Tajikistan 🇹🇯: Tales of Grandma Gulsifat by Gulsifat Shakhidi, tr. Tatyana Kinzhalova

Posted on by jessenana

In a Nutshell: This book is a bilingual selection of fairy tales in Russian and English. Themes: Love, family, identity and traditions. A Quote: “There is a voice they call bel canto, but you are ‘bel catto’.” An Observation: I loved the children reviews at the end of the English version, these were left on the … Continue reading Tajikistan 🇹🇯: Tales of Grandma Gulsifat by Gulsifat Shakhidi, tr. Tatyana Kinzhalova

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: The Cat Who Saved Books

Posted on by Nanette McGuinness

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

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Let’s Play Gonggi

Posted on by Klem-Marí Cajigas

Many of us adults now look back on our decidedly low-tech childhood pastimes with fondness. I remember playing hopscotch, for example, and partaking in neighborhood baseball games. In my family literacy work, I often encourage parents and caregivers to share their "old-school" games with their children. After all, play is a child's work— and adults … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Let’s Play Gonggi

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: João by a Thread

Posted on by Planet Picture Book

Dreams can be filled with vibrant adventure and fraught with fear. But often they dissipate when we wake, without leaving a trace. In his picture book João by a Thread, renowned author/illustrator Roger Mello captures the world of nightmares and dreams and commits it to memory in written and illustrated form. The book opens with … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: João by a Thread

#WorldKidLitWednesday: Terminal 3

Posted on by Karthika G

Set against the backdrop of the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, this young adult graphic novel captures the aspirations of sportspersons from the region and what it costs to pursue their dreams. Dominantly rendered in hues of pastel reds and greens, Terminal 3 tells the story of 17-year-old Khwab Nazir, a young jiu-jitsu player. The book opens … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Terminal 3

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup

Posted on by Nanette McGuinness

Looking for a summertime middle grade adventure tale? Curious to learn about faraway places?  Then Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup* will be just the ticket for you! Set in Kazakhstan, Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup is the opening book in a coming-of-age fantasy series set in today’s world but … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Batu and the Search for the Golden Cup

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: This Is Our Place

Posted on by Klem-Marí Cajigas

Vitor Martins' tender, funny, and honest YA novels are no stranger to Global Literatures in Libraries Initiative, nor to its Translated YA Book Prize. He returns to us with his newest novel and the 2023 Translated YA Book Prize winner, This Is Our Place. Translated by Larissa Helena (who translated Martins' previous prize winning book), … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: This Is Our Place

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Science for Smartypants series

Posted on by Karthika G

The Science for Smartypants series of books introduces scientific phenomena, with a generous dose of humor on the side, to readers in the age group of 5 to 8 years.  Each of the four titles in the series revolves around particular concepts, namely Gravity, Photosynthesis, Evolution, and the Solar System.  Dominantly rendered in tones of … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Science for Smartypants series

#WorldKidLitWednesday: Meet Reviewer Karthika Gopalakrishnan

Posted on by Klem-Marí Cajigas

The #WorldKidLit review team here at GLLI is thrilled to welcome our newest contributor, Karthika Gopalakrishnan, to its ranks. Our regular readers may recognize Karthika from last year's celebration of World Kid Lit Month which she co-curated, focusing on #IndiaKidLit. Welcome, Karthika! Karthika is an educator, children's book writer and editor, and the director of … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Meet Reviewer Karthika Gopalakrishnan

#WorldKidLit Wednesday: Kariba

Posted on by Klem-Marí Cajigas

Originally published in 2018 as part of a Kickstarter campaign and forthcoming to a more global audience this August from Catalyst Press, Kariba is an adventurous fantasy middle grades graphic novel. As the South African-based creators note in an afterword, Kariba "draws heavily upon historical fact," taking its name from the real life Kariba Dam … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Kariba