Amazon translating award-winning kids’ books from around the world into English
On Friday, Amazon Publishing announced the launch of Amazon Crossing Kids, a new imprint for children’s picture books in translation. Amazon Crossing Kids aims to increase the diversity of children’s picture books in translation and encourage young reading from a range of cultural perspectives. Amazon’s latest initiative will begin with three picture books and is seeking picture book submissions from all regions of the world.
The first titles on the list are:
- Spiky, written and illustrated by Ilaria Guarducciand translated by Laura Watkinson (7/1/2019): First published in Italy in 2016, this is the story of a forest creature named Spiky, who spends his days bullying the other forest creatures and sharpening the spikes on his body. But suddenly, when he begins to lose his spikes, he must learn how to befriend the other creatures of the forest and share his softer side, making meaningful relationships along the way.
- A Tiger Like Me, written by Michael Engler, illustrated by Joëlle Tourlonias and translated by Laura Watkinson (9/1/2019): First published in Germany in 2016, this sweet story follows a little boy who likes to reimagine his world as that of a tiger’s. This “tiger cub” shares with the reader a day in the life of him and his “tiger” family—waking up in the den, eating in his favorite spot, and how a little tiger feels when he’s awake, hungry, or in the mood for an adventure. With splendor and delight, this little boy encourages the reader to get creative with his or her own imagination.
- Along the Tapajós, written and illustrated by Fernando Vilela and translated by Daniel Hahn (10/1/19): First published in Brazil in 2015, this is the story of two children—and their pet tortoise Titi—who live in the region of Jarí, a small community that links the Amazon and Tapajós rivers. Every year, the families living there must relocate when the rainy season starts. When the boy and his sister move with their family, they realize that they have left Titi behind! Eager to rescue him, the pair sneaks back at night on a journey along the river. This story offers a unique look at this way of life.
“We’re delighted to blend the missions of Amazon Crossing and Two Lions by introducing terrific books from around the globe to readers who are beginning to develop their worldview,” says Mikyla Bruder, Publisher of Amazon Publishing. “Whether a title has a universal theme with regionally-influenced artistry or focuses on an aspect of local culture, our list will encompass a broad range of perspectives, styles, and characters that celebrate what makes us unique as well as what we have in common.”
Award-winning translators, Laura Watkinson and Daniel Hahn, will translate the first titles from Amazon Crossing Kids. Laura Watkinson has translated from Dutch, Italian, and German and is the winner of the Vondel Prize for her Dutch-to-English translation of The Letter for the King as well as a 3-time winner of the Mildred L. Batchelder Award.
Daniel Hahn has translated works from Portuguese, Spanish, and French and is the recipient of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize for his translation of The Book of Chameleons and was shortlisted for the 2016 Man Booker Prize for his translation of A General Theory of Oblivion, which won the International Dublin Literary Award.
“Publishing and translating children’s books from around the world is an important way to provide young readers with writing, illustration, and storytelling of the most extraordinary range and quality,” says Daniel Hahn, translator of the forthcoming Amazon Crossing Kids picture book Along the Tapajós. “Any new attempt to broaden our literary horizons, by making it easier for a greater variety of books to find a greater pool of readers, is to be welcomed enthusiastically!”
Both Amazon Crossing and Amazon Crossing Kids accept book proposals from any language for translation into English at translation.amazon.com/submissions.
(Source: Amazon)
~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
