Handa's Surprise Big Book

"In the best pantomime spirit, readers long to tell Handa what’s happening just behind her." — The Guardian (U.K.)

Handa puts seven delicious fruits in a basket to take to her friend, Akeyo. Which fruit will Akeyo like best, she wonders — the yellow banana, the sweet guava, the juicy orange, the ripe mango, the spiky pineapple, the creamy avocado, or the tangy passion fruit? As Handa makes the long walk to the next village, carrying the basket on her head, a monkey, ostrich, zebra, elephant, giraffe, antelope, and parrot steal her fruits, one by one. But little do they know that Handa has an even bigger surprise in store! Ideal for reading aloud, Handa’s Surprise is available as a Big Book suited for sharing with groups of young children.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs