#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II

Posted on by Klem-Marí Cajigas

Last week the American Library Association (ALA) presented their annual Youth Media Awards, celebrating the best in literature for young people. Among major awards such as the Caldecott and the Newbery medals, there is also the Mildred L. Batchelder Award, given to an outstanding "children’s book originally published in a language other than English in … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: How Beautiful

Posted on by Klem-Marí Cajigas

The question of what is beautiful has preoccupied philosophers and poets alike. In How Beautiful, however, a caterpillar is the one pondering the subject. Yes, a caterpillar! In this elegant and whimsical picture book from Italy, a young caterpillar sets out to find exactly what beautiful means. As the book opens, the caterpillar lives "a … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: How Beautiful

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Telling Stories Wrong*

Posted on by Nanette McGuinness

“Once upon a time, there was a girl who was called Little Yellow Riding Hood.” “No, red!” “Oh, right!” Little Red Riding Hood. Her mother called her one day and said, “Listen, Little Green Riding Hood…” “No, Red!” “Oh, right! Red. Her mother said: Now go to Aunt Hildegard’s house and take her this potato … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Telling Stories Wrong*

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Our World Out of Balance: Understanding Climate Change and What We Can Do

Posted on by Planet Picture Book

Climate change is a vast subject to tackle in a children’s book, but this 72-page illustrated nonfiction guide does so with boldness and determination, not to mention a solid grasp of the facts. Aimed at readers ages 8-12, Our World Out of Balance demystifies some of the changes that are happening to—and harming—our planet, with … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Our World Out of Balance: Understanding Climate Change and What We Can Do

Speculative Fiction in Translation: BloodBusters

Posted on by Rachel Cordasco

BloodBusters by Francesco Verso translated from the Italian by Sally McCorry Luna Press Publishing April 10, 2020 220 pages Winner of the 2015 Urania Award,* Francesco Verso’s BloodBusters is a heady mix of economic and political intrigue and fast-paced adventure, all circulating (pun intended!) around the unique premise that people pay their taxes in blood … Continue reading Speculative Fiction in Translation: BloodBusters

Speculative Fiction in Translation: Dissipatio H.G.

Posted on by Rachel Cordasco

Dissipatio H.G. by Guido Morselli originally published in Italian in 1977 translated from the Italian by Frederika Randall NYRB Classics December 1, 2020 144 pages Dissipatio Humanis Generis: the disappearance of the human race. This is Guido Morselli’s theme, and it’s explored with all of the seriousness and depth one would expect from a writer … Continue reading Speculative Fiction in Translation: Dissipatio H.G.

What We’re Missing: Gems of World Kid Lit

Posted on by David Jacobson

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