Written in 1940 on the eve of World War II, Emil and Karl is a gripping read. Set in 1938 Vienna, it tells the story of best friends Emil and Karl, both of whom have lost fathers. They quickly lose their mothers as well. Emil is Jewish; Karl is not. One is treated cruelly due … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Emil and Karl
Though Lithuania has yet to export a Jo Nesbo styled writer of thrillers, or a Baltic Henning Mankell, an increasing number of its most respected authors are now finding their way into the hands of English readers. Over the last few years, Noir Press has published six writers (seven novels): three women and three men. … Continue reading #TranslatedLit The Dark Undergrowth of Lithuanian Literary Fiction by Stephan Collishaw
There was once a town filled with people so wise that a body of Jewish folklore developed around their wisdom. Except, of course, they weren’t wise at all. Indeed, they were absolutely, thigh-slappingly, heart-stoppingly foolish—which is where much of the fun lies in the Chelm stories.* In The Sages of Chelm and the Moon**, Shlomo … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: The Sages of Chelm and the Moon
During the past 6 months, I have edited a series of articles on “What We’re Missing: Gems of World Kid Lit.” Taking a page from the UK’s Times Literary Supplement, which styles itself as “the only major English-language publication to review books published in other languages,” I thought we could introduce the concept on this … Continue reading What We’re Missing: Gems of World Kid Lit
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 