World Kid Lit Month 2023: Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award

A book by a winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award:

Daytime visions: an alphabet. 
By Isol; adapted in English by Isol and Elisa Amado.

Enchanted Lion, 2016. 

I found the creator's reflection on how to adapt her work into another language fascinating.

How language - and alphabets - frame our thinking. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: GLLI Translated YA Book Prize

A book awarded the GLLI Translated YA Book Prize:

Oksi
By Mari Ahokoivu; translated by Silja-Maaria Aronpuro.

Levine Querido, 2021.

I was trying to decide which pages to photograph.

It would have ended up being the whole book.

A graphic novel retelling of a Finnish fairy tale is one that will haunt you. 

The use of negative space, and of colour, is masterfully done. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A Middle Grade Book

A Middle Grade Book: 

The secrets of Cricket Karlsson. 
Written by Kristina Sigunsdotter; illustrated by Ester Eriksson; translated by Julia Marshall. 

Gecko Press, 2022. 

Me and books about death - again. 

This age is such a tough one to write about - and to live through. 

That balance between being a child, but sometimes stepping into adult waters. 

There's friendship issues.

The impact of adult mental health issues on those around them.

There's growing up. And growing away. And growing closer. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A Book from Europe

A book from Europe: 

Maya and her friends. 
Written by Larysa Denysenko; illustrated by Masha Foya; translated by Burshtyna Tereshchenko. 

Studio Press, 2022.

The recent full-scale invasion of Ukraine has almost overshadowed the fact that areas of Ukraine have been under attack since 2014. 

Although war, and its effects, are inevitably referenced in this book - the focus is on diversity and inclusion. On family. And, on love. 

The book has been published with really upfront ethics - to the extent of noting the paper used. 

I would love to see more publishers head that way. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A Book from Oceania

A book from Oceania: 

Halu Bongo!

Story by Lani Young; gagana Samoa by Sisilia Eteuati; art by Nikki Mariner.

Nafanua Press, 2022. 

Poor Bongo and Bella! Before I continue - you will be glad to know that the grumpy school teacher does not use the broom on Bongo (or anyone). 

The story and situation is one I'm sure many would identify with. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A book translated from a language spoken by a friend

 A book translated from a language spoken by a friend: 

The snake and the frogs 
Retold by Mariam Karim-Ahlawat; illustrated by Nancy Raj; Tamil translation by Malarvizhi. 

Tulika Publishers, 2018. 

A traditional tale, with illustrations based on wooden folk toys from Channapatna in Karnataka, a craft style that came centuries ago from Persia (quote from publisher's website). 

This tale was published in multiple bilingual formats: 

• English / Bengali
• English / Gujarati
• English / Hindi
• English / Kannada
• English / Malayalam
• English / Marathi
• English / Tamil
• English / Telugu. 

I hope I've credited the translator! Trying to find the translator is an issue so many times! 

Yes, I did originally ear mark this for a language with non-Roman script - but changed my mind! 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A Language with non-Roman script

A Language with non-Roman script: 

我才不想读故事! | Wo cai bu xiang du gu shi! 
I'm not reading! 
Written and illustrated by Jonathan Allen; translated by DaJ. 

南宁市 : 接力出版社, 2021; English edition originally published 2013. 

My friend and I are now planning a bilingual reading of this book at a suitable storytime. 

I have loved Little Owl for YEARS! I'm Not Santa is one of my go-to Santa storytime reads. 

World Lit Lit Month 2022: Day 29: A book from the Middle East

Bingo: A book from the Middle East

The servant by Fatima Sharafeddine From an email from a customer: Almost one month ago, you had recommended many books after I had filled the forum for a librarian to choose books for me.

I went with (Faten the servant), and it was the first book in my entire life that I had read. I was so attached to the reader that I felt so upset when I read the last line and flipped to the next page, hoping for some more.

I might have found it interesting because it talked about a middle eastern girl, and that was just who I am. Could you recommend more books of the same type as that book? Representation matters!

World Kid Lit Month 2022: Day 27: A book translated from a language you don't know.

Bingo: A book translated from a language you don't know.

Bicycling to the moon 

By Timo Parvela; illus Virpi Talvitie; trans from Finnish Ruth Urbom

World Kid Lit Month 2022: Day 25: Around the world

Bingo: Around the world:

Under the spell of the moon: art for children from the world's great illustrators

Edited by Patricia Aldana; texts translated by Stan Dragland

World Kid Lit Month 2022: Day 23: Non-fiction for younger readers, translated from another language

Bingo: Non-fiction for younger readers, translated from another language:

Outside: discovering animals 

By Maria Ana Peixe Dias, Inês Teixeira Do Rosário, Bernardo P. Carvalho; translated by Lucy Greaves.

World Kid Lit Month 2022: Day 21: Graphic novel translated from another language

Bingo: Graphic novel translated from another language:

I remember Beirut

By Zeina Abirached; art by Zeina Abirached; translation by Edward Gauvin