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Virginia Lee BurtonThe Little HouseA5 Cousin Size

  • 2026 New

The children’s book The Little House by American author Virginia Lee Burton is now available on a Hobonichi Techo.



The charming little house, with pink walls and a red chimney on a gray roof, sits atop a hill in the quiet countryside alongside apple trees that change to reflect each season.



But over time, the horse buggies change to automobiles, the area around the house develops with train tracks and skyscrapers, and crowds of people hurry throughout the town. The book has been a long-beloved children’s book since being published many decades ago.









The clear blue of the sky on the book cover provides a striking image on the techo cover. The hand-written letters also add a touch of warmth. The cover is made with a fine-grained polyester material.









The cover interior is mint green. The right-hand pocket represents spring, with mild rays of sunshine, blooming flowers on the apple tree, and children playing. The butterfly stoppers are a white faux leather, and the bookmarks are simple, light blue ribbons.









The cover spine is designed after the spine of the original book, with handwritten letters and daisies on a white background and red wavy lines along the edges.









The back of the cover depicts a smiling sun that had been on the back cover of the original book. The design around the sun simultaneously looks like warm rays of light and a daisy like the ones blooming around the little house. There’s also a picture hiding inside the pocket that had been in the endpaper of the original book.



The story of The Little House is a perfect fit for the Hobonichi Techo, as the book reminds us of the beauty of morning and night, and of the four rich seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. We hope this techo fills you with the same warmth as the original book.

About Virginia Lee Burton

Virginia Lee Burton was born in Massachusetts, USA. She was a celebrated
children's book author and illustrator, and a textile designer, based in the small town of Gloucester, Massachusetts, a short drive from Boston; She resided with her family in the village of Folly Cove. Her book, The Little House, published in 1942, won the Caldecott Medal, a prize awarded annually to the most distinguished American picture book. She published many other renowned picture books, including Choo Choo, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, and Katy and the Big Snow. She was also active in the textile and graphic industry.

© 2025 VLB Rights Holder




Introduction to the Virginia Lee Burton series products

(Hobonichi Techo 2026 lineup)

Staff List

Photographer
Styled Images: Nobuki Kawaharazaki / Product Detail: Hiroyuki Oe
Stylist
Satomi Kamino
Makeup & Hair
Yuka Takamatsu
Model
Nico Ando (Image)
Virginia Lee BurtonThe Little HouseA5 Cousin Size
  1. ¥8,910 - ¥10,560 (incl. tax)
  2. ¥5,390 (incl. tax)

20 per item
Available
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Specifications*Specifications may vary slightly

Cover
SizeH: 228 x W: 337 x T: 3 mm / H: 9" x W: 13.3" x T: 0.1"
WeightApprox. 170 g
Main materialExterior: Polyester / Interior: Polyester
Compatible Techo Books
  • Cousin (A5)
    1 page per day
  • Cousin Avec (A5)
    1 page per day 6-month book
  • Day-Free
    Monthly notebook

Cousin | One-Page-Per-Day TypeJapanese / English

typeMonday Start (Japanese)
Monday Start (English)
SizeA5
H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm /
H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.7"
*Specifications may vary slightly
WeightApprox. 445 g
DatesJan 2026 - Dec 2026 (Jan start)
Apr 2026 - Mar 2027 (Apr start)
A daily techo with lots of space to write
This A5-size techo provides ample space on each daily page. It’s great for keeping in one place at home or at work and you can use it to track your child’s growth or exchange with someone.
  • Daily pages
  • Yearly calendar
  • Yearly index
  • Monthly calendar
  • Weekly pages
  • Memo pages

View details on features and included content

Cousin Avec | One-Page-Per-Day Type (2-Book Set)Japanese

typeMonday Start (Japanese)
SizeA5
Each Book: H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 10 mm /
H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.4"
*Specifications may vary slightly
WeightEach Book: Approx. 260 g
DatesBook 1: Jan 2026 - June 2026
Book 2: July 2026 - Dec 2026
Each 6-month daily techo is thin and light for easy carry
This techo splits the year into two 6-month books, making it easy to carry while keeping the same page design and layout as the standard edition.
  • Daily pages
  • Yearly calendar
  • Yearly index
  • Monthly calendar
  • Weekly pages
  • Memo pages

View details on features and included content

Day-Free | Monthly Techo + NotebookJapanese

typeMonday Start (Japanese)
SizeA5
H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 8 mm /
H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.3"
*Specifications may vary slightly
WeightApprox. 220 g
DatesDec 2025 - Mar 2027
A monthly notebook with undated pages to write freely
This techo starts with monthly calendars and ends with undated graph paper pages so you can write whenever you want, and as much as you want.
  • Monthly calendar
  • Yearly calendar
  • Yearly index
  • Graph paper notebook pages

View details on features and included content
Book (Cousin English Edition / English / January Start)
SizeA5 size
H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.7"
*Actual book size may vary slightly
WeightApprox. 445 g
LanguageEnglish
Pages544 pages
Paper Type / BindingThin, light Tomoe River paper that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size3.7 mm
Start of WeekMonday-start week
Yearly Calendar2025, 2026, 2027
Yearly IndexJan. 2026 - Dec 2026 (4 pages)
Monthly CalendarDec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages)
Daily PagesJan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (377 pages)
*A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead.
*Every two-page spread includes one daily quote.
*Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
*Additionally, a blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book.
Daily QuotesOne quote per two-page spread (English)
Weekly Pages Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 3, 2027 (106 pages)
Memo Pages6 pages
Bonus PagesTime Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Words to Remember / 365 Days Check-Off Sheet / Getting the Most Out of Your Hobonichi Techo / Gifts / Addresses / Personal Notes
Listed InformationDay of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
OtherSee the Exploring Each Type page for more details
Book (Cousin / Japanese / January Start)
SizeA5 size
H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 18 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.7"
*Actual book size may vary slightly
WeightApprox. 445 g
LanguageJapanese
Pages544 pages
Paper Type / BindingThin, light Tomoe River paper that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size3.7 mm
Start of WeekMonday-start week
Yearly Calendar2025, 2026, 2027
Yearly IndexJan. 2026 - Dec 2026 (4 pages)
Monthly CalendarDec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages)
Daily PagesJan. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (377 pages)
*A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead.
*All daily pages include daily quotes.
*Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
*Additionally, a blank two-page spread is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book.
Daily QuotesOne per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 3, 2027 (106 pages)
Memo Pages6 pages
Bonus PagesTime Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses / Personal Notes
Listed InformationDay of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
OtherSee the Exploring Each Type page for more details
Book (Cousin Avec / Japanese / January Start / 2-Book Set)
SizeA5 size x 2 books
Each Book: H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 10 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.4"
*Actual book size may vary slightly
WeightEach Book: Approx. 260 g
LanguageJapanese
PagesEach Book: 288 pages
Paper Type / BindingThin, light Tomoe River paper that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Start of Week3.7 mm
Start of WeekMonday-start week
Yearly Calendar2025, 2026, 2027
Yearly IndexBook 1: Jan. - Dec. 2026 (4 pages)
Book 2: Jul. 2026 - Jun. 2027 (4 pages)
Monthly CalendarBook 1: Dec. 2025 - Jul. 2026 (16 pages)
Book 2: Jun. 2026 - Jan. 2027 (16 pages)
Daily PagesBook 1: Jan. 1 - Jun. 30, 2026 (187 pages)
Book 2: Jul. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 (190 pages)
*A page is included at the beginning of each month to help in planning ahead.
*All daily pages include daily quotes.
*Includes a mini monthly calendar at the bottom right of every two-page spread (Monday-start).
*Additionally, a blank two-page spread (three pages for Book 2) is featured at the beginning to provide a free area when starting out the book.
Daily QuotesOne per day (Japanese)
Weekly Pages Book 1: Dec. 29, 2025 - Jul. 5, 2026 (54 pages)
Book 2: Jun. 29, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027 (54 pages)
Memo PagesBook 1: 8 pages
Book 2: 4 pages
Bonus PagesTime Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses / Personal Notes
Listed InformationDay of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars and weekly pages) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (daily pages include every phase, monthly calendars and weekly pages only include full and new moon)
OtherSee the Exploring Each Type page for more details
Book (Day-Free A5 size / Japanese / Monthly)
SizeA5 size
H: 210 x W: 148 x T: 8 mm / H: 8.3" x W: 5.8" x T: 0.3"
*Actual book size may vary slightly
WeightApprox. 220 g
LanguageJapanese
Pages224 pages
Paper Type / BindingThin, light Tomoe River paper that is smooth to write on and designed for planners / Stitch-binding
Graph Paper Size3.7 mm
Start of WeekMonday-start week
Yearly Calendar2025, 2026, 2027
Yearly IndexJan. - Dec. 2025 (4 pages)
Monthly CalendarDec. 2025 - Mar. 2027 (32 pages)
Daily QuotesIncluded (Japanese)
Graph Paper171 pages
Bonus PagesTime Table / Graph Paper / Favorites / My 100 / Memories 2026 / 12 Switches to Help You Focus / For a Comfortable Night’s Sleep / Solar Terms / Emergency Preparedness / Gifts / Age Table / Conversion Chart / Getting the most of Hobonichi / Addresses / Personal Notes
Listed InformationDay of the year / Week of the year (listed on monthly calendars) / Old lunar calendar / Rokuyo (traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar) (listed on monthly calendars) / Solar terms / Japanese holidays / Moon phase (Full and new moon listed on monthly calendars)
OtherSee the Exploring Each Type page for more details

User recommendations

If you’ve used any of these products, we welcome your notes on what you like about them or what led you to buy them so we can share it with customers who are currently considering these products. We’d also love to welcome comments from customers who purchased their techo outside the Hobonichi Store or received their book as a gift.

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Please Read Before You Buy

We’ve compiled a list of warnings, potential issues, and tips to keep in mind for this particular product. Additionally, the color of the product may be slightly different in actuality than compared to how it appeared on a computer or smartphone screen.

Cover may contain variations in stitching or loose lining

Due to the structure of the cover that opens flat 180 degrees, exterior stitching areas may appear puckered and lining material may be loose.

Pen holder fits pens up to 13.5 mm wide

The pen holder is designed to fit the 12.2 mm (0.48") diameter Jetstream pen offered as a free Hobonichi Store Exclusive Bonus. Pens with certain shapes and materials may be difficult to pull through the holder. The holder can fit pens up to 13.5 mm (0.53") in diameter.

Color and print may vary slightly

The cover's color and print pattern are created by dyeing or printing onto white fabric. While we take care to ensure consistency during production, slight variations in color or pattern may occur between individual items. This may also happen across a single cover, such as a pocket compared to the rest of the cover. Minor print blurring or uneven coloring may also be present. In addition, on rare occasions, there may be small black or white dots visible on the print. This is an unavoidable aspect of the manufacturing process.