I had an absolutely awful time choosing just one book to feature from Seagull Books’ forthcoming titles in translation. Not only does this international press seek out stories from a myriad of countries—Hungary, Chile, India, Germany, Italy, among others—but every single cover is consistently stunning. How could I possible decide? Therefore I am flouting … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: Seagull Books
The latest issue of Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature arrived last week. It is vol. 56. No. 1. The journal has a regular feature called Translators and Their Books. This issue includes an article called "I am a Translator, a Transmitter of Culture" by Anna Becchi. The author is a translator from German, Dutch … Continue reading Bookbird: A Journal of International Children’s Literature
Trying to find bilingual children’s books? What about German thrillers, French-Canadian novels, or First Nations nonfiction? Look no further: Canadian publisher House of Anansi has what you need. House of Anansi has grown into a multi-genre powerhouse since its founding in 1967. For over fifty years, the press has released original Canadian and First … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: House of Anansi
Plot: In the twilight days of Japanese power in his country, an Indonesian army officer sparks an insurrection against the occupation army but is forced to flee into the jungle when he is betrayed by one of his own comrades. Challenge: Banned in Indonesia in 1950, for containing "subversive" material, including an attempt to promote Marxist–Leninist … Continue reading International Banned Book: The Fugitive by Pramoedya Ananta Toer (Indonesia)
Helping young readers understand the culture, history and beauty of Mexico has never been more important! Children's books are windows and mirrors and may be the answer to how we break down walls. My school has many families with Hispanic backgrounds and most of our students take Spanish classes from age four to eighth grade. … Continue reading Our Neighbor: Mexico
Recently I attended the USBBY Regional Conference in Seattle. There were colleagues from all over the world, especially Canada. We listened to a panel of speakers representing first nations/indigenous peoples of Canada. It was fascinating! Here are some resources to add books for young people to your collection. Canadian Children's Book Centre "The Canadian Children’s … Continue reading Our Neighbor: Canada
" The Batchelder Award is given to the most outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States." Visit the American Library Association site for details. Link here. This award honors Mildred L. Batchelder, … Continue reading Mildred L. Batchelder Award
Dear colleagues, I am honored and excited to be the GLLI guest editor for March 2018. I have been a public and school librarian for many years. My daughter is from India and now lives in New Zealand. For her 21st birthday we visited Japan, her favorite place in the world. In 2011, I spent … Continue reading International books for children
By Nuri al-Khalaf Editor of Syrian Literature Month for Global Literature in Libraries I remember – one day – that I delivered a long speech introducing and praising the Syrian culture and literature to a big crowd of students. Once I finished my speech one of my professors said to me: “Dear Nuri, you talked a … Continue reading Syrian Literature: Between Curses of the Past and Challenges of the Present
The first thing you see when you click on Two Dollar Radio’s “Books” page is the phrase “Books too loud to ignore.” After scanning the starred reviews of their latest releases, it’s obvious that titles by the Ohio-based publisher are impossible to dismiss. Two Dollar Radio’s team has a penchant for progress: their projects are … Continue reading Publisher Spotlight: Two Dollar Radio
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 