Down the Rabbit Hole...

I’ve been avoiding sitting down and writing this post for a few days now.  I’m not good at endings, which is rather problematic for my aspiring authorship dreams, as well as a number of other facets of my life.  But it’s the end of the semester, and it’s time to put a wrap on this little project of mine. 

Right?

Well…  Maybe?

As I reflect back on the journey I’ve been taking the last ten months, I can’t help notice that in many cases I think I’ve turned up more questions than answers.  Early on, I jokingly referred to it as “tumbling down a rabbit hole” because I likened it to all the oddities that Alice encountered in her pursuit of the White Rabbit which led her through his rabbit hole and into Wonderland.  I recognized that I was stepping off into uncharted territory and perhaps getting in over my head.  While I wanted to discover Wonderland, if you will, I first needed to accomplish the task at hand.

Now that I’ve done that, I’m anxious to go back and narrow my focus a little bit more on any of these specific “rabbit holes” that grabbed my attention early on.  I’m especially intrigued by the pairing of authors and illustrators from different countries like we saw with My Grandmother Lives In A Perfume Village.  Since that post I encountered a few other titles from countries other than China, that have similar unexplained pairings, and I’m wondering now if it was done for similar reasons.  If so is this a possible way to promote translated literature, at least in picture book form?  What about pairing another country’s beloved author with an American illustrator?  As I noted in that post, there are some potential cultural conflicts to consider, but it’s an interesting thought.

I’d also like to go back and spend a lot more time learning about regional language rights.  It was something I encountered on a few titles in my infamous poop post.    I still don’t understand why the same book would be published in the same language (English) with two completely different titles and just a few words changed otherwise.  I can see why this might happen for a longer text, but a picture book?  Some of those ideas I discussed that are used to “modify” texts from source to target language don’t really factor into a 600 word picture book.  That being the case, why two translations?  I’m sure there’s more to this specific rabbit hole, and I’d really like to learn more.

There were a number of other topics that I really was only able to break through the surface on that I’d like to go back and explore further.  I’d never heard of wimmelbooks before, but their concept fascinates me.  The artwork that I encountered in many of the books was worth a lot more research.  I especially enjoyed those by Kilaka, and a number of the handmade books offered by Tara Books, such as the trio by Nathan Kumar Scott paired with three different Indian illustrators and the absolutely gorgeous Drawing from the City.  Considering I found it rather last minute, I’d also like to go back and learn more about the codex art that originated in South America that was used in Migrant.

“What” is shared with young readers around the world, specifically in picture book format, which I discussed extensively during my controversy category could have been an entire independent study all of its own.  I really struggled to narrow down specific topics to look at and books to cover.  I’d like to investigate how different cultures “police” books or if they do at all.  What does it take for a children’s book to land on a banned list in other countries?

The deepest rabbit hole of them all, which has numerous off-shoots along the way, is why are there so few texts being translated and published in the United States?  And one step further, does it matter?  Are we (a collective we, as in the nation) so elite that we can’t learn or benefit from literature around the world?  I honestly don’t believe that’s the case, and along the way I’ve offered up a number of possibilities that all together, may at least shed some light on the matter.  But what I’ve managed to do here is kind of like when you see an iceberg; it’s looming and massive, but what’s seen about the surface of the water is only 10% of its entire mass.  This leads me to wonder then what else we might be missing.  To explore this gigantic rabbit hole would take way more than one semester, especially considering that it is constantly evolving and I don’t think there really is just one answer.

I guess what I’m trying to say in my own bumbling way is, this is not the end.  Maybe the end of my independent study that will earn me college credit (I’m really hoping for an A!) and further my undergraduate career, but not the end of my continuing to promote the importance of diversity in the world of children’s literature, including but not limited to, global diversity.  What I’ve realized along the way is that I love to learn.  I love to dig, I love to try to connect the dots and then offer up my own take on the picture they create.  I love to share my thoughts and ideas and then be able to listen to others around me for their perspective.  There is no one story, one way to view the world around us, no one person’s journey is exactly like another’s and I want to hear as many stories told in the voices they emanate from that I possibly can.

Somewhere along the way I began to realize that graduation in April was not “the end” for me either.  This project has been a piece of the bigger puzzle I’ve been putting together that is my future.  It has created new opportunities for me along the way.  I was so excited to have my first article published.  I’m looking forward to hopefully presenting at this year’s Undergraduate Symposium at Eastern Michigan University.  I also just recently learned that I will be presenting at the Michigan Reading Association’s Annual Conference in March!  Somehow, this piece has also contributed to me figuring out “what I want to be when I grow up.”  (I know, at 34 I’m a little behind the curve on this one.  Better late than never!)  When I enrolled at Eastern two years ago I really wanted to write.  While I still think that’s a part of my future, I think I may be able to make a bigger impact in the classroom.  I’ve long since known that I don’t have the patience, creativity and stamina to teach younger students who are the readers of the literature I love, but I thrive in a college setting.  I want to teach (and learn from!) those that do have the capacity to teach those younger minds.  If I can help instill a passion (or more than a tepid interest) in children’s literature for them, they can pass it on to the young readers that so need it.  I also hope that this would give me the ability to continue my research and writing in specific areas of children’s lit that fascinate and motivate me to keep learning and digging.  I’ve recently applied for the Graduate School at Eastern, and if I get in I will be pursuing my Master’s in Children’s Literature.  Eastern is one of the only school’s that offers this specialized degree.  Most others allow you to earn a degree in literature with a concentration in children’s literature, but Eastern’s program is structured uniquely.  I’ve also just submitted my application to be a Graduate Assistant, which would allow me to earn some classroom experience and learn from some of the amazing faculty at Eastern.  So I suppose in many ways, this is just the beginning.

I’ve also decided that this isn’t “the end” for my blog.  Every time I’ve sat down to write a post I have been reminded the joy that this type of writing brings me.  It allows me to be me.  And it gives me a platform to share what is meaningful in my life.  If people read it, wonderful.  If not, I enjoy the creative outlet.  I don’t think that I’ll be blogging as regularly as I have been – 2,500 word posts twice a week are exhausting! – and I don’t plan on restricting it strictly to translated picture books, but I am going to keep the blog up and running.  I intend to continue to share unique, diverse and meaningful books from the world of children’s literature.  I’d love for anyone interested to read along.  But, I’m sticking to Disclaimer #1!

Since I hatched this idea of mine almost a year ago, I have been blessed beyond measure by the support I have received along the way.  For whatever reason, she took a chance on me and added overseeing my project to an already full class load and busy life, Professor Jessica Kander has my deepest gratitude.  While I have mentioned numerous times along the way how patient, understanding and insightful (did I mention patient???) she has been, I know that I would have thrown the towel in or fallen down numerous rabbit holes along the way without her guidance.  She has believed in me, pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me figure out that “what’s next” piece with her encouragement.  I’m also blessed to have quite the cheering section at home.  From my computer engineer husband who has been the first to read and edit all of my posts (oh, the irony) because he’s the only person who knows what I mean to say better than I do sometimes, to the two literary critics that call me “Mom,” they have been there every step of the way.  I’ve also had plenty of support from my extended family and friends who have listened to me babble about some of this endlessly and forgiven my absences as I’ve tried to juggle all my different responsibilities this semester.  Thank you also to those who have reached out with ideas, suggestions or just words of support and kindness. 

I don’t know anyone that lives a fairy tale existence, so it’s unrealistic to tie up what I began as “once upon a time” with “happily ever after.”  Nor do I think that it’s been a dream, as Alice does after falling down a rabbit hole and landing in Wonderland.  It’s been an adventure, for sure, but I’ve been wide-awake, learning and evolving along the way.  Besides, this isn’t the end, it’s just onward and perhaps down a few of those rabbit holes along the way. 

Just the Facts "And" Why It's Important

Up to this point, I’ve avoided talking facts and figures when it comes to translated literature in the United States.  My first intention was to share the fact that these books were even out there in the first place, something I readily admit I was fairly ignorant to until I began all this.  My second intention was to showcase how reading across borders is an often-overlooked aspect in promoting diversity in the world of children’s literature.  Thirdly, I wanted to ponder the myriad of “whys” that my first two intentions tend to generate.  In order to do that, we have to begin at the beginning and take a closer look at what’s actually being published in the United States annually in terms of translated literature.

 

But I’ve held out up until now because, well, because I find it slightly depressing.  Across all genres, translated literature makes up about 3% of the publishing industry in the United States.  Three Percent, a resource regarding international literature run by the University of Rochester, is a wonderful source of information, facts, figures and finer details.  They do a wonderful job keeping up with current trends in the industry and keeping a list of translated materials currently being published.  Unfortunately, their work doesn’t really delve into the genre of children’s literature.  But as a research tool, what they have to say is extremely important.

Especially given that the figure of 3% is slightly misleading.  That percentage includes ALL translated materials, which could include manuals, instruction booklets and other technical documents. If you then factor in the percentage of published materials that are reprints or classics, the amount of texts that are fiction or poetry by current living authors from around the world is a fraction of that percentage. 

A 2013 article from Publishing Perspectives sounded a call to “join the fight” for more translated titles to be brought to English speaking countries.  (The UK also lags far behind, with only about 4% of the publishing going to translated titles.  Could it be an English language connection?  What does that have to say about the perceived notions of Americans and the British about their literature?  I’m sensing a rabbit hole here, perhaps another blog, another day…)  The article cited statistics about some other country’s current translated publication trends, noting “in Poland a staggering 46% of books published are titles in translation, in Germany over 12%, in Spain around 24% and in France around 15%.”  These figures mostly hold true for the literature for adults, so what about for children?

I found this incredibly insightful article (and recent, written in July 2017) from translator Lyn Miller-Lachmann, whose work I acknowledged in my honorable mention category a few posts ago for her translation of Lines, Squiggles, Letters, Words.  In it, she discusses this summer’s American Library Association’s Annual Conference in Chicago, where she organized a panel for YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) titled “Reading the World: Selecting and Presenting Global Literature for Teens.”  For her introductory portion of the panel, she focused on the rationale for libraries collecting international books in translation, citing “statistics showing that in most of Europe and Asia, books in translation account for 30-50% of all children’s books published, whereas in the United States, the percentage was 3.7 in 2015 according to the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. That 3.7% was a vast improvement over 2003, when the percentage was 1.9.”  It is also worth noting that of all children’s books being translated, picture books make up the largest percentage.  So while there is hope, we are still far behind the rest of the world in general.

The question then becomes, what can we do about it?  The deficiency has been noted, so what power do we have to make publishers pay attention?  And what’s important to remember when looking for, choosing and reading translated titles?

• The most obvious is to make your choices know through the titles you’re purchasing.  Let’s be honest, sales matter.  Next time you’re going to expand your bookshelf, consider adding a translated title.  If you’re not able to purchase them yourself, ask your library to consider adding them to their buying list.  I’ve noted multiple times how difficult it is to get some of these titles, some with only one copy in all of the lending system in my home state of Michigan. 
• long that same line, share titles that you like with others.  Make them aware of how much you enjoyed the book and why.  I’ll get back to this point in a little bit, about how to share these books, but just know that it’s important to let your voice be heard.
• Seek out additional translated titles if you find an author you like, or an illustrator, or if you find yourself enjoying books from a certain country or region of the world.  I have included a list of wonderful references and starting points on the right-hand column of my blog.  Don’t get hung up on books that win awards or earn rave reviews – read what appeals to you.  I’m not saying that they’re not always worth those awards, but remember that what is deemed the “best” in these awards isn’t necessarily the “best” of what is out there.  Also remember that what the best a particular country, language, author or illustrator has to offer is not what we are seeing, as it’s never been translated.  Our perception is shaped by what small fraction makes its way to us.
•  Similar to that, remember that there are many ways to get “lost” along the way when reading a translation.  I discussed a number of them in this post and the three that followed.  Don’t dismiss a book simply because it seems “weird” or “foreign.”  It may require a little extra legwork or research on your part to figure out why it doesn’t seem quite right.  Or maybe it might not be your thing, and that’s completely OK!  We don’t like every book we pick up, no matter where it originated and that is perfectly acceptable.
• Pay attention to the details.  Remember that we’ve often discussed how important the role of the translator is and that they deserve to be credited for their work.  Seek out titles where you can find the name of the translator – if not on the cover or title page, at least in the copyright information.  When a person is credited it gives value to their work and an added value to the book as a whole.  You know one specific person did their best to credibly take a story from its source language to its target language.

How to share these titles has been something that I have been consciously aware of since I first started writing blog posts.  Back in September, I was just getting into the swing of research and blogging when I began to worry about my approach to sharing these books.  I wanted to present a realistic and balanced approach to the world of translated picture books, but I was worried that I was placing too much emphasis on reading any of these books “because” they were translated.  My goal had always been to share interesting books around the world, noting why they were significant and special, “and” that they were translated.  The internal struggle of “because vs. and” began to weigh heavily on me.  I shared my concerns with my family and few friends who reassured me that they knew well enough what my intentions were, but I was concerned that was not as evident to the average reader.

Overwhelmed, I turned to my amazing mentor, who offered me “so write about it.”  Whenever I’ve gotten stuck along the way she’s been a wonderful sounding board, so I immediately took her advice and crafted a post that lifted so much weight off my shoulders.  I showed it to her, telling her that I wanted to post it right away, before I really started sharing too many titles.  She suggested, instead, that I consider that this was better left for the end, as thoughts to share on how anyone reading this humble little blog of mine may re-evaluate their own views on why translated literature is important.  So I offer you the following, crafted by yours truly very early in September…

I think I’ve gotten hung up on semantics.  It’s not an uncommon theme for a writer – you hem, haw, brood, fret and worry about exactly the right word.  It needs to convey everything you mean, just how you mean it.  Right there in black and white.  It’s a daunting task when you’re verbalizing the words.  When you’re putting them on paper it can be terrifying.  And exhausting. 

I know because I’m exhausted.  I’ve been losing sleep and fretting about two little words and how they shape this project.  So much so that I wanted to address them in an unscheduled, off-category post.

According to my friend Webster, ‘because’ means “for the reason that; since.”  It implies that something happened, a choice was made, action was taken due to the fact that it was influenced by something else.  For me, it feels exclusive – cause and effect.  I see it as limiting, linear, without choice.  The only reason that the next action occurs.

On the opposite end of my current spectrum based on this perspective is the word “and.”  That word is used to link items together.  It does not give any additional weight to one over the other.  There isn’t a ranking or causation associated with “and” – each is of equal importance, it is just one more factor for consideration and merit.

Lately, I have been concerned that I am doing this project “because” they’re translated.  That the fact that they began in another language, in another country is enough to consider them worthy of note.  Even if that note is just some undergrad student sharing her viewpoints.  The more I’ve thought about it the more I worry that may be what I’m portraying through my blog.  That I’m encouraging readers to pick up these books ‘because’ they’re translated.

I hope not.  I hope that after you read a post or after you (I hope!) read one of these or other translated titles on your own that you read it for its own experience; enjoying it for its uniqueness, beauty, perspective ‘and’ as an additional consideration, it’s translated.

I will readily admit that when I first started finding books I was in the ‘because’ category.  That’s what I needed to do at that time to begin to stockpile materials.  That was what originally interested me, reading it for this project ‘because’ it was translated.  But once I found them and as I began to think about how to share my findings I moved strongly into the ‘and’ camp.  I never want to insinuate that I think anyone should reading some of these books ‘because’ they’re translated texts.  That is unfair and limiting.  It is, as I was recently reminded by my wise advisor, reminiscent of what novelist Chimamanda Adichie describes in her TED talk as “The Danger of a Single Story.”  That is a dangerous path to travel down, one that is definitely not the intention of what I am trying to do here.

As I’ve said and will continue to say, I am learning.  I don’t have all the answers.  I don’t know everything (though according to my kids my Mom does!).  I’m simply excited, elated, thrilled and honored to shed a little light on what is such a niche market in the world of literature.  I don’t want to do that ‘because’ of what it is, I want to shed the light on it ‘and’ show how special that makes it.

Semantics it may be but hopefully I’ll sleep better tonight.

I have to admit that I smiled and got warm-fuzzies reading this back.  After nearly thirty posts, I have no doubt about my own intentions anymore.  It is my hope that message has been conveyed.  I additionally hope that this is how you may consider sharing translated titles with others as you find them.  Especially with young readers.  It is so important to allow the readers these picture books are “intended for” to make their own decisions about them, and to react as they will without preconceived notions.  I’ve personally found one of the best way to share a translated picture book with young readers (and a good number of adults, for that matter) is to sometimes let that detail go unmentioned until after they have read it.  Then it can be pointed out that it was translated, where it is from, what they liked and noticed.  If we gatekeepers don’t give an indication that a book is “weird” or “different” or “foreign” we give them power to react freely.  Perhaps they will find something they like, pass it along and it will have a domino effect.  It might not be earth-shattering, but the more awareness that is brought to the importance of diverse reading, including globally diverse reading, the more the publishing industry will (hopefully!) start to take note.

One last post.  I honestly can’t believe it.  What am I going to do with myself after this is all over?  And what about all those rabbit holes?  Another blog, another day?  I’ll be back here Tuesday with the answer to some of those questions.  And probably a whole lot more questions…

  

A Finale of Favorites

We’ve come to my last post of “favorites” and I can’t give you a concrete way to connect these four books other than the fact that I adore them.  So without further ado…

Why Dogs Have Wet Noses

By: Kenneth Steven

Illustrator: Oyvind Torseter

Translated by: Kenneth Steven (see notes about Steven below for explanation)

When we discussed folktales and mythology, I noted that one of the reasons these types of stories have a global appeal is because many cultures each have their own unique version of a singular story.  Consider creation, for example.  Many cultures have their own version of how it all began.  The destruction of that creation, very often by water, is another common story.

Using the story of Noah and the ark from the book of Genesis, which is part of the Jewish Torah and the Christian Old Testament, Scottish born, Norwegian based author Kenneth Steven pairs with Norwegian illustrator Oyvind Torster (who you may remember from My Father’s Arms Are A Boat), build in an additional element to teach us Why Dogs Have Wet Noses.  The story (mostly) follows along with the familiar telling for the majority of the book until the ark springs a leak!  For lack of a better option, Noah calls on his faithful canine companion for help by sticking his nose in the hole to plug the leak.  Uncomplaining, the dog does his job for forty days and forty nights until the ark and all its contents arrive safely.  From this saving act came the reason why Noah’s dog and all his offspring then have wet noses.

This type of story, known as a pourquoi story, is a branch on the folktale/fable/mythology tree.  I would venture to guess that Steven isn’t the first person to pen a similar story about the noses or dogs or an animal that “saved” the ark, but I found this one unique mostly because of its illustrative aspects.  I made no qualms about my appreciation for Torseter’s work before, in part because of this book.

My favorite element is his use of thumbprints as part of the illustrations.  It is most notable in Noah, where he uses a pink thumbprint to give a flesh like appearance to the character’s face.  While it is strictly my own interpretation it made me wonder if it was Torseter’s way of signifying the hand of God in creation.  The thumbprint ONLY appears as part of human or animals, not any manmade elements.  It made me think and has led to rather extensive conversations with those I have shared the book and my theory with.

I also appreciated the human elements woven into the pictures.  For example, Noah has tattoos.  Some of the animals wear clothes and hats.  They eat what we would probably consider human choices such as lollipops and fried chicken.  Wine also flows freely during their long sea voyage.  The use of build supplies to make the letters of the title and the first letter on each page are also small but insightful touches.

I’d also be remiss to not note something I completely missed on my first reading.  Though she’s never named or directly mentioned, an observant reader may spot Noah’s wife throughout the book.  What’s unique is how she changes in subsequent illustrations, suggesting that more life left the ark than boarded it.  You’ll have to read the book yourself to see if you can spot it and let me know what you think it means.  This take on creation earns a thumbs up from me.

Wolf Wanted

By: Ana Maria Machado

Illustrated by: Laurent Cardon

Translated by: Elisa Amado

Wolf Wanted, by Brazilian author Ana Maria Machado, was one of the first translated books I read when I started this project.  After nearly a year, this one still remains near the top of my list, primarily because I have an immense amount of respect for the creativity and research that must have gone into this book’s creation.  That being the case, I will readily admit that this book might not be for everyone.  I can also easily see it being labeled as one of those “weird” translations.  So allow me to make a case for why I honestly believe this is one worth checking out.

An ad appears in a newspaper, stating “Wolf Wanted. A good-looking adult, with experience, for a responsible position” which is accompanied by instructions to send a letter and CV (a resume to us Americans!) to the newspaper.  Looking for work, Manny Wolf applies only to learn that the ad wasn’t looking for a human with the last name Wolf, rather they are in need of actual wolves.  Impressed with his writing skills, the company hires him to read and respond to the other letters they have been receiving.  Well-read, Manny starts to notice a theme in the letters, as they are all from wolves written about in literature around the world.

The pages that follow are letters penned in the voice and style of literary wolves you may or may not recognize.  I will be the first to admit that this book made me do my homework (or rather sent me googling) as I was not familiar with a number of the letter writers.  While you may expect appearances by Red Riding Hood’s nemesis and The Big Bad Wolf of Three Little Pigs fame, Machado digs deeper to include characters from around the world.  She pulls from the depths of Roman mythology to include Romulus and Remus, the friend of Francis of Assisi, the Wolf of Gubbio and even the wolf who torments Peter, Sasha, Sonia and Ivan in the Russian work set to music by Sergei Prokofiev, to name just a few.

It turns out the original ad was a mistake, as it was intended to help find real wolves to shoot a film documentary.  Manny places a clearer ad and the realistic responses appear on a world map as the final two pages of the book.  Breeds of wolves, short descriptions and photographs mark the map, adding even more information to this jam-packed book.

I realize the story may not appeal to everyone, and I did think some of the writing was a little clunky, or that perhaps it didn’t flow as smoothly as I am used to encountering (which as we’ve noted could be author or translator related, there’s no way for us to know unless we speak Portuguese…).  But the unique and creative presentation made that easy to ignore in my opinion.  The text is lengthier, so I’d recommend this more for a slightly older crowd that picture books are normally aimed at.  Either way, it’s a must as far as I’m concerned.

One last thing, if you have a few extra minutes, I strongly suggest reading this interview with author Ana Maria Machado, especially in regards to her views on her works being translated and how they’re received (specifically in the United States).  I found it extremely insightful, though it is a rather old interview, dating back to 2000.

Hail to Mail

By: Samuil Marshak

(Interesting note, the cover of the book has the author listed as “Samuel Markshak” but I’ve included the correct spelling of his name here)

Illustrated by: Vladimir Radunsky

Translated by: Richard Pevear

I know that I suggested “proceeding cautiously” when it comes to translated poetry, but this book by “the father of Russian Children’s Literature,” Samuil Marshak, is one worth doing so for.  Originally penned in 1927 by Marshak, this tribute to the journey of a piece of certified mail around the globe in prose form was translated in 1990 by Richard Pevear and then also illustrated by Vladimir Radunsky for publication in the United States. 

On its journey to find its intended recipient, a man by the name of John Peck, the piece of mail travels from New York to Boise, Idaho, to Zurich, Switzerland, to Brazil and then back to New York, always ones step behind the globe-trotting Peck.  Short poems saluting the intricacies of mail from postage to carrier are interspersed between stops at each of the aforementioned destinations.  Upon finally returning to New York where the letter finally reaches Peck, he greets it with disbelief at the methods and terrain it traveled to reach him, many of which have been depicted on the previous pages.  The story ends with praise for mail carriers around the world with “And all that, thanks to those who go/ Through dusty heat and freezing snow/ Glory to them, I say and hail/ To their heavy bags that bring the mail.”

How often do we stop and think about just what it takes to get a piece of mail from Point A to Point B?  In our modern world of e-mail and text message, the importance of what the postal service does is probably overlooked even more so.  (Well, perhaps not at this time of year…)  I liked the reminder that this book provided and its global perspective in doing so, even if it may be a little outdated.  While I’m slightly skeptical of the rhyme scheme’s authenticity and found parts of it problematic if you attempt to read it aloud, they actual rhyme did make the book even more fun to read and the inclusion of location names from around the globe added a realistic element to the letter’s travel.  Radunsky’s illustrations add a special nuance to the poem, especially of stamps and hand-addressed envelopes, something that may not be readily recognizable to some young readers.  They were filled with beautiful details, with particular detail paid to make the specifically mentioned locations recognizable. 

The uniqueness of the poetry and its praise for an often forgotten and under-appreciated profession is what earned it a spot in my favorites category.  Also, I wish I had a ton more post space to dedicate to Marshak.  He is incredibly fascinating, especially his extensive work in translation.  If you’re interested you can read more about him here or here about how outside of Russia he is really only known for his work in children’s literature, though his career spanned different genres, or in either or the links from earlier in this section.

The Fly: How A Perfect Day Turned Into A Nightmare

By: Gusti

Translated by: Karen Coeman

I have pondered endlessly the “best” way to share this book because I don’t want to give it away.  I went into my first reading of it with absolutely zero knowledge or expectations and “gobsmacked” is the best word I’ve come up with to describe my feeling as I turned the final pages.  What now strikes me on subsequent readings as painfully obvious completely caught me off-guard the first time.  I would hate to take that experience away from anyone.

But, this is not an easy title to get your hands on.  A quick search on Michigan’s library site shows that there are only three copies available in our whole state!  On Amazon, a new copy sells for nearly $90 currently.  Months ago, after my first reading, I knew I had to add a copy to my own library.  Through searching many second-hand book websites (I personally love Discover Books and Better World Books if you’re trying to track down rarer used titles) I finally was able to (reasonably) purchase my own copy.  If you’re local-ish and want to borrow it, let me know!  If you can find a copy on your own – do it!  If you can’t, or you don’t mind a spoiler, read on below.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

A fly, eagerly prepares for a day at the beach.  He packs up everything he needs from beach ball to sunscreen and sets out on his way.  After delicately dipping his toe in the water, finding it not too hot and not too cool, he dives in for a swim.  Suddenly, the sky darkens and the day takes an unexpected turn.  The world shakes and something begins to fall from the sky…

(Last chance to turn back…)

The large brown object drops from the sky, splashing water everywhere, sending the fly sailing out of the toilet bowl he’s been swimming in!

Yes, that’s right – the toilet bowl he’d been swimming in one someone had come along and taken care of business.  The illustrations show a young boy leaving the bathroom (shouting “All done, Mom!”) with a very disgruntled fly in a puddle on the ground.  Yes, I’d say his perfect day had turned nightmarish…

I mentioned before that after that first reading, it seemed so painfully obvious where the fly was on later readings and that is largely in part due to Gusti’s illustrative style.  On closer inspection, a reader might notice that the backdrop in one scene looks strikingly similar to those stark white block titles often seen in a bathroom.  Or that the “shoreline” of the where the fly dips his toes in curves suspiciously like a porcelain throne.  But if you weren’t looking for them, they would be easy to overlook.  It was the combination of how duped I felt by the story and the illustrative techniques Gusti uses, combining paper with easily identified objects, that still makes this one of the ones that I absolutely love to share with unsuspecting readers.  I can’t claim that it’s “quality literature” – it’s a book about a fly swimming in a toilet after all – but I found it highly entertaining and still do every time I read it.

My kids loved it so much that we ended up tracking down one of Gusti’s other books, Half Of An Elephant.  This one may be a little easier to find a copy of and my daughter especially absolutely loves it.  The story of what happens when the world suddenly splits in two combined with similar illustrative techniques as seen in The Fly: How A Perfect Day Turned Into A Nightmare would make this one I would definitely suggest checking out.

As before, I have a few to add to the Honorable Mention category:

Super H

By: Olivier Douzou

Illustrated by: Philippe Derrien

If you like Super Heroes, this is one to check out from French author Olivier Douzou.  Henry, is on a mission to determine what exactly a superhero is and it leads to some humorous situations.

999 Tadpoles

By: Ken Kimura

Illustrated by: Yasunari Murakami

When 999 tadpoles hatch, Mom and Dad frog realize their pond is no longer big enough to hold their family.  The family goes on quite the adventure to find a better space.  All those tiny frogs were just too cute!  There are additional “999” titles available as well by Japanese author Kimura.

Happiness Is A Water Melon On Your Head

By: Stella Dreis

Translated by: Daniel Hahn

This is one of those books that there is so much more there than we often give credit to a picture book being able to deliver.  There’s a great synopsis here.  But what I want to point out is that the book was actually written by Dreis, but was re-written in verse form by translator Daniel Hahn, so he is credited for the text on the cover (and mistakenly listed as the author on many places online that you may go searching for books), but it originally appeared as A Felicidade é uma Melancia na Cabeça.  Also interesting to note, is that Dreis was born in Bulgaria, lives in Germany, but it was Brazil where the title was first published in Portuguese.

Well, there you have it.  Some of my favorites out of everything that I’ve read.  Interestingly, one thing that I’ve noticed as I’ve been writing the past three posts is without any conscious intention to, I have really covered titles from across the globe, perhaps more so than I was able to do with any other post or category.  I’m not sure what that says about my personal taste, but given how strongly weighted the translation market is with European titles, I found it extremely interesting that my favorites were much more eclectic.

And with that note, we’re down to the wire!  I have two more posts left to share before the end of the semester, Friday I’ll be sharing some insight on what the translated market in the United States currently looks like as well as the “why” behind choosing translated titles.  Then I’ll be back in a week to wrap it all up, and maybe finally make a decision to dive down one of those rabbit holes I’ve been mentioning…

A Few Special Stories

I’m back again today with some more of my favorites!  For this set, it was really about a unique element of the story itself that caught my attention.  From a way to subtly teach math, to a story about a more than capable princess, to a lesson on the importance to being who you are, to a book that warmed my heart with how well it represents the world around us, these were four that left their mark on me in significant ways.  So without further ado…

365 Penguins

Author: Jean-Luc Fromental

Illustrator: Joelle Jolivet

Translated by: Maggie Lehrman

What would you do if, on the first day of the year, a penguin showed up on your doorstep, complete with instructions to “feed me when I’m hungry”?  What if that penguin was then joined by 364 of his closest friends, one each consecutive day that followed?  Where would you put them?  How would you feed them?  And where on Earth are they coming from?

This over-sized picture book from French author Jean-Luc Fromental reminded me of a childhood favorite of mine, Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  (The book, definitely not the movie.)  But I thought Fromental’s tale offered a unique twist.  A family of four seem to be minding their own business when day after day, penguins keep showing up at their door with instructions to care for and feed them.  At first, like many of us might be I’m sure, they’re delighted with their black and white bird friends as houseguests.  But if the saying goes that after three days houseguests, like fish, begin to stink, you can imagine how problematic it might become if that’s your visitor's favorite meal.

What made this book memorable for me (other than indulging a dream to host a few web-footed friends of my own) was how the family problem solves strategies on how to contain their ever-expanding brood (or a raft, rather, as that is the correct term for a group of penguins).  Mathematical concepts such as addition, multiplication, division, organization into sets and even cubes are used to track, maintain and classify the family’s guests.  The fun storyline and the humor regarding problems the family must combat (the smell!) keep the math from becoming a strictly didactic feature of the text.

The illustrations, done by Joelle Jolivet, as you can imagine are mostly black and white, accented by orange, blue and grey.  It’s a limited color palette that used purposefully including to set one penguin out among the masses by giving him blue feet.  “Chilly” adds a seek and find element to much of the second half of the book, where the pages are populated with penguins. 

I don’t want to spoil the ending and the fact that this book has been recently reiussed should make it a tad easier to get your hands on a copy, something I highly recommend doing.  Additionally, though I haven’t had a chance to check them out myself, Fromental and Jolivet collaborated on a few other titles, including Oops! which features the family from 365 Penguins and Bonesville.

The Princess Knight

By: Cornelia Funke

Illustrated by: Kerstin Meyer

Translated by Anthea Bell

As I’m currently raising a strong-willed, independent seven (almost eight!) year old girl, stories that resonate that “girl power” vibe tend to stand out.  To be clear, not just to share with my daughter, but my son as well, so that they are both exposed to strong female characters.  This, and the other works by German author Cornelia Funke are among my favorites as her female characters are not only strong but spunky, (a word that has often been used to describe my Bean) but she constantly shows they thriving is very non-conventional roles.  I adore her book Pirate Girl, as well, but it is The Princess Knight that landed on my favorites list.

The story reads much like a fairy tale, complete with some familiar tropes, such as the childbed death of the Queen.  Her untimely demise leads to the King deciding to raise the newborn Princess, Violetta, just like her three older brothers.  She’s tiny and not nearly as strong as her brothers, who are unrelenting in their teasing and superiority complexes as Violetta struggles to keep up.  But the Princess is determined, sneaking out to practice her jousting skills in the middle of the night eventually earning the respect of her older brothers when her skills begin to surpass their own.

True to fairy tale lore, though, the place of Violetta has been predetermined, and the King announces a joust with the grandest prize of all; the hand of the Princess in marriage.  Violetta wants no part in it and her refusal leads the angry King to lock her in a tower.  Her youngest brother visiting offers to help, but Violetta simply answers, “I better see to it myself.”

I won’t spoil this one either, other than to say that “happily ever after” does come into play, solely at Violetta’s own hand.  I’m a sap for fairy tales, but the ‘damsel in distress’ angle is often grating to my modern sensibilities.  I appreciate how Funke interweaves all the elements readers cherish in those classic tales with a strong, realistic heroine.

It’s also worth mentioning the superb work of the translator, Anthea Bell.  In the world of translation into English, Bell is a legend.  She is best known for translating from Dutch, French and German and has seven (yes seven!) books to her credit that have won the Batchelder award.  Honestly, if it hadn’t been on the title page or if I hadn’t already been familiar with the fact that Funke was German, I never would have guessed that this was a translated book.

As I mentioned if you like the strong female Funke uses as the main character in many of her stories, Pirate Girl is another great one to check out – especially for pirate Molly’s mother and shipmates.  Funke has also written a number of novels, most of which have been translated into English.  Noah really enjoyed her Inkspell trilogy, which was also made into a motion picture.  My favorite part of Funke’s work is her ability adapt a genre to meet today’s needs.

Guji Guji

By: Chih-Yuan Chen

Translated by: Hsin Yi Publications (original publisher)

I mentioned in the “Lost” category that the picture book industry in China is fledgling compared to the industry in the United Sates and most of Europe.  This means that we see very few translated titles from that part of the World.  With that in mind, I’m delighted to share Guji Guji, from Taiwanese author Chih-Yuan Chen, here with some of my other favorites.  This story, which reminded me a bit of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling,” is all about being true to who you are and the importance of family.

One night, an oversized egg rolls into Mother Duck’s nest without her noticing (because she’s reading!).  When the first three ducklings, so perfectly named Crayon, Zebra, and Moonlight hatch, they’re joined by ‘a rather odd-looking duckling’ from the fourth egg who greets them with “Guji-Guji’ which becomes his name.  Young readers will be quick to note that the ‘odd-looking duckling’ is actually a baby crocodile!  But Mother Duck and the others either don’t notice or don’t care.  Guji-Guji learns to swim, waddle and dive with the rest of them, often better than the rest.  Though “no matter how quick they were, or what they looked like, Mother Duck loved all her ducklings the same.”

When Guji-Guji encounters three crocodiles one day, they taunt and tease him for thinking he’s a duck. No matter how many physical characteristics the crocodiles point out they share with Guji-Guji, he remains insistent that he IS a duck.  They try to convince him to help them eat the duck family since he is ‘one of them.’  Lost and alone, Guji-Guji must decide who he truly is and how to protect those he loves.

Of course, Guji-Guji saves the day but you’ll want to read this one for yourself to find out how “every day he became a stronger and happier “crocoduck”.”  Like the previous two book’s ability to weave in a deeper meaning without being heavy-handed with the moral or lesson, I love the message readers will take away from Guji-Guji.  I also appreciated the creative extra details such as the names of the ducklings, the toy duck on a string Guji-Guji leads everywhere and the muted color pattern that felt slightly reminiscent of a swamp, especially when the crocodiles come into the story.  As I mentioned with Funke’s work, that ability to modernize with a new spin on elements of classic tales is something I really appreciate and made this an easy choice to include with my favorites.

(Kristi’s side note:  There is a note in the back of the book from Chen, saying that the story was inspired by a friend who had been adopted, who had felt isolated and alone growing up where he looked different.  Yuan goes on to say it is his hope “that children from all over the world can learn to accept different people and things and see the world with broader views and minds.”  A few of the reviews and insights to the book I found when I was researching mentioned that casting Guji Guji’s biological family (the crocodiles) as evil and frightened is problematic in terms of it being a story about adoption.  I’m mentioning it here because I do think it’s a valid point but that thought honestly did not cross my mind when I read it, I was much more struck by how assured Guji Guji was in who he was and the love he received from Mother Duck and his siblings.)

A Bus Called Heaven

By: Bob Graham

Though not translated since author/illustrator Bob Graham hails from Australia, I was so touched by A Bus Called Heaven, that there was no way I could leave it off this list.  I have read many of Graham’s books (My animal lover, Noah, strongly lobbied for How To Heal A Broken Wing and Mikayla loved the fairies in April & Esme Tooth Fairies) but there were a few things that made this one stand out amongst them for me.

When an abandoned bus, with its destination set as ‘heaven’ ends up on the street in Stella’s neighborhood, changes begin to happen.  Though no one knows where the bus came from or why it’s there, Stella decides that together the community can “make it OURS.”  With the help of her very eclectic community, the bus beings to change before Stella’s eyes.  People begin to use the bus as a place to gather and enjoy each other’s company.  Like the bus, the community itself begins to transform.

That is until one day when a tow truck arrives with instructions to return the bus to a junkyard as it’s creating an obstruction and is against city regulations.  The community follows the bus to the junkyard, pleading for it not to be crushed, but to no avail.  Stella then offers the junkyard boss a deal; a game of table soccer where the winner keeps the bus.  When he asks her why he should play, she shares that there are sparrows nesting in the engine (which a keen-eyed viewer may have spotted in an earlier illustration!).  I won’t ruin the details of exactly how it all goes down, but this one has a happy ending for Stella and her neighbors.

I mentioned that Stella’s neighborhood is “eclectic” and it is one of the things that made this one memorable for me.  In a thirty-six-page picture book, Graham pays a lot of attention to providing a diverse and unique cast of characters.  His illustrations are full of different skin colors and styles of clothing unique to specific cultures, and he also uses names in the text that reflect of the cast he has created.  From babies to the elderly, Graham shows his characters interacting and appreciating each other.  I couldn’t pinpoint the location of the book (other than a neighborhood in a large city) and I loved that any kid could pick this book up and see themselves and others they may not represented.  In the classic children’s lit analogy, I thought this book was a wonderful representation of both a window and a mirror. 

Admittedly, there are some gaps in the story that go unexplained, but there was so much good and positive that warmed my heart with this text that I could easily forgive small inconsistencies.  This is a book we need right now, one that shows when we peacefully come together, we can inspire change and growth.  It is a book that shows we are more together than we are on our own.

Honorable Mentions:  So beyond the ones listed above, here are a few more that I think are worth checking out for their story-telling elements.

A Well Mannered Young Wolf

By: Jean Leroy

Illustrated by: Matthieu Maudet

If you like reimagined fairy tales, this one from French author Jean Leroy this one made me laugh at the trouble that befalls a wolf on his first hunting trip when his prey isn’t quite as honorable as he is.

The Pros and Cons of Being A Frog

By: Sue deGennaro

Friendship can be tough and I Australian author Sue deGennaro tackles it brilliantly in this book about a little boy who likes to dress up as animals and his friend Camille, who looks at the world slightly differently.

Lines, Squiggles, Letters, Words

By: Ruth Rocha

Illustrated by: Madalena Matoso

The story of a young boy learning how to read by Brazilian author Ruth Rocha intrigued me from the beginning.

Also, though I discussed them extensively in previous posts, I would highly recommend Celia as well as both The Tiny King and The Big Princess.  I’ll be back on Tuesday with one more post with some of my favorites.  I can’t believe how close we are to the end!  See you back here next week!