Farrar, Straus, Grande & Giroux

Coffee vendor Starbucks has taken its in-store reading program a step further this week, acting as copublisher of its next selection. The book is called "The Traveler," written by Daren Simkin and illustrated by brother Daniel Simkin. The publishing partner is Farrar Straus & Giroux, a part of Germany's Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holzbrinck, which also owns Henry Holt, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan.

The book is said to be an illustrated fable about a boy named Charlie, likened to "The Little Prince." It will be available in Starbucks stores starting Nov. 28.

FSG president Jonathan Galassi describes the book as "a beguiling and tender fable about what really matters in life, created by two brothers whose wisdom belies their youth." Apparently its not a kids' book, though it doesn't sound like reading for oldsters. The book was featured in the October issue of Vanity Fair magazine, known for catering to readers of tender fables.