recommended picture books

    Chocolate picture book recommendations that you can make and enjoy|Picture books with recipes that parents and children can read and make by hand

    After reading it, you won't stop "I want to make it!" Introducing all 6 chocolate picture books with recipes. We will explain picture books that parents and children can enjoy making sweets, along with how to choose them according to their purpose and age. Also for preparing homemade chocolate for Valentine's Day.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • Lisograph-style illustration of the image of reading a chocolate picture book on Valentine's Day
    Recommended picture books

    Recommended chocolate picture books and children's books to read on Valentine's Day|Find the perfect book for reading and gifting

    Introducing chocolate picture books that you want to read on Valentine's Day by purpose. From picture books that can be used for reading to children's books suitable for gifts, to picture books. Explanation of classic children's books and Valentine's Day-themed picture books with chocolate, along with how to choose according to age.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • Encyclopedic lithograph-style illustrations on the theme of chocolate and cacao
    Recommended picture books

    Learn why chocolate is delicious|Chocolate picture book recommendations for learning and knowledge that expands the world

    Introducing all 7 learning and knowledge chocolate picture books that follow the process from cacao to chocolate. We will explain recommended works that can also be an entry point to food education, SDGs, and fair trade, along with how to choose them according to your age and purpose.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • A lithograph-style illustration of a girl reading a chocolate book and cocoa and chocolate motifs dancing
    Recommended picture books

    Chocolate picture book recommendations to enjoy with stories|How to choose a book that will make children fascinated by reading to them

    The 21 chocolate story picture books are classified into three types: "Fun and funny picture books", "Fantasy and adventure picture books", and "heartwarming picture books". Introducing all the recommended works that children will be absorbed in by reading aloud, along with how to choose them according to their age and purpose.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • An illustration depicting the time of parents and children reading chocolate picture books to Valentine's Day. A warm atmosphere with picture books, chocolates, and gifts lined up
    Recommended picture books

    Summary of the world of chocolate picture books|Age-specific recommendations and thematic guides

    A picture book columnist who has read and compared more than 40 chocolate picture books explains how to choose by genre such as stories, education, recipes, and Valentine's Day. We also introduce recommendations by age from 0 years old to elementary school students. For reading to children and choosing gifts.
    February 14, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • An article from the personalized picture book MY STELLA published in the Shizuoka Shimbun. Junmu Iizuka of Iizuka Printing uses a tablet to explain the features of picture books. The headlines are "Let's make a picture book according to our tastes" and "Cultivate each person's individuality"
    Awards and Media Coverage

    "A picture book that nurtures the individuality of each person" ── MY STELLA was featured in the Shizuoka Shimbun

    MY STELLA was introduced in the Shizuoka Shimbun. A personalized picture book made according to children's tastes and requests. It is a one-of-a-kind custom-made picture book that also features names, hairstyles, skin colors, and family members.
    February 7, 2026
    Anne.Makino
1
  • A lithograph-style illustration of a girl reading a chocolate book and cocoa and chocolate motifs dancing
    Recommended picture books

    Chocolate picture book recommendations to enjoy with stories|How to choose a book that will make children fascinated by reading to them

    The 21 chocolate story picture books are classified into three types: "Fun and funny picture books", "Fantasy and adventure picture books", and "heartwarming picture books". Introducing all the recommended works that children will be absorbed in by reading aloud, along with how to choose them according to their age and purpose.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • An illustration depicting the time of parents and children reading chocolate picture books to Valentine's Day. A warm atmosphere with picture books, chocolates, and gifts lined up
    Recommended picture books

    Summary of the world of chocolate picture books|Age-specific recommendations and thematic guides

    A picture book columnist who has read and compared more than 40 chocolate picture books explains how to choose by genre such as stories, education, recipes, and Valentine's Day. We also introduce recommendations by age from 0 years old to elementary school students. For reading to children and choosing gifts.
    February 14, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • Encyclopedic lithograph-style illustrations on the theme of chocolate and cacao
    Recommended picture books

    Learn why chocolate is delicious|Chocolate picture book recommendations for learning and knowledge that expands the world

    Introducing all 7 learning and knowledge chocolate picture books that follow the process from cacao to chocolate. We will explain recommended works that can also be an entry point to food education, SDGs, and fair trade, along with how to choose them according to your age and purpose.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • Illustration of a parent and child enjoying making sweets while looking at a chocolate recipe picture book
    Recommended picture books

    Chocolate picture book recommendations that you can make and enjoy|Picture books with recipes that parents and children can read and make by hand

    After reading it, you won't stop "I want to make it!" Introducing all 6 chocolate picture books with recipes. We will explain picture books that parents and children can enjoy making sweets, along with how to choose them according to their purpose and age. Also for preparing homemade chocolate for Valentine's Day.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • An illustration of a ninja that children admire fighting against a powerful enemy. Become a ninja and defeat powerful enemies!
    Going out with children

    A complete guide to "ninja experience" theme parks nationwide that will make "I want to become a ninja!" [2026 latest edition, large theme parks]

    A thorough guide to ninja theme parks across the country, including Iga, Koka, Nikko, Edomura, and Togakushi. Covering prices, business hours, and highlights of large facilities that children can enjoy all day long, such as demonstration shows at the Ninja Museum and the ninja dojo in Koka no Sato Ninjutsu Village. Age-specific recommendations included.
    February 14, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • Lisograph-style illustration of the image of reading a chocolate picture book on Valentine's Day
    Recommended picture books

    Recommended chocolate picture books and children's books to read on Valentine's Day|Find the perfect book for reading and gifting

    Introducing chocolate picture books that you want to read on Valentine's Day by purpose. From picture books that can be used for reading to children's books suitable for gifts, to picture books. Explanation of classic children's books and Valentine's Day-themed picture books with chocolate, along with how to choose according to age.
    February 12, 2026
    Anne.Makino
  • An article from the personalized picture book MY STELLA published in the Shizuoka Shimbun. Junmu Iizuka of Iizuka Printing uses a tablet to explain the features of picture books. The headlines are "Let's make a picture book according to our tastes" and "Cultivate each person's individuality"
    Awards and Media Coverage

    "A picture book that nurtures the individuality of each person" ── MY STELLA was featured in the Shizuoka Shimbun

    MY STELLA was introduced in the Shizuoka Shimbun. A personalized picture book made according to children's tastes and requests. It is a one-of-a-kind custom-made picture book that also features names, hairstyles, skin colors, and family members.
    February 7, 2026
    Anne.Makino
Site of the custom-made picture book Mystera with the name - Link image to Yokoso Delicious Sekai. A mother holding her beloved child and a personalized picture book Mystera's picture book cover and illustration
A banner introducing Mystera's picture book. Illustration of a boy with an illustration that looks just like a boy Picture book introduction banner
  • Recommended picture books (18)
  • Announcements and Press Releases (2)
  • STELLA LAB (13)
  • Awards and Media Coverage (2)
  • Going out with children (1)
  • Children's learning and play (23)
  • Tips for nurturing the mind (21)