Most pop culture stores aren't able to do that much with 'children's books' unless the material in question is a true comic like Tintin, or the hit of the past Christmas season, the Art Spiegelman-edited Little Lit (see 'Little Lit Sells Big').  But retailers who have carried Mark Crilley's series of Akiko novels have repeatedly told ICv2 that this is one series of children's books that really sells.  Whether it's because Akiko started as a comic from Sirius (which is still being published), because of the superb illustrations that Crilley supplies throughout the series, or because of the fascinating science fiction yarns he spins, these books have found favor with comic fans. The latest novel in the series, Akiko and the Great Wall of Trudd, was released in March, and is available from FM International.

 

Some of the success of the series can be credited to publisher Delacorte Press for managing to publish an illustrated 160-page hardcover for the extremely reasonable cover price of $9.95.  The book has both a full color dust jacket and an identically colored hardcover, a highly functional format for a children's book.  If you haven't tried these books, bring in a copy Akiko and the Great Wall of Trudd, as well as a copy of the first two books in the series, Akiko and the Planet Smoo, and Akiko in Sprubbly Islands.