Translated literature is often praised for introducing readers to other cultures, different literary traditions and forms, exploration outside of one’s comfort zone, greater empathy for others, and more. In short, translated literature offers different perspectives. Yet this is what all books do (all well-written books, that is). So why read a translated book rather than a non-translated one? Though it is not guaranteed that every translated book is a “good” book, they have each passed a particular test: while “classics” withstand the test of ‘time,’ translated books similarly withstand the test of ‘culture.’ Something about each one of these stories transcends boundaries that are not only linguistic, but national and cultural, too. If you would like to introduce your child to stories that are explorative, culturally transcendent, try some books that have been translated from another language.
While none of these lists (Picture Books, Middle-Grade Novels, Graphic Novels) is exhaustive, they may serve as a thorough entry into the translated works of our collection.
PICTURE BOOKS
Sato the Rabbit by Yuki Ainoya (Japanese)
A Dragon on the Roof by Cécile Alix (French)
Feather by Cao Wenxuan (Chinese)
The Golem of Prague by Irène Cohen-Janca (Italian)
Chirri & Chirra by Kaya Doi (Japanese)
Curious Comparisons: a Life-Size Look at the World Around You by Jorge Doneiger (Spanish)
The Stars by Jacques Goldstyn (French)
My Friends by Taro Gomi (Japanese)
Little Wise Wolf by Gijs van der Hammen (Dutch)
Billie and Bean in the City by Julia Hansson (Swedish)
The Moon Tonight: Our Moon’s Journey Around Earth by Chang-hoon Jung (Korean)
Ming’s Adventure in the Mogao Caves by Jian Li (Chinese)
Oops! by Julie Massy (French)
One Million Oysters on Top of the Mountain by Alex Nogués Otero (Spanish)
The Sleepy Owl by Marcus Pfister (German)
Everybody Counts by Kristin Roskifte (Norwegian)
My Pictures After the Storm by Éric Veillé (French)
If You Cry Like a Fountain by Noemi Vola (Italian)
Corner by Zo-O (Korean)
MIDDLE-GRADE NOVELS
Bronze and Sunflower by Cao Wenxuan (Chinese)
White Fox by Chen Jiatong (Chinese)
Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke (German)
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (German)
Tales from Moominvalley by Tove Jansson (Swedish)
Temple Alley Summer by Sachiko Kashiwaba (Japanese)
My Neighbor Totoro by Tsugiko Kubo (Japanese)
Soul Lanterns by Shaw Kuzki (Japanese)
Life According to Dani by Rose Lagercrantz (Swedish)
A Case in any Case by Ulf Nilsson (Swedish)
Secrets We Tell the Sea by Martha Riva Palacio Obón (Spanish)
Run, Boy, Run by Uri Orlev (Hebrew)
The Old Man Mad About Drawing: A Tale of Hokusai by François Place (French)
Popcorn Bob by Maranke Rinck (Dutch)
The Secret of the Magic Pearl by Elisa Sabatinelli (Italian)
The Runaways by Ulf Stark (Swedish)
Bruno: Some of the More Interesting Days in my Life So Far by Catharina Valckx (French)
A Dog Like Sam by Edward van de Vendel (Dutch)
I’ll Keep You Close by Jeska Verstegen (Dutch)
The Key is Lost by Ida Vos (Dutch)
The Murderer’s Ape by Jakob Wegelius (Swedish)
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Catherine’s War by Julia Billet (French)
The Magicians by Blexbolex (French)
Jane, the Fox, and Me by Fanny Britt (French)
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes (Norwegian)
Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier (French)
Astérix by Goscinny (French)
The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé (French)
Grandfather and the Moon by Stéphanie Lapointe (French)
Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic by Wauter Mannaert (Dutch)
Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic by Thom Pico (French)
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Joann Sfar (French)
~Abby Henkel, Youth Services Library Assistant