Two new volumes in the acclaimed Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE series went up for pre-order on May 1, 2026: Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE: Birds (New Edition) and Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils (New Edition). Both are scheduled for release on June 25, 2026.
About the Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE Series
First launched in 2014, the Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE series combines high-quality photographs, detailed illustrations, and up-to-date scientific information. Since June 2022, the publisher has been releasing updated "New Edition" volumes incorporating the latest research — a line that has received the 19th Kids Design Award.
Previous highlights include the Insects volume, which became the first educational field guide to feature approximately 2,800 insect species photographed alive (as of April 2026, according to Gakken), and the Dinosaurs volume, which refreshed over 400 dinosaur illustrations based on current research. With the new summer 2026 titles, the series expands to 12 volumes.
The theme connecting the two new releases is familiarity: birds and stones are things children encounter in everyday life. The books aim to help young readers discover that their surroundings are full of hidden treasures.
For more about the series, visit the official website: https://zukan.gakken.jp/live/
Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE: Birds (New Edition)
Birds (New Edition) covers approximately 900 species — the most among comparable publications (as of April 2026, according to Gakken). The range spans familiar birds such as pigeons and swallows to crowd-pleasers like penguins and shoebills typically seen at zoos and aquariums.
Pages feature clean cut-out photographs showcasing each bird's appearance alongside habitat shots that capture natural behaviors. Descriptions go beyond basic facts to specify the concrete locations and environments where each species can be spotted — "in the sky," "among the grasses," and so on. Dedicated feature sections compare bird basics — feathers, eggs, and calls — from a scientific perspective.
For birdwatchers, around 200 species' calls are included and can be played back by scanning the corresponding page with a smartphone app. The book aims to take readers from learning to listening to actually finding birds in the wild.
Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE: Birds (New Edition)
- Supervised by: Masaoki Takagi and others
- Price: ¥3,300 (tax included)
- ISBN: 978-4-05-206072-4
- Release date: June 25, 2026
- Format: A4 variant / hardcover
- Publisher: Gakken Inc.
Pre-orders are available at:
- Gakken official site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020607200
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4052060725/
- Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18591550/
- And at bookstores and online retailers nationwide
Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils (New Edition)
Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils (New Edition) is packed with approximately 850 types of stones — again the most among comparable publications (as of April 2026, according to Gakken). Coverage runs from pebbles found in the street to sparkling minerals and gemstones, fossils buried in the earth, and meteorites from outer space.
Visuals were provided by mineral photographers and more than 30 museums from Japan and abroad. The book includes pages showing specimens at actual size so readers can feel the real texture of each stone, alongside explanations of how different rocks and minerals form. Cultural aspects of stones are also covered, with features such as "The World of Gemstones" and "Painting with Rocks."
Gakken Illustrated Reference Book LIVE: Rocks, Minerals, and Fossils (New Edition)
- Supervised by: Shoji Nishimoto, Takeshi Mikouchi, Satoshi Matsubara, Ryoji Tanaka, Daisuke Hamane, Taichi Kato
- Price: ¥3,080 (tax included)
- ISBN: 978-4-05-206149-3
- Release date: June 25, 2026
- Format: A4 variant / hardcover
- Publisher: Gakken Inc.
Pre-orders are available at:
- Gakken official site: https://hon.gakken.jp/book/1020614900
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/4052061497/
- Rakuten Books: https://books.rakuten.co.jp/rb/18591388/
- And at bookstores and online retailers nationwide
