Translated books are something I love because they broaden our perspective of the world by teaching us a thing or two about art, aesthetics, and ways of thinking—sometimes in surprising ways! That is the case with these two books.
September is World Kid Lit Month. Here is a list of translated book recommendations for your kids, and here is how to get involved!
Quill the Forest Keeper by Marije Tolman (Author) and David Colmer (Translator)
I first learned about his book by reading this wonderful interview with author Mel Schuit.
I was instantly drawn to Tolman’s style. With her real-life photographs, colorful hedgehogs, and whimsical rhinos, the forest inhabitants are truly heartwarming.
“Long, long ago it was so busy.
Nobody had time to stop for a moment.
Everything and everyone had to be higher, faster,
further, bigger, prettier, more!”
This is how Grandpa Hedgehog begins his story about the Rush Era.
As the forest dwellers rushed past, nobody had time to stop and enjoy the breeze or help clean up the forest. Everyone was in a hurry except for our tiny hero, Quill. He loves taking care of the forest and taking time to enjoy himself in nature. Do you think his attitude will be contagious? Will anyone even notice?
Maybe all the animals will pull together to keep their forest clean and healthy and learn to slow down in the process.
Quill the Forest Keeper is available on August 13, 2024.
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pages: Hardcover 32 pages
ISBN: 9781646144525
Up next, this is an incredible metaphor for growing old and how friendship can change one’s mood:
The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower by Lee Gee Eun (Author) and Aerin Park (Translator)
This book has received a surprisingly warm welcome in South Korea. (Korean picture books are always masterpieces!) It features a combination of comic-style vignettes and full-blown illustrations, plus some silly scenes in between. Because of the dynamic drawings and the story rhythm, it felt shorter than it actually was.
Tiger is a bit of a grumpy bully: he is always yelling for food and attention and menacing everyone who hangs around him. When the forest dwellers see him, they scamper away quickly and never include him in anything.
Everything changes when a talking dandelion shoots down from space and attaches permanently to his tail.
Tail-Flower will not come off even though Tiger shakes his tail and yowls in frustration. Instead, she becomes her good friend and starts making amends with everybody.
They now embark on several adventures together, rescuing a lost egg, helping others cross a river, and even throwing a party!
The surprising thing for me was that they grew old together, becoming aged and faded in their own ways. The passing of time and the inevitable last adventure is not something that we see every day in children’s picture books.
When a tiger gets snared in a hunter’s net, old Tail-Flower has a plan. Because they will always be connected and be friends, even if Tail-Flower blows away…
The Legend of Tiger and Tail-Flower is available on August 13, 2024.
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pages: Hardcover 80 Pages
ISBN: 9781646144594
