If you've been reading our #WorldKitLit Month series on Puerto Rico thus far this month, you have already come across the term Boricua to refer to Puerto Ricans. The term is derived from the indigenous name for the island, Boríken (“the great land of the valiant and noble lord”), which was transliterated into Spanish as … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Month 2020: On this Beautiful Island
#WorldKidLit Month 2020: Clemente!
On September 9 in the United States, the teams comprising Major League Baseball observed Roberto Clemente Day, honoring the life of the renowned athlete and humanitarian. Born in Puerto Rico, Clemente remains a national hero to Boricuas both on the island and in the Diaspora. In his dedication to excellence in his work, his pride … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Month 2020: Clemente!
#WorldKidLit Month 2020: Eric Velasquez and His Grandma
Eric Velasquez is, bar none, of my favorite children's book illustrators. His paintings are luminous, and their realism lends an almost documentary-like quality to his work. We will discuss Velasquez's work more than once during this Puerto Rican Kid Lit Month, but let us begin with the two books that garnered him well-deserved notice as … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Month 2020: Eric Velasquez and His Grandma
#WorldKidLit Month 2020: Luci Soars
Released just this past month, Luci Soars is the newest book by prolific author and illustrator Lulu Delacre. Born in Puerto Rico to Argentine parents, Delacre knew early in her career as an artist that she wanted to illustrate children's books. Rest assured that this is in no way the last time that will discuss … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Month 2020: Luci Soars
#WorldKidLitWednesday: The Visitor
Elise is scared of everything, even trees, so she never ventures out. Her house is spotless and totally devoid of color until the day a pale blue paper airplane flies through an open window, bringing with it a shaft of light from the outside world. Then Emil, a young boy dressed in bright red and … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: The Visitor
#WorldKidLitWednesday: Felix After the Rain
Grandma used to say to Felix that the sun always shines after the rain and that after every uphill climb there’s a downhill stroll. Felix is a deeply unhappy boy, who drags around a large suitcase wherever he goes. Unbeknownst to him, the negative situations and emotions he experiences in life are hidden in the … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Felix After the Rain
#WorldKidLitWednesday: Picture Books for Infants and Preschoolers
A couple of weeks ago, a request popped up in my Twitter feed from none other than Ann Morgan, who read her way around the world: https://twitter.com/A_B_Morgan/status/1277171693463756800 It prompted a flurry of responses from #worldkidlit enthusiasts and inspired me to think about picture books in translation for the very young. While I believe that many … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Picture Books for Infants and Preschoolers
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: FROM THE STARS IN THE SKY TO THE FISH IN THE SEA (A Non-Binary Children’s Picture Book)
“whatever you dream of, i believe you can be, from the stars in the sky to the fish in the sea.you can crawl like a crabor with feathers fly high, and i’ll always be here,i’ll near be near, standing by,and you know that i’ll love youtill the day that i die” The only thing better than reading those words … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: FROM THE STARS IN THE SKY TO THE FISH IN THE SEA (A Non-Binary Children’s Picture Book)
#WorldKidLitWednesday: Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate, from Farm to Family
Who doesn’t love a delicious chocolate cake for their birthday? In this picture book aimed at children ages 4-7, a young girl is making a celebration cake with her father while her mother is out on a special errand. As the pair measure and mix the ingredients, she asks her father to tell her again … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate, from Farm to Family
#WorldKidLitWednesday: And Then the Seed Grew
What's an underground community to do when a perniciously invasive root snakes its way through everyone's routes and roofs? That's the setup for award-winning author-illustrator Marianne Dubuc's latest, a whimsical picture book for ages 3-7, And Then the Seed Grew. Filled with fun details--a blue piano in the corner of one room, a yellow rubber … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: And Then the Seed Grew
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 