"Never do what your mother tells you to do, then everything will be all right,” to quote Annie M.G. Schmidt. Just saying what you want to say, not making a fuss, breaking any rules that don’t make sense, and recalcitrant humour; these are the secrets of her pen [sic]."1911-1995 Annie M.G. Schmidt: Going against the … Continue reading #DutchKidLit and The Canon of the Netherlands, Part 2 – The Subversive Wit of Annie M.G. Schmidt
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: B is for Baby
What happens when Baby discovers a big basket of bright yellow bananas? She eats them for breakfast, of course, and accidentally begins a bumpy adventure on Brother's bicycle. The beats in his headphones keep him from noticing his baby sister in the back as he rides through the busy village. Brother and Baby pass by … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: B is for Baby
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: The Black Pimpernel: Nelson Mandela on the Run
A belated happy birthday, President Rolihlala "Nelson" Mandela! Pushkin Press has commemorated his life by publishing The Black Pimpernel: Nelson Mandela on the Run, a chapter book by Zukiswa Wanner with captivating black and white, comic book style illustrations by Amerigo Pinelli. This is the latest installment of the publisher's True Adventures series of historical … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: The Black Pimpernel: Nelson Mandela on the Run
#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Too Small Tola
Too Small Tola by award-winning author, Atinuke and illustrator, Onyinye Iwu is a trio of stories about the triumphs and small-small troubles of Tola and her family in Lagos, Nigeria. Tola lives with her bossy gran, Grandmommy, her studious sister, Moji and her sporty brother, Dapo in a run-down, one-room apartment in the city. The chapter book for ages 7-9 … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Too Small Tola
#WorldKidLit Weekend: The Story of Bodri
An illustrated book for ages 6-10, The Story of Bodri* is based on the experiences of Swedish-Romanian Hédi Fried. A teenager when she was sent to Auschwitz, author Fried lectures today on racism, democracy, and the Holocaust. She was inspired to write The Story of Bodri when a young attendee at one of her talks asked about … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Weekend: The Story of Bodri
#WorldKidLit Weekend: Ellie’s Voice or Trööömmmpffff
Ellie’s Voice or Trööömmmpffff,* an adorably whimsical Estonian picture book for ages 3-6, is about a seabird named Ellie, who has no voice. “Everything else has a voice,” Ellie thought sadly. "The trees rustle. The waves crash. Even the rain sings when it falls." I’m the only one who can’t make a sound." Ellie felt tears … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Weekend: Ellie’s Voice or Trööömmmpffff
#INTLYALITMONTH: That’s a wrap!
I cannot believe we have arrived at the end of the first ever International Young Adult Month! It’s been truly an honor to be the first guest editor of #IntlYALitMonth by the Global Literature in Libraries Initiative. It’s been an eye-opening experience for me as I have learned so much about international translated Young Adult Literature … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: That’s a wrap!
#INTLYALITMONTH: Furia
Written by Yamile Saied Mendez ISBN: 978-1-61620-991-9 Publisher: Workman: Algonquin Books for Young Readers Buy it here. Furia is an #ownvoices novel, set in Rosario, Argentina, and it's the story of a young woman named Camila Hassan, also known as, La Furia. Camila dreams of playing fútbol professionally and being one of the best Futboleras in the … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Furia
#INTLYALITMONTH: Aya Life In Yop City
Written by: Marguerite Abouet, Illustrated by Clement Oubrerie Translated by Helge Dasher ISBN: 978-1-77046-082-9 Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly Aya Life In Yop City is the story of 19-year-old Aya, who’s very dedicated to her studies and committed to her goals. It’s 1978 in Abidjan, a suburb of the Ivory Coast and Aya is your typical … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Aya Life In Yop City
#INTLYALITMONTH: Noughts & Crosses
Written by Malorie Blackman ISBN: 978-1-5344-9742-9 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Noughts & Crosses is one of those books that takes a while to wrap around your head because there’s so much to unpack! This is a story of love in a very different dystopian world trying to keep these two lovers apart. Sephy and Callum … Continue reading #INTLYALITMONTH: Noughts & Crosses
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 