The King's Dessert

　　▋Dessert Secrets

　　Have you ever tasted a Galette des Rois?

　　This is a traditional French dessert called "Galette des Rois." Its most classic flavor involves puff pastry filled with almond cream. During preparation, the pastry chef carves various patterns onto the surface with a knife, then brushes it with egg wash, baking the crust until golden and crispy. After cooling, a paper crown is placed on top of the pie.

　　Beyond its enticing deliciousness, this dessert also offers interactive fun.

　　Galette des Rois most often appears on French tables on Epiphany, January 6th, each year. A small ceramic figurine is hidden inside the pie. The lucky person who finds the figurine becomes the king or queen for the day, gets to wear the paper crown, and receives blessings from others.

　　This book, "The King's Dessert," written by Mutsumi Ishii and illustrated by Rei Kurahashi, is a beautiful work centered around this lucky dessert and its associated customs.

　　▋Synopsis

　　The story takes place in the kitchen of a cake shop.

　　Pastry chef Mr. Blanc asks the little ceramic figurine, Millie, "Who will you bring happiness to?" Subsequently, Millie is placed inside a Galette des Rois filled with almond cream.

　　She can't see the outside world and can only listen intently to people's conversations, wondering to herself: Can I really bring happiness to anyone?

　　Millie, with a puzzled heart, arrives at a certain family's dinner table. She learns of little Belle's plight and deeply sympathizes with her lonely situation. Millie wishes so much that she could be chosen by the lonely Belle, to at least bring her some companionship.

　　Will her wish come true?

　　Her compassion ultimately sparks a small miracle.

　　▋Binding Highlights

　　❶ Book band
　　The book band is specially designed in the shape of a crown, echoing the story. Cut the book band to the appropriate length according to head circumference, then securely tape the two ends together to form a crown. It can not only be placed on a Galette des Rois but also worn on the reader's head, adding to the fun of role-playing.

　　❷ Endpapers
　　Greaseproof paper similar to cake liners is chosen for the endpapers, featuring classic patterns found on the crust of a Galette des Rois, including radiating spirals symbolizing the sun, laurel leaf patterns representing victory, and elegantly intertwined horizontal and vertical lines, showcasing the rich variety of the Galette des Rois's appearance.

　　❸ Dust jacket
　　When you remove the outer dust jacket, the front and back covers will reveal completely different patterns. The creator's ingenious touches are hidden within these changes. Can you guess what kind of scenes will appear?

Rave Reviews

　　● " 'The King's Dessert' tells a small miracle involving a ceramic figurine symbolizing happiness and three children. Since its release, this book has sparked heated discussions on social media, with many readers saying it 'touches their hearts' and makes them feel 'a sense of happiness'." — (Bisou France website)

　　● "This is not just a good story, but a work meticulously designed in every detail. The endpapers are like dessert packaging, and the eye-catching book band transforms into a crown. When the dust jacket is removed, the cover underneath will display different illustrations! Readers, please be sure to experience it for yourselves." — (Ehonnavi website writer, Satomi Deai)

　　● "Although there are no elaborate mechanisms, the clever design evokes a feeling of happiness, and the care put into the book's binding is impressive." — (Japan Publishing Culture Industry Promotion Foundation)

　　● "The cover features a crispy pie exuding a rich buttery scent, and a cute girl with rosy cheeks, which made me instinctively pick up this book." — (Nikkei Shimbun, maikohamano)

　　● "A picture book full of tenderness and quiet beauty, perfect for reading during the New Year." — (kodomoe book selection planner, Yoko Hara)