A Celebration of Children’s Books in Translation from Europe

OIW has produced a booklist representing countries within the EU to demonstrate the importance of sharing literature across borders.

“Abroad is not just about politics; it’s also about different ways of seeing, feeling and behaving.” These words are from Nicholas Tucker’s article 'Children’s Books in Translation; Why is there a British problem?' in the Outside In: Children’s Books in Translation guide edited by Deborah Hallford and Edgardo Zaghini, published by Milet in 2005. Tucker was commenting on the state of UK publishing at that time and the dearth of children's books from other countries being translated to English.

We set up Outside In World in 2007 to raise the profile of children's books in translation and to advocate for more. Since then, the situation has improved, with the publication of a much more diverse range of children's titles from different countries. It would be immensely sad and a real loss to literature if this improvement were to be stalled or even halted as a result of Britain's exit from the EU. We sincerely hope that this will not be the case and that we can look forward to more books in translation, including works from languages that do not appear on our EU booklist.

Deborah Hallford, 2020
Co-founder Outside In World

Austria

Fly Away Home
Christine Nöstlinger
Translated from German by Anthea Bell
Andersen Press, 2003
Fiction 9-11

Christine Nöstlinger is one of Austria’s most well-known children’s authors. Fly Away Home, first published in English in 2003 and translated by Anthea Bell, is about the last few months of the war in Vienna under the Russian occupation.  When eight-year-old Christel Göth’s home is gutted by a bomb, the family – including her father who has deserted from the army while hospitalised – take refuge in a large suburban villa just outside the city. This is an autobiographical novel providing an unsentimental account, sometimes sad, sometimes funny and although it does not dwell on gory details, nothing is evaded.


Belgium

Azizi and the Little Bird
Laila Koubaa, illustrated by Mattias de Leeuw
Translated from Flemish by David Colmer
Book Island, 2015
Picture Book 6-8

Azizi lives in the land of the Crescent Moon governed by two despotic rulers where free speech is stifled and the people live in abject fear. The rulers' decree that all the blue birds must be captured and locked in a big cage in the courtyard of the palace. Azizi knows he must find a way to help them.  A timeless, contemporary fairy tale by Laila Koubaa, translated from Flemish by David Colmer,  was inspired by the Arab Spring, and in particular the Jasmine Revolution in Tunisia in 2010/11. In a clever allegorical twist, the blue birds are representative of Twitter and the widespread censorship of the internet. Whimsical pen-and-ink line drawings by Mattias De Leeuw accompany the evocative text.


Croatia

Odohohol and Cally Rascal
Matko Sršen
Translated from Croatian by Celia Hawkesworth
Istros Books, 2014
Fiction 12+

Odohohol is a boy with special powers who lives in a future world in which Evil has become the dominant force permeating every fibre of the Universe.  Despite this, Odohohol represents new hope for all life and is determined to bring about change. He joins forces with others from the ‘secret resistance’ in the fight to restore Good to the world. Along with his friend Cally Rascal, Odohohol embarks on a journey to the Enchanted Land where he must fight a decisive battle with Evil upon which all their futures depend. Matko Sršen’s novel, translated by Celia Hawkesworth, combines several genres: science-fiction, fantasy, psychology, and teenage drama.


Czech Republic

The Story of Violet
Tereza Stehlíková
Bilingual Book in both English and Czech
Go Together Press
Fiction 9-11

Violet is a dreamer.  She talks to the trees and the flowers in her garden and instead of watching TV she tries to learn the language of plants and animals and at night she has the strangest dreams. Each dream is a valuable lesson in showing her how to look and discover that the world is beautiful and full of meaning. Tereza Stehlíková’s philosophical tale is about dreams, longing and the mystery and wonders of the world. The illustrations have an ethereal quality expressing the dream sequences in rich, vibrant colours.  Although not translated from Czech into English this is a bilingual book produced in both languages.


Denmark

Elise and the Second-hand Dog
Bjarne Reuter, illustrated by Kirsten Raagaard
Translated from Danish by Siân Mackie
Wacky Bee Books, 2018
Fiction 9-11

Elise is often lonely.  With her mum away working in Brazil and her dad busy trying to get by as a musician in Mysundegade, Denmark where they live, Elise asks for a dog to keep her company. When they visit Petifar’s Pet Salon Elise sees a dog that isn’t much bigger than a rabbit, smells of cheese and suffers from asthma but she thinks he’s the sweetest dog in the world so how can her dad refuse? A funny and poignant novel by Danish author Bjarne Reuter with atmospheric comic-style black and white illustrations by Kirsten Raagaard and a polished translation from Siân Mackie that captures the humour and pathos so perfectly.

Estonia

The Gothamites
Eno Raud, Illustrated by Priit Pärn
Translated from Estonian by Adam Cullen
Elsewhere Editions, 2019
Picture Book 6-8

The Gothamites is a funny tongue-in-cheek tale from Estonia’s most celebrated children’s author, Eno Raud, translated by Adam Cullen. First published in Estonia in 1962 these ten short stories follow in the best nonsense tale tradition. Famed for their sensibility and keen wit, the Gothamites were consulted far and wide by foreign heads of state from all around the world. The trouble was that this left them with no time for themselves, so they had to find a solution.  Replacing their wisdom for stupidity chaos naturally ensued! Teeming with richly coloured illustrations from Priit Pärn hilarious slapstick scenes abound showing the Gothamites in their breath-taking incompetence. Fans of nonsense-style tales will relish Pärn’s exuberant artwork and Raud’s clever wordplay.

Finland

Maresi Red Mantle
Maria Turtschaninoff
Translated by A. A. Prime
Pushkin Press, 2019
Fiction 12+

Armed with her new knowledge, taught to her at the Red Abbey, Maresi leaves the safe world of her sisters to return to her impoverished family in the province of Rovas to set up a school for girls in her village. But once home Maresi realises all is not well – the people are struggling under the rule of the oppressive nádor and are too busy trying to survive to see the value of her teachings. Narrated in an epistolary form through a series of letters Maresi sends to her friends and superiors back at the Abbey, this concluding title in the Red Abbey Chronicles by Finnish author Maria Turtschaninoff, translated by A. A. Prime, is a multi-layered, coming-of-age story.

France

The Herring Hotel
Didier Lévy, Illustrated by Serge Bloch
Translated from French
Thames & Hudson, 2019
Picture Book 6-8 

A delightfully quirky tale about a rundown rather old and dilapidated hotel by the sea. The narrator Gabriel lives with his parents and helps look after the eccentric residents, most of whom have been living there for years. As the hotel crumbles all around them, the family and residents realise it’s time to say goodbye, however, just in time they receive a welcome surprise. Full of humour and eccentricity French author Didier Lévy’s chatty narrative is complimented by renowned French cartoonist and illustrator, Serge Bloch's free-style pen-and-ink drawings on bold backgrounds of colour.

Germany

Apple Cake and Baklava
Kathrin Rohmann, Illustrated by Franziska Harvey
Translated from German by Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp
Darf Publishing, 2018
Fiction 9-11

When Leila joins Max’s class in a school in rural Germany she feels out of her depth. Having fled Damascus in Syria with her mother Aisha and two brothers Alan and Ferhad, leaving behind her beloved grandmother and father, she has to adjust to a new life in a country far from home. A powerful and moving book dealing with asylum, how it feels to be a refugee in a strange country and building new friendships. With an excellent flowing translation from Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp, this gentle story cleverly expresses emotion through food – Grandma Gertrude’s Apple Cake is cooked with love and holds so many memories and Hassan’s Baklava reminds Leila’s family of home.
 

Greece 

Tina’s Web
Alki Zei 
Translated from Greek by John Thornley
Aurora Metro Press, 2007
Fiction 12+ 

Thirteen-year-old Tina’s happy life in Germany falls apart when her parents announce they are splitting up.  Tina suffers from bronchitis and as her health deteriorates it’s decided that she should go and live in Greece with her paternal Grandmother for a year. Tina becomes a rebel: she shaves off her hair, plays truant from school and refuses to listen to her grandmother. Tina just doesn’t care about anything anymore because she has found the answer – an amazing little blue pill. Tina’s Web by Alki Zei, who is one of Greece’s most popular children’s writers and a former dissident, successfully explores the problems of drugs, family breakup, cultural differences and the clash of generations.
  

Hungary 

Arnica, the Duck Princess
Ervin Lázár, illustrated by Jacqueline Molár
Translated from Hungarian by Anna Bentle
Pushkin Children’s Books, 2019
Fiction 9-11 

What a treat this book is to read. Princess Arnica lived with her father King Tirunt in a royal palace with 36 towers and 300 windows. Arnica has a very sensible and understanding father because he believes his daughter should choose who she wants to marry. Completely original and extremely funny, it breathes life into the traditional fairy tale model bringing a very modern twist – especially what happens when your fiancé is turned into a duck! Award-winning Hungarian author Ervin Lázár’s unusual and witty classic tale, expertly translated by Anna Bentley, draws the reader straight into the story from the very first page. The comedic aspect is further enhanced by the wonderfully rich and colourful artwork by Jacqueline Molár.
 

Italy

The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree
Paola Peretti, illustrated Carolina Rabei
Translated from Italian by Denise Muir
Hot Key Books, 2018
Fiction 9-11 

The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree tells the story of nine-year-old narrator Mafalda who has a degenerative eye condition. As she poignantly measures the distance at which she can see the cherry tree near her school, using it as an indication of how rapidly her eyesight is failing, she comes to realise with the help of friends and family what will be truly important in her life when she ultimately loses the ability to see. A bitter-sweet story by Italian author Paola Peretti, whose poetic language is perfectly captured by Denise Muir’s lilting translation, that is both inspiring and empowering.

Latvia

The Dog Who Found Sorrow
Rūta Briede, illustrated by Elīna Braslina
Translated from Latvian by Elīna Braslina
The Emma Press, 2018
Picture Book 6-8 

The Dog Who Found Sorrow – An entire city is enveloped in mysterious billowing clouds of black smoke. Everything becomes grey, robbing it of its vibrancy, colour and scent and it is up to a brave dog to uncover the source of the greyness and make it go away. An unusual and lyrical tale by Latvian author Rūta Briede. A clever parable about the power of the emotions, made accessible by the simplicity of the language, swirling white text and very visual atmospheric smudgy black shadow illustrations by artist Elīna Braslina, who also translated the story into English. 

Lithuania

The Fox on the Swing
Evelina Daciūtė, illustrated by Aušra Kiudulaitė
Translated from Lithuanian by
The Translation Bureau
Thames & Hudson Inc, 2016
Picture Book 6-8 

One day on his way to the bakery something quite unusual happens. Paul encounters a fox wearing bright blue boots enjoying himself on one of the swings in the park. It is the start of an unlikely friendship. The fox can be moody and Paul doesn’t always understand his wise and thoughtful` musings on happiness and the importance of friendship.  An original story by Lithuanian author Evelina Daciūtė, translated by The Translation Bureau, which has a refreshing honesty that gently challenges readers in terms of the philosophical dialogue and myriad of unexpected detail in the bright, zany mixed-media illustrations by Aušra Kiudulaitė.
 

Netherlands 

Hey, Who’s in the Loo?
Harmen van Straaten
Translated from Dutch by Laura Watkinson
Red Robin Books, 2018
Picture Book Under 5 

Bear desperately needs to go to the loo but the door is locked and the toilet occupied. It’s not long before a queue starts to form outside as he’s joined by Pig, Elephant, Tiger, Penguin, Monkey and Giraffe.  When will their patient wait finally come to an end? Who is in the look and why are they taking so long? Hey, Who’s in the Loo? is a hilarious picture book by award-winning Dutch author and illustrator Harmen van Straaten.  The clear rhyming text, adeptly translated into English by Laura Watkinson, and expressive watercolour illustrations are sure to have children giggling from the outset.
  

Poland 

Oscar Seeks a Friend
Pawel Pawlak
Translated from Polish by Antonia Lloyd-Jones
Lantana Publications, 2019
Picture Book 6-8 

Oscar the skeleton has lost a tooth – “it’s hard for a small, ugly skeleton to make friends” he observes mournfully. Luckily for Oscar, he manages to find a friend and together they make an unusual journey to two very different worlds. There is a lot to ponder and notice in this remarkable picture book by Polish author/illustrator Pawel Pawlak, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Pawlak has described creating the book like working on an animated film. The minimal text with its conversational style ensures it is the artwork that tells the story and there is a real ethereal quality to the illustrations. An unusual tale of friendship and shared experiences that create special bonds even when differences seem profound. 

Portugal 

Where do we go when we disappear?
Isabel Minhos Martins
Illustrated by Madalena Matoso
Translated from Portuguese
Tate Publishing, 2013
Picture Book Under 5 

So, where do we go when we disappear?  This is the big question that Portuguese author Isabel Minhos Martins and illustrator Madalena Matoso tackle in their second book to be translated into English following on from Where do we come From. Although it might be considered a somewhat complex concept for a very young audience the author deals with the theme in a gentle childlike way that can be understood. Written in a conversational style the text has a poetic quality and Matoso’s illustrations are simple but vibrant with their striking block colour complementing the text perfectly.
 

Slovenia

Dinosaurs?!
Lila Prap
Translated from Slovenian
North South Books, 2010
Picture Book Under 5 

Narrated by a family of chickens, the story begins with Mama Hen finding a book behind the house that claims that chickens are the descendants of dinosaurs. This causes some amazement in the chicken family and they set out to find out whether or not this is actually true. The format of Slovenian artist Lila Prap’s beautifully designed book is clever, innovative and a fun way for children to learn about dinosaurs. Each chick asks a question such as "What does the word DINOSAUR mean?" The answer is contained in the heading of the next two-page spread. The illustrations are rich and appealing and at the back of the book, there is a timeline of how chickens might have evolved from dinosaurs. 
   

Spain 

The Artists: Tales from the Hidden Valley
Carles Porta
Translated from Spanish by Daniel Hahn
Flying Eye Books, 2018
Picture Book 6-8 

Change is in the air in the hidden valley tucked far away between tall mountains.  It’s autumn and Ticky is preparing to fly south to a warmer climate, but he’s reluctant to leave without saying goodbye to his good friend Yula.  However, she’s nowhere to be found. This is an appealing, quirky tale by Spanish author and illustrator Carles Porta, translated by Daniel Hahn, about a fantastical hidden valley and its endearingly curious cast of inhabitants. With a whimsical style of storytelling, gorgeous, lively illustrations and unusual characters, such as the mysterious tiny ballerina with the head of an onion, this is definitely one to savour.

Sweden 

The Runaways
Ulf Stark
Translated from Swedish by Julia Marshall
Illustrated by Kitty Crowther
Gecko Press, 2019
Fiction 9-11  

When Gottfried Junior’s grandpa suffers a bad fall he finds himself confined to the hospital which he hates. Gottfried Junior loves his Grandpa, visiting as often as he is allowed, and even when he’s not, he goes anyway. Grandpa can only think of the place he was happiest – the island where he lived with Grandma until she died. And it’s up to his grandson to find a way to get him there. One of Sweden’s best-loved authors Ulf Stark’s prose, translated by Julia Marshall, is refreshingly honest and straightforward in their dealings with old age, infirmity, family tensions and the closing stages of life.  Illustrated by award-winning artist Kitty Crowther, the vibrant coloured-pencil drawings capture the emotion within the book superbly.