What would it be like to have a little sister, or even tons of little sisters? As the eldest of four girls, I feel I may already have some of the answers, here! All the same, I no doubt could have benefitted from a copy of Little Sisters when I was a youngster. This gorgeous … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Little Sisters
So much can happen in a day! Especially for the residents of a busy apartment block and the surrounding community. In her picture book All in a Day, renowned Japanese paper-cut artist Chihiro Takeuchi invites readers to explore the concept of time in the beautiful neighborhood she has created. The focal point of the story–and … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: All in a Day
Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto by Kohei Saito, translated by Brian Bergstrom Publisher: Astra Publishing House Pages: 288 ISBN: 9781662602368 Published: 2024-01-09 It is probably a little unusual to include a book which hasn't yet been published in English (and therefore I have not read yet), in a list of must-read books, however the Japanese edition of … Continue reading #DegrowthLitMonth: Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto
Looking to dip your toe into the ocean of new graphic novels (in translation) for children and young adults? Reading the Eisners is the perfect approach. The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are the comic kingdom’s equivalent of the Oscars, with the winners announced annually at San Diego Comic Con. Children’s graphic novels in translation appear in the obvious … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: The 2023 Eisner Nominees
A quiet hero’s journey for YA readers, The Cat Who Saved Books tells the story of high-schooler Rintaro Natsuki, a shy hikikomori (shut-in). When the story begins, Rintaro’s beloved grandfather and guardian has just died, leaving him the owner of his grandfather’s secondhand bookstore. The description of Rintaro’s feelings about his grandfather’s death are poignant, … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: The Cat Who Saved Books
What has no color, but can be any color? What has no shape, but can take any shape? Why, water, of course. Almost Nothing, Yet Everything is a wondrous exploration of water by multi-award-winning creative duo Hiroshi Osada and Ryōji Arai. Aimed at readers ages 4-8, this picture book pairs Osada’s beautiful, lyrical ode to … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Almost Nothing, Yet Everything: A Book About Water
given, Volume 1 is the first title in a series (stylized in all lower case) from mangaka (manga creator) Natsuki Kizu. On its surface, given is a story about four high school and college students forming an amateur band. Underpinning that ‘simple’ premise however, is a rich opening tale on grief, healing, and relationships. The … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: given
Boys Run the Riot, Volume 1 Boys Run the Riot, Volume 1 is the first title in a four volume manga series from trans mangaka (manga creator) Keito Gaku. Like the street fashion which threads through the volumes, this series is bursting with color, identity and expression. This series centers on high school student Ryo … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Boys Run the Riot
If you are familiar with Japanese picture books, you may know that Chirri and Chirra, In the Night is merely the latest (eighth!) entry in the delightful series from author and illustrator Kaya Doi. Translated by David Boyd, this sweet little book is an ode to the magic that nighttime can bring. Chirri and Chirra … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Chirri & Chirra, In the Night
Kamusari Tales Told at Night is the second book in Shion Miura’s young adult Forest Series. Narrator Yuki Hirano picks up the story around six months after The Easy Life in Kamusari ended. If you haven’t read the first book, not to worry. A sizable chunk of the opening chapter is a recap of the … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Kamusari Tales Told at Night
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 