It’s September 1st which can only mean one thing: #WorldKidLitMonth!
We’re thrilled to have you with us as we embark on thirty days of celebrating children’s and YA books from around the world.
”I love reading books from other countries and cultures!
~ Swedish author Jakob Wegelius
It is just like travelling (without having to get on an airplane).”
There are so many easy ways to join in the fun, on social media or in real life:
- Read a book! Either alone or with the young people in your life, read a children’s or YA book translated into English from another language. Share a picture and a few words about it on social media, with the hashtag #WorldKidLitMonth. How many countries and languages will we explore together?
- #ReadtheWorld! Perhaps you’re already an avid reader of world literature? Looking for the next step? You could use September to set off with your kids (/grandkids/pupils) on a year-long global adventure through reading. Why not visit your local school to tell them about the children’s/teen books you find?
- Show us your shelves: do you have any translated kids’ and YA books on your bookshelves? Librarians and booksellers, please share your table and window displays with hashtag #WorldKidLitMonth
- Spread the word! Please tell your friends about World Kid Lit Month, especially any teacher, bookseller, librarian or journalist friends you might have!
- Journalists and bloggers: you’ll find free graphics and more information in our public press pack here
- Teachers: if your pupils would like to publish their reviews of books in translation on World Kid Lit blog, email us at worldkidlit@gmail.com.
The World Kid Lit community is active on Twitter, Instagram, on Facebook where we have a page and a discussion group , and all our #WorldKidLitLIVE events are available to watch on our YouTube channel.
A Busy Month at World Kid Lit Blog
To help you explore world literature for young readers, we’ll be posting guest blog posts daily throughout the month. We’ve got some exciting things coming your way:
- Georgia Wall introduces us to Young Adult literature translated from Korean, Bengali, Russian, Italian, Palestinian Arabic, Latvian and Algerian-inflected French, while Johanna McCalmont reviews Francophone YA from Mauritius
- Lisa Davis will be giving us some guidance for foreign rights agents about pitching to English-language publishers
- We hear from Manuel Soriano at Topito Ediciones in Uruguay, learn more about the publishing scene in Peru from Oscar Calle Elescano, and a picture book translated from the Guatemalan Indigenous language, K’iche
- Dai Varela returns to the blog to tell us about children’s literature that translates us to and from Cabo Verde
- We have interviews with translators Nanette McGuinness and Hugh Hazelton as well as publishers AmazonCrossing Kids, New Africa Books and Enchanted Lion
- Anam Zafar shares tips for how to get younger children involved with translation in the classroom
- Lawrence Schimel will be talking bilingual books with Chattycat
- We’re also excited to welcome Brenda Dales from the US Board for Books for Young People (USBBY) and Rabeea Arif from CILIP: the UK’s Library and Information Association
- And so much more!
For September, we also welcome guest co-editor Jackie Freidman Mighdoll to the blog. Huge thanks to Jackie for all your help in preparing for this month long celebration!
Sign up to the blog now so you don’t miss a post!
Resources: New for 2021
With the help of dozens of volunteers, we’ve been busy compiling lists of books for all ages, to make it easier than ever for families, educators, librarians and booksellers to explore global children’s literature, especially in translation.
“The resources you have created for World Kid Lit Month are excellent, so comprehensive and interesting that I am sure that they will be valuable to teachers and librarians.”
Anne Thompson, Chair Surrey Branch of the School Library Association
We have new resources for schools, libraries and booksellers to help you find the perfect book. To find new releases, explore the 2021 list: children’s and teen books in translation, featuring books from over 28 languages.
You can search the World Kid Lit website for books by age category, by country of origin, language of origin (over 80 languages so far!), and you’ll find reading lists for various regions of the world in our downloadables area.
It’s easier than ever to pick a destination and fly there with a book!
#WorldKidLitMonth elsewhere
We’re thrilled to see that #WorldKidLitMonth is growing and evolving. Make sure you keep an eye on the following channels:
- Global Literature in Libraries Initiative
- Translators Aloud
- Jill! A Women+ in Translation reading series
- Trafika Europe Radio
- Mother Tongue Twisters
If you’re running an event or publishing an article about #WorldKidLitMonth, tag us on social media so we can share it, too!
Events
We have a dynamic Events page that we update regularly so if you’re planning an event this September relating to children’s/YA books/authors + languages other than English, please let us know! Tag us @worldkidlit and with hashtag #WorldKidLitMonth and we’ll retweet/share.
September 8th, 2021 15:00 UTC
Language learning via literature with speakers Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp and Hollie Cottrell.
Literary translator Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp and Hollie Cottrell from bookseller European Schoolbooks will talk about how reading in translation and reading in other languages has helped them in their language learning journeys and in their careers. Register here
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MERREGNON: LAND OF SILENCE
Friday 10 September
World premiere online of an orchestral score for an animated film, from Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in Konserthuset Stockholm! Merregnon: Land of Silence is the story of the orphan Miru, who embarks on an unforgettable adventure with her childhood friend Hikito and the trusty dog Mako. Their goal is to find out what is plaguing the Land of Silence, Merregnon. The story is by German children’s author Frauke Angel and the music is composed by Yoko Shimomura, one of the most prominent video game music composers of our time.
Narration will be in Swedish with subtitles in Japanese, German and English.
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World Kid Lit Translator Social
Tuesday 14 September 18:30 UTC (19:30 BST)
Free Zoom social event for translators into English from any language with an interest in writing for young people. Sign up here – hurry as places will be limited!
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The Bookseller Children’s Conference 2021
September 22nd 13:30 UTC
World Kid Lit Blog Co-editor Claire Storey presents a case study on Project World Kid Lit
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In the Bookshop with Nicky Harman
WEDNESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2021 AT 17:30 UTC
Chinese children’s literature in translation coming to a small bookshop near you (if you happen to live near Dorchester, Dorset, England)
Weldmar Hospicecare Trust Charity Book Shop, Dorchester
Prize-winning literary translator – and friend of Weldmar Bookshop – Nicky Harman will be returning to the bookshop to discuss her recent work in translating Chinese children’s books into English. There will be copies of Nicky’s work on sale, including White Horse, by Yan Ge (short-listed for the Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, 2020), as well as a selection of novels and picture books by prize-winning children’s fiction translator Helen Wang. This is a free event. No need to book, just turn up for an interesting and informative evening! If you can’t come to Dorchester, you can still donate to Weldmar! weld-hospice.org.uk
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Young Adult Studies Association (YASA) Book Club
30th September 19:30 UTC
Focusing on Here the Whole Time by Vitor Martins, translated from Brazilian Portuguese by Larissa Helena
This is a members only event; however if you wish to join YASA, please follow this link. There is currently no fee to join.
worldkidlit.wordpress.com 
[…] In honor of #WorldKidLit month, here are a few more recently published children’s books in translation to add to your bedtime (or any time) story routine. You can find a list of 2021 recommendations on the #WorldKidLit website. […]
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