Early Childhood Educ J (2008) 35:371–375 DOI 10.1007/s10643-007-0207-2

Traveling the World with Outstanding International Children’s Literature

Jeffrey C. Brewster

Published online: 18 October 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007

Abstract In 2005, the United States Board on Books for In fact, it is already a cliche´ to refer to today’s world Young People (USBBY) and the Children’s Book Council, as a global village. Geographical distance no longer Inc. (CBC) formed a committee to evaluate, select and separates peoples, when advances in communications publicize books of exceptional quality which were origi- and information technology have made neighbor- nally published outside of the United States and hoods of what were formerly regions and states. We subsequently released by an American publisher. This care about what happens to the children held hostage article offers brief annotations of the 2006 and 2007 Out- in a school in Beslan; about the fate of 12 million standing International Children’s Book Award winners for people displaced by the flooding of the Yangtze River the K–2 age group—17 titles from nine different countries. in China; about the billions of dollars of damage from In addition, the work of USBBY and the CBC, Inc.,is the hurricanes in Florida or typhoons in Japan, briefly explained. Taiwan, or the Philippines; the displacement of peoples in Sudan and the rising numbers of refugees Keywords International children’s literature Á throughout the world. In this world with almost zero Award winning books Á distance and zero time, the Earth has become not just United States Board of Books for Young People Á smaller but in reality, one country with one world Children’s Book Council, Inc. Á Jella Lepman community. This is the new era of the 21st century, which requires new ways of thinking, new approa- ches to educating the young, a new concept of world How do we see ourselves? How do we see others? These citizenship, a paradigm shift from narrow thinking to fundamental questions demand reflection if we aspire to world mindedness. (Po-king 2004). international-mindedness. For some years now the term When Jella Lepman returned to Germany in 1945, ‘‘global village’’ has been in used as a metaphor for the she was shocked into action by the devastation that she interdependence of the world’s people. In a keynote speech observed in her home country. Lepman did not use the delivered at the Alliance for International Education Con- phrases of today—‘‘global village’’, ‘‘international-mind- ference in Dusseldorf, Germany, in October 2004, Dr. Betty edness’’, ‘‘world-mindedness’’. However, she believed Chan Po-king, Director, Yew Chung Education Foundation, wholeheartedly in the power of books to build bridges of Hong Kong, cautioned that it was time to think beyond the understanding between children of very different cultures global village concept and acknowledge that an entirely new and life experiences (Lepman 2002). Jella Lepman founded view of thinking and learning was needed for the 21st century. the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany with support from UNESCO in 1946, as a first step in achieving her goal. Her next project was to establish International & J. C. Brewster ( ) Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) in 1953. Today, Early Childhood Centre/Elementary School, International School of Brussels, Kattenberg, 19, Brussels 1170, Belgium IBBY is a professional organization with national sections e-mail: [email protected] in more than 70 countries. Lepman searched for people

123 372 Early Childhood Educ J (2008) 35:371–375 working with children and children’s literature who shared Selected titles would then receive the Outstanding her passionate belief that, through stories shared across International Children’s Book (OICB) Award. While OICB cultures, the children of the future would be able to con- awards are given to titles in grade-level categories: K–2, 3– struct a more tolerant, more accepting, more caring world. 5, 6–8, 9–12, this article shall focus only on the award United States Board on Books for Young People winners for the K–2 range. (USBBY), a national affiliate of IBBY, has as its mission to: The February 2006 issue of The School Library Journal announced on its cover: ‘‘It’s a BIG world after all—Books • promote international understanding through children’s are the best way to open kids’ minds’’ books by Kathleen Isaacs (http://www.slj.com/internationalbks). Eight titles were • give children everywhere the opportunity to have selected for the K–2 age group for the 2006 OICB Award. access to books with high literary and artistic standards This represented five different countries of original publi- • encourage the publication and distribution of quality cation: Australia, France, Spain, Sweden, and the United children’s books, especially in developing countries Kingdom. In the following annotations, the country in • provide support and training for those involved with children and children’s literature which the book was originally printed is listed after the ISBN. Annotations of the award-winning titles for 2005 in • stimulate research and scholarly works in the field of the other age categories are available in Isaac’s article children’s literature (Isaacs 2006) at the site mentioned above. The Children’s Books Council, Inc.,(CBC) is a non- In alphabetical order by authors’ last name, the 2006 profit trade association of publishers and packagers of trade recipients of the Outstanding Children’s Book Award books and related materials for children and young adults. include: The goals of the CBC, Inc., are to: • Browne, Anthony. My Mom. Illustrated by the author. • make the reading an enjoyment of children’s books an Farrar. ISBN 1-932425-22-5. (United Kingdom) essential part of America’s educational and social goals This affectionate and gently humorous picture book is • enhance public perception of the importance of reading notable for its compelling and comforting portraits of a by disseminating information about books and related materials for young people as well as information about workday mom. Captions incorporating similes and pat- terned language convey the amazing variety of traits that children’s book publishing make mothers everywhere special. Browne’s illustrations • create materials to support literacy and reading encour- agement programs, most notably through the annual in colored pencil are warm and inviting. observance of National Children’s Book Week and • Daly, Niki. Ruby Sings the Blues. Illustrated by the Young People’s Poetry Week author. Bloomsbury. ISBN 1-58234-995-9. (United Kingdom/South Africa) How are books, which have the potential for making a significant contribution to international understanding Lyrical text and vibrant mixed-media illustrations tell identified? A challenging question indeed, however, once the story of a girl and her ‘‘boom-box’’ voice. Ruby is one becomes aware of the work of USBBY and CBC, Inc., it ostracized due to the volume of her voice until the day her comes as no surprise, that they have accepted the challenge jazzy neighbors teach her to harness that powerful instru- to further explore this issue. These two professional orga- ment. Although this story could take place anywhere, nizations combined forces in 2005 to form a committee of Daly’s South African context shines on each page in his children’s literature experts to evaluate, select and publi- distinctly joyful watercolour illustrations. cize books of exceptional quality, which met the following • De Deu Prats, Joan. Sebastian’s Roller Skates. Illus- criteria: trated by Frances Rovira. Kane/Miller. ISBN 1-929132- • the book must have first been published outside the 81-6. (Spain) USA and selected for publication by an American Sebastian, a shy boy, discovers a pair of abandoned publisher within the last year roller skates. Overcoming his fear of falling and failing, he • the book should introduce American readers to out- learns to skate and, in so doing, he is able to express standing artists and writers from outside the USA his newly acquired self-confidence. Watercolors and col- • the book should help American children see the world lages illustrate Sebastian’s growth as the color palette from diverse points of view moves from shades of gray to vibrant hues. • the book should exhibit a distinct cultural flavor • the book should provide a perspective or address a topic • Grey, Mini. Traction Man is Here! Illustrated by the otherwise missing from children’s literature in the USA author. Knopf. ISBN 0-375-83191-6. (United Kingdom)

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Powered by his highly developed imagination, Traction • Browne, Anthony. Silly Billy. Illustrated by the author. Man is always able to save the day, even when confronted Candlewick. ISBN 0-7636-3124-8. (United Kingdom) with rather embarrassing fashion trends. Fast-paced Worrying about everything keeps Billy awake at night adventures of the intrepid action figure and his sidekick, until Grandma gives him some Guatemalan worry dolls to Scrubbing Brush, are accompanied by colourful, cleverly help manage his anxieties. More complications develop as designed, comically expressive illustrations. Billy begins to worry about the worries of the worry dolls. • McNaughton, Colin. Once Upon an Ordinary School Browne’s vividly colored surreal artwork and varied page Day. Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura. Farrar. ISBN layouts captivate the eye. 0-374-35634-3. (United Kingdom) • Butterworth, Chris. Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the With a nod to inspirational teachers, McNaughton Sea. Illustrated by John Lawrence. Candlewick. ISBN describes the transformation of an ordinary child’s ordinary 0-7636-2989-8. (United Kingdom) day into an extraordinary learning experience. A non- A brief text coves the physical characteristics of the conformist teacher encourages his students to visualize Barbour’s sea horse, its habits, life cycle, locomotion, and what they hear in the music he plays. His invitation stirs predators. Included is the role of the male in carrying the the imaginations of the children. The illustrations expand eggs until they hatch. Linocuts, printed wooden textures the color palette and convey the wry humor and subtle and watercolour washes create a rich, underwater setting. gestures of the characters. This was the only non-fiction submission from a publisher • Naslund, Gorel Kristina. Our Apple Tree. Illustrated by for consideration. Kristina Digman. Roaring Brook. ISBN 1-59643-052-4. • Daly, Niki. Happy Birthday, Jamela! Illustrated by the (Sweden) author. Farrar. ISBN 0-374-32842-0. (United Kingdom/ The illustrations capture the magic of a productive and South Africa) generous apple tree from which everyone enjoys the deli- The delightful Jamela is back with the story of her cious fruit. The soft pastel tones spill from page to page as disappointment with having to buy practical school shoes this simple story honors the apple tree. rather than the glittery princess ones she desperately wants. • Oremerod. Jan. Lizzie Nonsense: A Story of Pioneer This universal dilemma is resolved with a clever and sat- Days. Illustrated by the author. Clarion. ISBN 0-618- isfying solution. The illustrations sparkle with the energy 57493-X. (Australia) of life in modern, urban Cape Town. In the bush country of frontier Australia, Lizzie’s lively • Faller, Regis. The Adventures of Polo. Illustrated by the imagination keeps her mother entertained as they work and author. Roaring Brook/A Neal Porter Book. ISBN wait for her father to return from his trip to sell the harvest 1-59643-160-1. (France) of sandalwood. The imaginative adventures of Polo, a dog armed only • Valckx, Catharina. Lizette’s Green Sock. Illustrated by with a backpack and an umbrella, unfold in this wordless the author. Clarion. ISBN 0-618-45298 -2. (France) picture book from France. Polo travels by spaceship, boat and balloon. He fries sausages on volcanoes and frees a As Lizette attempts to find a missing sock, she has both captive polar bear. The acrylic paints used for the illus- amusing and realistic encounters with friends and bullies. trations are bold and dramatic in tone with strong black Lizette has her struggles, but her friend, Bert, helps her outlines, all of which makes for a delightful visual treat and see her situation in a new way. Together they come upon a celebration of the imagination. the perfect solution as they realize how socks, like friends, are always best in pairs. • Gravett, Emily. Wolves. Illustrated by the author. S & The 2007 OICB Awards for the youngest age group S. ISBN 1-4169-1491-9. (United Kingdom) (K–2) included nine titles from six different countries: Rabbit is oblivious to the fact that one of the menacing Denmark, France, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and animals he has been reading about in his library book, a the United Kingdom (Isaacs 2007). (One more title and one wolf, is intent on devouring him. In an alternative ending more country of original publication than the 2006 award for ‘‘highly sensitive readers’’, the wolf is eventually winners.) Again, the country in which the book was orig- revealed to be a vegetarian. The two animals share a jam inally published is listed after the ISBN. sandwich and become life-long friends. In alphabetical order by authors’ last name, the 2006 recipients of the Outstanding Children’s Book Award • Ichikawa, Satomi. My Father’s Shop. Illustrated by the include: author. Kane/Miller. ISBN 1-929132-99-9. (France)

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In this happy tale, alive with action rendered in vivid, that there weren’t many books submitted from Asia and watercolour paintings, Mustafa drapes himself in a rug only one from Africa. While it is true that American pub- from his father’s Moroccan carpet shop. As he parades lishers tend to purchase titles already in English, such as through the market with a cheerful rooster, the tourists who those from Australia, New Zealand and the United King- take delight in the spectacle, share how roosters sound dom, there were also submissions this year from Denmark, when they crow in their respective countries and languages. France, Germany, India, Ireland, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam. • Mahy, Margaret. Down the Back of the Chair. Illustrated by Polly Dunbar. Clarion. ISBN 0-618- Despite the gaps which exist in presenting a truly global list of outstanding international titles, the OICB commit- 69395-5. (United Kingdom/New Zealand) tees are proud to share the 2006 and 2007 selections. We Unexpected mayhem ensues when father looks ‘‘down hope that these titles will whet the appetites of parents, the back of the chair’’ for his lost keys. Detailed illustra- teachers, librarians, and booksellers who are searching for tions nearly burst off the pages as increasingly tantalizing new titles for children that will introduce them unbelievable items pop out from the chair, with ‘‘Uncle to this complex world of which they are a part. Bill’s long lost will’’ providing a most satisfactory con- Enabling children to travel the world through excellent clusion to this rollicking rhyme from New Zealand. books allows them to experience different points of view, • Rao, Sandhya. My Mother’s Sari. Illustrated by Nina taste different cultures, consider topics that may not be Sabnani. North–South. ISBN 0-7358-2101-1. (India) available in American publications, and meet new authors and illustrators. When we provide opportunities for Young Indian children incorporate their mother’s acknowledging and supporting the development of interna- exquisite saris into their dramatic play. The beautiful gar- tional-mindedness, we are contributing in significant ways to ments become a train, a stage backdrop, a river, a rope, a the realization of Lepman’s dream of a more peaceful world, hiding place and more. Ultimately the sari expresses the achieved, in part, by sharing bridge-building books. love of mother and child. Dramatic paintings in acrylics on lightly stylized paper illustrate the simple text. Endpapers demonstrate how to wrap the long sari. Useful Links • Rasmussen, Halfdan. The Ladder. Translated from Danish by Marilyn Nelson. Illustrated by Pierre Pratt. http://www.ibby.org Candlewick. ISBN 0-7636-2282-6. (Denmark) http://www.usbby.org Nonsense verse from a beloved Danish poet has been http://www.cbcbooks.org skilfully translated into rhyming couplets, which relate to http://www.slj.com the ladder’s encounters with those who ascend it and dis- http://www.intedalliance.org/browse.asp?catID=1774 appear. Full-page, brightly colored illustrations contain fold-out pages that elongate the climbing scenes. Split Acknowledgement With thanks to all committee members. The pages enable all parties to reappear en masse at the end of 2006 Outstanding International Booklist Committee: Kathy Issacs (Chair), Towson (MD) University; Joan Atkinson, University of the romp. Alabama; Ernie Bond, Salisbury (MD) University; Julie Corsaro, Annotations of these titles as well as the award winning children’s literature specialist, Chapel Hill, NC; Marian Creamer, selections for other age groups can be found at either of the Children Literature Alive! Portland, OR; Micki Nevitt, Westmere following sites: http://www.schoollibraryjournal. Elementary School, Albany, NY; Jinx Watson, University of Ten- nessee; Natalie Ziarnik, Ela Area Public Library, Lark Zurich, IL; com/article/CA6410489.html or http://www.usbby.org/ Judy Zuckerman, Brooklyn (NY) Public Library; and Susan Stan, ex biblioctte.html officio, Central Michigan University. The 2007 Outstanding Inter- One challenge that the committee intends to address is national Booklist Committee: Kathleen Isaacs (Chair), Towson (MD) the need to have books from as many countries as is pos- University; Carolyn Angus, Claremont (CA) University; Ernie Bond, Salisbury (MD) University; Jeffrey Brewster, International School of sible for consideration (Bond 2006). Currently, titles are Brussels, Belgium; Micki Nevett, Westmere Elementary School, submitted to the committee by publishers. As the OICB Albany, NY; Glenna Sloan, Queen’s College, CUNY (NY); Susan Award becomes more generally known, increased pub- Stan, Central Michigan University; Jinx Watson, University of Ten- lisher participation can be hoped for. Other obstacles also nessee; Maureen White, University of Houston (TX). exist, including the absence of Canadian titles, which are not eligible for the list due to publishing agreements References between Canadian and American publishers. Unfortu- nately, Latin American titles are under-represented because Bond, E. (2006). Reading outstanding international children’s books. US publishers are not buying them. It is also unfortunate Journal of Children’s Literature, 32(2), 70–76

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Isaacs, K. (2006). It’s a BIG world after all—Books are the best way Po-king, B. C. Educating the 21st century child: A new approach to to open kids’ minds. School Library Journal, 52(2), 40–44 international education. Available: http://www.intedalliance.org/ Isaacs, K. (2007). Book your trip now—The Outstanding Interna- sdata/documents/1098%201203%20Educating%20the%2021st% tional Booklist is just the ticket to take readers to some faraway 20Century%20Child%20-%20Keynote%20Speech%20by%20Dr.% places. School Library Journal, 53(2), 44–48 20Chan%20Po-King.doc. Retrieved 30 June 2007 Lepman, J. (2002). A bridge for children’s books: The inspiring autobiography of a remarkable woman. Dublin: O’Brien Press

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