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THE

WORLD

THROUGH
PICTURE
BOOKS
Librarians favourite
books from their country
Edited by
Annie Everall OBE and Viviana Quiones
THE
WORLD
THROUGH
PICTURE

BOOKS
Librarians favourite
books from their country
Edited by
Annie Everall OBE and Viviana Quiones

A programme of Section Libraries for Children and Young Adults,


IFLA International Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions in collaboration with IFLASection Literacy and Reading
andIBBYInternational Boardon Books for Young People.

Programme co-ordination:
Annie Everall, in collaboration with Viviana Quiones
About the editors

Annie Everall is a Director of Authors Aloud UK and a childrens books,


libraries and reading consultant. During her career she has developed
and managed a range of award winning innovative library services
andreading initiatives in the UK including the Derbyshire Big Book Bash
for Children in Care, Derbyshire Book Pushers programme of teenage
reading advocates, the Birmingham Centre for the Child, The Young
Readers UK childrens literature festival and the Stories from the Web
online reader development initiative. She is a childrens book reviewer,
serves on the CILIP School Libraries Group committee and the Journal
ofLibrarianship andInformation Science editorial board. She has been Chair
of the CILIP Youth Libraries Group and the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway
Awards. Shehas been the UK representative on the Libraries for Children
andYoung Adults section committee of IFLA and is now on the Literacy
& Reading committee. In 2001 she was awarded the OBE (Order of the
British Empire) for services to childrens books and libraries.

Viviana Quiones, from Argentina and France, has worked since 1985
atthe French National Centre for Childrens Literature formerly known
as La Joie par les livres which became part of the Bibliothque nationale
de France in 2008. At its International Department, she has cooperated
with African librarians and publishers since 1987. She has developed the
collection of African books for young people and promoted them through
exhibitions. She was a founder of the journal for childrens librarians
Takam Tikou in 1989 and has been its editor and contributor since then.
She has managed an African network for childrens reading and taught
many training sessions in different countries. She edited the best-selling
handbook Faire vivre une bibliothque jeunesse: Guide de lanimateur (2005)
and has published numerous articles and papers. She is a standing
committee member of IFLA section Libraries for Children and Young
Adults since 2007; she initiated its Sister Library programme in 2009
andis currently Chair of the section.

http://www.ifla.org/en/node/6718

Illustrations by David Pintor, www.davidpintor.com


Design by Ursula Held, ursula@helddesign.com

The World through Picture Books/Edited by Annie Everall and Viviana Quiones
The Hague, IFLA Headquarters, 2013 140 p. 30 cm. (IFLA Professional Reports:135)

ISBN 978-90-77897-61-4
ISSN 0168-1931
THE
WORLD
THROUGH
PICTURE

BOOKS

Contents
5 Foreword
7 Introduction

1 1 Algeria
14 Argentina
18 Benin
22 Brazil
27 Cameroon
30 Colombia
33 Croatia
38 Denmark
42 Finland
45 France
48 Germany
5 1 Guadeloupe (France)
55 Haiti
59 India
62 Japan
66 Republic of Korea
70 Lebanon
73 Madagascar
77 Mali
80 Mauritius
83 Netherlands
86 Nigeria
89 Norway
93 Philippines
96 Qatar
100 Reunion Island (France)
104 Romania
108 Russian Federation
112 Senegal
115 Serbia
118 Singapore
121 South Africa
124 Sweden
127 Switzerland
133 United Kingdom
137 USA
THE
WORLD
THROUGH
PICTURE

BOOKS

Foreword
By Viviana Quiones We are very happy to publish the results of this participative, international, ongoing
Chair, IFLA Section Libraries programme, The World through Picture Books. It deals with something we childrens
for Children and Young Adults
librarians must never lose sight of, even if we are so busy with new technologies, budget
viviana.quinones@bnf.fr
restrictions, everyday work: read childrens books and choose the best ones for our readers.
Of course, we could spend hours discussing what best means, but one thing it surely means
is very good books from the readers own country and from as many other countries as
possibleThis is why, inspired by Kazuko Yodas request to our Committee foradvice on the
top ten picture books in Committee members countries, we launched The World through
Picture Books programme, in2011.

Librarians from thirty-six countries have already made their choices which we publish here.
Papers on picture books in several countries were presented at IFLA conference in Helsinki
and are on line (http://conference.ifla.org/ifla78/session-99). Thanks to publishers generosity,
the selected books were exhibited in Finland during IFLA conference 2012 and at Bologna
International Childrens Book Fair 2013. Two touring exhibition collections are based in the
National Libraries of France and Japan; they are available to be booked by any country wishing
to exhibit them.

We wish to warmly thank all country co-ordinators and all childrens librarians in all countries
that have worked for this programme: it is their participation that makes itvaluable.
Andmany warm thanks to Annie Everall for the hard co-ordinating work shehasdone and
willcontinue doing

Childrens literature is a treasure for young and not so young people. If some countries
best works are largely known, those from other countries are not We hope these lists
offavourites will allow for many happy readings all over the world.

the world through picture books foreword and introduction 5


THE
WORLD
THROUGH
PICTURE

BOOKS

Introduction
The Programme
By Annie Everall OBE Childrens Librarians all over the world understand how important picture books in both
annie@alannie.demon.co.uk traditional and digital formats are for children: for their development, their cultural identity,
as a springboard into learning to read for themselves; for their visual skills, and because of the
closeness of sharing them with an adult. It is then very important to promote picture books
and to ensure access to them. The idea behind the World Through Picture Books is to create
a list of picture books from around the world that have been recommended by librarians,
asatool for building bridges and developing understanding between countries. The project
isled by IFLA Childrens and Young Adults section with support from partners IFLA Literacy
and Reading section and IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People).

Aims of the programme


To create lists of picture books from around the world that have been recommended
bylibrarians and which can then be used:
As a way of celebrating and promoting the languages, cultures and quality of childrens
publishing around the world
By countries wishing to purchase books from other countries and looking for favouritetitles
By Sister Libraries as a way of exploring the childrens literature of their Sister Library country

Criteria for inclusion in the list


Each country is asked to submit ten picture book titles:
Suitable for children aged between 0 11
Books that are favourites, that have lasted or will last the test of time, and are seen
asclassics, representing the best in picture books from that country
Must have been published by the country submitting them
Are available in the original language
Are of a good quality and a high standard of publishing
Have text and illustrations that work very well together
Reflect a positive message
Are excellent for reading aloud and sharingwith children
Are in print and therefore still available forpurchase

Information required for each title


Each country is asked to provide the following information for each of the titles included
intheir list:
Name of the author
Name of the illustrator
Title of the book in the original language and its meaning in English
Date of publication
ISBN
A colour image of the front cover
A brief review of the book (in English and in the original language of the book)

the world through picture books foreword and introduction 7


The results in 2013
Country Participation
Each country organised the selection of their ten titles in the way that worked best for their
country. In some countries there was collaboration between IFLA members, IBBY, Library
Associations and a range of national youth library organisations. A variety of methods
were used from on-line surveys and national nominations and country wide voting to
small groups of librarians discussing and determining their list. So far thirty-six country lists
havebeenreceived.

Information on the lists


The books within each list are arranged in the order that the country sent them to us.
Someare alphabetical and some have been arranged in order of votes received or priority
given tothem. The reviews are published in English and the original language ofthe book.
TheEnglishspellings of words have also been left as they would beineach individual
country. Formoreinformation or comments about a particular list, the contact person
for each countryis mentioned on its pages. If your country has not yet chosen its list of
favouritebooks but you would like to become involved, please contact Annie Everall email
annie@alannie.demon.co.uk

Book Exhibitions
Two exhibition collections of the books were created, thanks to donations by the publishers.
These were exhibited in Joensuu and Helsinki as part of the IFLA 2012 satellite and general
conferences. They are now based in the National Libraries of Japan and France and are
available for loan to libraries in any country wishing to exhibit them each country will be
responsible for costs of transportation, insurance and security. If you are interested, please
contact Yumi Tobita (y-yobita@ndl.go.jp) or Viviana Quiones (viviana.quinones@bnf.fr).

Impact of the Project


This has been a wonderful project to be involved with and its impact will become more visible
once it starts to grow and the lists start to be used. The librarians who have been involved
have very much enjoyed organising the list for their country and feel that they have learned
a great deal. It has provided an opportunity to celebrate childrens books and the particular
richness of picture book publishing around the world as well as strengthening the partnership
between librarians, publishers and authors. The publishers and authors feel honoured and
proud to be featured in these lists, especially as they have been nominated by librarians as
these comments demonstrate:

I am thrilled that these three classic books, Dear Zoo, Peace at Last and The Gruffalo have been
chosen by librarians to represent the UK in such an exciting international initiative. They have truly
stood the test of time and with good reason: each is a beautifully crafted book, perfectly pitched
for its audience, engaging, satisfying and a joy to read aloud and share with a child again and
again.That these books have been chosen by librarians makes their selection as classics especially
meaningful since librarians are the experts who recognise which books really connect with children
and families and therefore truly deserve classic status.
Suzanne Carnell, Publishing Director Macmillan

From Editorial Comunicarte, we wish to thank IFLA and all participating libraries for the project
The World through Picture Books. We share its goals and, as publishers, we try to produce quality
literature and illustration in order to give children and young people the best books. Our publishing
house is in Cordoba, a city in one of Argentinian provinces. We are very pleased that you have
chosen El rbol de lilas de Mara Teresa Andruetto and Liliana Menndez, in the series Vaquita
deSanAntonio.

the world through picture books foreword and introduction 8


Klaus Flugge[Andersen Press] has told me that Elmer figures in the top ten list of favourites of librarians
in the UK. Obviously I am delighted and Elmer feels honoured. Ive continually refused approaches
to make films but in spite of that the books seem to reach more and more countries. If Elmer still
continues to tell me his adventures, Ill still try to make them into books. Good luck with the project.
David McKee, author and Illustrator of Elmer

Im very happy that my picture book will be at the IFLA conference, it is an honour. Every
appreciation and recognition of my work is the greatest motivation to continue what Im doing and
the great thing is that the childrens librarians put it on the list. Im happy to announce that in the
autumn, Im finishing the sequel to this picture book and I hope children (and librarians) will love it
as much as they loved the first one.
Pika Voncina, author & illustrator of Emilija in the Land of Wheels

It is astonishing enough for me that British librarians chose to include Dear Zoo in this prestigious
top ten for the IFLA project, but the knowledge that the book will then be part of an international
exhibition as well is extremely humbling. I am quite overcome by this huge accolade, and can only
thank those librarians nationwide who felt Dear Zoo deserved to be on the list.
Rod Campbell, author and illustrator of Dear Zoo

Ideas for using the lists


There are many ways to use the lists. Here are some of our suggestions but if you find other
ways of using them, do please let us know.
Explore the cultures of other countries through their stories
Use them for stock selection, to purchase books and build your international collection
Build your own knowledge of books from other countries
Use your own country list to generate publicity for the picture book publishing in your country
Work with your Sister Library on activities linked to the lists of your countries
Video children in your library reading books off your list aloud and get your Sister Library
to do the same and then share the videos
Explore the same story that has been published in your country and the country
of your Sister Library
Use the pictures in the books from other countries to get children in your country writing
what they think the story is about
Share your own ideas via Facebook or Twitter

The Next Steps


Over the next months we will be:
Encouraging more countries to work on producing a list for their country
Developing the online catalogue further
Ensuring each country list has reviews in both English and the language ofthatcountry
(where appropriate)
Looking at additional ways to use the lists
Linking The World through Picture Books more closely to the Sister Libraries programme
Encouraging countries to get media and press coverage for the project in their own countries
Looking for ways to further promote the project
Exploring ways of using social networking to promote the project
Seeking funding to enable more promotional materials to be produced

the world through picture books foreword and introduction 9


Books from
Contact: Zahia Mezaoui
zahia.mezaoui@if-algerie.com

Algeria
These Algerian picture books were selected by Zahia Mezaoui, a librarian
working in the library of the Institut Franais dAlger. Written and illustrated
by Algerian and French authors, they are published by Algerian publishing
houses Casbah, Dalimen and Lazhari Labter. They are well illustrated, have
aneducational purpose and are designed toenrich the childs imagination
andcuriosity.

1
Corinne Chevallier Hocine Mechemache, ill.
Le Seigneur triste, la jeune fille et les mois de lanne
[The sad Lord, the girl and the months of the year]
Casbah, 2009 ISBN 9961002457

In a distant land, lived a sad Lord in his dusty Dans un pays lointain, vivait un seigneur triste dans
castle. Not far from the castle, nestled a small son chteau poussireux. Non loin du chteau, vivait
village where lived a pretty girl. She was so pretty une jolie jeune fille dans un petit village. Elle tait si
that they said of her that she looked like a fairy jolie quon disait delle, quelle ressemblait une fe
and that she danced under the trees the nights of et quelle dansait sous les arbres les nuits de pleine
moonlight. Over the seasons, the months of the lune. Au fil des saisons, les mois de lanne passaient,
year passed, beginning by September that came en commenant par Septembre qui est venu plus tt,
earlier, before the end of August, so, it decided avant la fin dAot, et qui a dcid de se loger dans
to house in the Lords castle. To thank him for his le chteau du Seigneur. Pour le remercier de son
hospitality, September promised to take him in hospitalit, Septembre lui promet de lemmener dans
his house, so that he could smile again sa maison afin quil puisse retrouver le sourire ...

2
Corinne Chevallier Hocine Mechemache, ill.
Le Lutin curieux qui voulait aller dans la lune
[The curios elf who wanted to go to the moon]
Casbah, 2009 ISBN 9789961648452

It is the story of an elf who was so in love with Cest lhistoire dun elfe qui tait tellement amoureux
the moon that he spent his nights contemplating de la lune quil passait ses nuits la contempler. Il
it. He had even built a house on a tree to be able avait mme construit une maison sur un arbre pour
to approach it. This elf had other particularities, tre en mesure de sen approcher. Mais cet elfe avait
he interfered in everything, was curious and dautres particularits, il intervenait dans tout, du
everyone avoided him because of his stupidity. coup tout le monde lvitait cause de sa stupidit. Un
One morning, going to quench his thirst, he met matin, en allant tancher sa soif, il rencontra une vieille
an old woman wrapped in black; he approached femme enveloppe de noir, il sapprocha delle et lui
her and asked who she was. The latter replied demanda qui elle tait. Celui-ci rpondit quelle tait la
that she was the night, and promised to make nuit, et lui promit de lui faire voir la lune ...
him see the moon

the world through picture books books from algeria 11


3
Corinne Chevallier Hocine Mechemache, ill.
Touil et la flte magique [Touil and magic flute]
Casbah, 2009 ISBN 9789961648445

Touil was the nickname of a little man who could Touil tait le surnom dun petit homme qui ne pouvait
not grow up (Touil means tall in Arabic). Touil pas grandir (en arabe, Touil signifie grand). Touil
was poor and did not have a house. As he offered tait pauvre et navait pas de maison. Comme il offrait
his services to everyone, people asked him to live ses services tout le monde, les gens lui demandaient
with them, in their house. But once his work was de vivre avec eux, dans leur maison. Mais une fois son
completed, he resumed his journey, playing his travail termin, il reprenait sa route en jouant de sa flte
magic flute. By dint of walking, he arrived to the magique... force de marcher, Touil arriva au sud, prs
south, near a castle that housed a rich lord with dun chteau qui abritait un riche seigneur avec sa fille,
his daughter Lumire du jour. A girl that he loved Lumire du jour. Une jeune fille quil aimait plus que
more than all. But when she was kidnapped bythe tout. Mais lorsque cette dernire futenleve par le gnie
genius of the oasis, Touil didnt hesitate tosave her... de loasis, Touil nhsita pas lasauver...

4
Corinne Chevallier Hocine Mechemache, ill.
Zimbel le petit tailleur [Zimbel the little tailor]
Casbah, 2010 ISBN 9789961648988

Zimbel was a little tailor who sewed all day to Zimbel tait un petit tailleur qui cousait toute la
earn money, but it was in vain. People laughed at journe pour gagner de largent, mais en vain. Il faisait
him. One day, while he was walking sadly down mme lobjet de moquerie de la part des personnes
the street, and thinking of the best clothes that que lentouraient. Un jour, alors quil se promenait
he could make if he had the means, he came tristement dans la rue, et pensait aux plus beaux habits
across a rusty pair of scissors. So, he began to cut quil pourrait confectionner sil en avait eu les moyens,
the grass, which turned into green silk! Amazed, iltomba sur une paire de ciseaux rouills. Alors, il se mit
he carried on with the sky, the stars... and all of couper lherbe, et lherbe se transforma en soie verte!
them changed in one click clack... Stupfait, il continua avec le ciel, les toiles ... et tout
setransforma en un clic clac

5 Corinne Chevallier Hocine Mechemache, ill.


Le Prince et le cheval enchant [The Prince and the enchanted horse]
Casbah, 2009 ISBN 9789961648438

In a wonderful country, lived a King who had had Dans un pays merveilleux, vivait un roi qui avait eu
a lot of children whose needs he could not satisfy. beaucoup denfants et qui ne pouvait plus satisfaire
One evening, he asked his eldest son to go get a leurs besoins. Un soir, il demanda son fils an daller
treasure that belonged to his grandfather, now trouver un trsor qui appartenait son grand-pre,
owned by a monster-headed dragon. Right away aujourdhui sous lemprise dun dragon monstre. Tout de
his son took the road on a horse named Gulmar, suite, son fils prit la route sur un cheval nomm Gulmar,
a road filled with obstacles... une route seme dobstacles...

6
Yasmine Briki Nesrine Briki, ill.
Tom lAtome et le Big-Bang [Tom the Atom and the Big-Bang]
Casbah, 2009 ISBN 9789961648438

Tom the Atom is a character who at the height Tom latome est un personnage qui, la hauteur
of an existential crisis, explodes and releases the dune crise existentielle, explose et libre les premires
first elementary particles. The basic concepts particules lmentaires. Les concepts de base abords
covered in the story are explored in a scientific dans lhistoire sont explors dans une perspective
perspective and defined in a very simple way, scientifique et dfinis de manire trs simple, en les
making them accessible to young readers. rendant accessibles aux jeunes lecteurs.

the world through picture books books from algeria 12


7
Yasmine Briki Nesrine Briki, ill.
Malek le petit fennec au march [Malek the little fennec in the market]
Casbah, 2011 ISBN 9789961642795

Malek the little fennec is happy to go with his Malek, le fennec, est heureux daller au march avec
parents to the market. Merchant after merchant, ses parents. Dun marchand un autre, ils remplissent
they fill their baskets. And to thank him for leurs paniers. Et pour le remercier de sa gentillesse, sa
being kind, his mom decides to prepare him a mre dcide de lui prparer une tarte aux fraises.
strawberry tart.

8
Youcef Dris Rachida Azdaou, ill.
Les Douces soires de Malak et Malik [The sweet evenings of Malak et Malik]
Dalimen, 2006 ISBN 9961759354

How wonderful Grandmothers stories were! Quelles taient merveilleuses, les histoires de
Shetold them so well, her voice was so sweet, grand-mre! Elle les racontait si bien, avec sa voix
that the children started to dream of heroes. si douce, que les enfants se mettaient rver des
They found themselves in a magical world full hros. Ilsse retrouvaient dans un monde magique
ofbirds and fish of all colors. They even met a lot peupl doiseaux et de poissons de toutes les couleurs.
of Kings, Princes, and Princesses Ilsontmme rencontr beaucoup de rois, des princes
et desprincesses...

9
Souhila Amirat Rachida Azdaou, ill.
La princesse Yasmine et la reine bleue
[The princess Yasmine and the blue queen ]
Dalimen, 2007 ISBN 9789961759226

Princess Yasmine was living in a palace with La princesse Yasmine vivait dans un palais avec ses
herparents. They were very kind but danger and parents. Ils taient trs gentils, mais le danger et le mal
evil were not far. In the other kingdom, reigned ntaient pas trop loin. Dans lautre royaume, rgnait
awicked witch who desired to become the Kings une mchante sorcire qui voulait devenir la femme du
wife and reign over both kingdoms. So, she used roi pour rgner sur les deux royaumes. Ainsi, elle usa
all the formulas to eradicate the Queen but it toutes les formules pour radiquer la reine, mais ctait
was without counting with the love felt by his sans compter sur lamour ressenti par son fils lgard
son in regards to the Princess Yasmine. de la princesse Yasmine.

10
Nadia Roman, Lazhari Labter Marie Malher, ill.
Kalimagier
Lazhari Labter, d. du Ricochet, 2010 ISBN 978-2-35263-030-2

This pretty little bilingual picture book features Ce trs joli petit imagier bilingue prsente une centaine
some hundred words that passed from Arabic de mots passs de larabe au franais ou du franais
to French or from French to Arabic, with the larabe, avec la prononciation du mot dorigine
pronounciation of each original word in both dans les deux langues. Unbon instrument pour faire
languages. A good tool to help young children dcouvrir aux jeunes enfants les changes linguistiques
discover linguistic exchanges, whether ancient anciens ouplus rcents entre ces deux aires culturelles.
or recent, between these two cultural areas. Lesillustrations sont charmantes et trs originales.
Illustrations are charming and very original.

the world through picture books books from algeria 13


Books from
Contact: Claudia Martnez
claudiacachila@hotmail.com

Argentina
This selection speaks for us at the Biblioteca Popular Cachilo in the city of
Rosario, as mediators, and for the target group: children. It is based on criteria
that take into account the book and the reader. The selected books are
quality materials, in literary terms and in terms of illustration and publishing.
Wehave tried to go beyond the aesthetic and to cover political and ethical
issues, which reflect our vision of promoting reading, and, of course, to pay
attention to the content of each book. We have thought of the tastes and
preferences of readers: these books have been well received in the library
andin workshops. We have looked for books suitable to invite children to read,
to imagine, to dream and fly...

1
Mara Wernicke
Uno y otro [One and other]
Calibroscopio, 2006 ISBN 987-22204-2-5

With characters like One, Another and No one Con personajes como Uno, Otro y Nadie y con la
and with the ability to play with colors and the habilidad para jugar con los colores y las sensaciones
feelings that they convey, this book asks us who que ellos transmiten, este libro nos pregunta quines
we are and shows us that we are not always somos y nos muestra que no siempre somos los
the same. In One and other, like in life itself, mismos. En Uno y Otro, como en la vida misma,
truth is relative, there is no truth in the singular, laverdad es relativa, no hay una verdad en singular,
butin the plural, everything depends on who sino verdades en plural, todo depende de quin la
isspeaking, when and where; it is important to diga, cundo y dnde, para lo cual es importante
have ears and eyes, willing to listen and see them. tener los odos y los ojos dispuestos a escucharlas
It praises diversity and the right to bedifferent. y a verlas . Elogia la diversidad, y el derecho
Itinvites us to fly, but also to stop and look aser distintos. Nos invita a volar, pero tambin
inthemirror. adetenernos y mirarnos al espejo.

2
Silvina Rocha Luca Mancilla Prieto, ill.
Mateo y su gato rojo [Matthew and his red cat]
Ediciones del Naranjo, 2010 ISBN 978-987-1343-24-9

In Matthews book, and inside the head of any Dentro del cuaderno de Mateo, como dentro de
child, many things happen, surprises, dreams, la cabeza de cualquier nio, suceden muchas
desires, concerns, sorrows; characters appear and cosas, sorpresas, sueos, deseos, preocupaciones,
stories are lived, like one about a cat, a mouse tristezas; surgen personajes y se viven historias,
and a smile that is lost. With illustrations using como la de un gato, un ratn y una sonrisa que se
only white, black and red, with a simple and pierde.Con ilustraciones que utilizan slo el blanco,
familiar text, we find a book that makes us feel, el negro y el rojo y con un texto sencillo y cercano,
imagine, identify andthink about the other and nos encontramos con un libro que noshace sentir,
what he or she needs in order to be fine. imaginar, identificarnos y pensar en el otro y en lo
queste necesita para estar bien.

the world through picture books books from argentina 14


3 Claudia Legnazzi
Tuk es Tuk [Tuk is Tuk]
Ediciones del Eclipse, 2007 ISBN 978-987-9011-71-3

Tuk inhabits a varied world, with its own laws, Tuk habita un mundo variado, con leyes propias, lleno
full of strange characters and objects.But who de personajes y objetos extraos. Pero quin es Tuk?
is Tuk? Is it a person? Is it an animal? The author Unapersona? Un animal? La autora e ilustradora
and illustrator, one of the most recognized artists una de las ms reconocidas artistas para nios
for children in Argentina, provides us with a story en Argentina nos brinda una historia ms all del
beyond the formal body of the book, told by her cuerpo formal del libro, nos la cuenta tanto a travs
through both textual and paratextual elements. de lo textual como de lo paratextual. Las palabras
The words take form and, together with the adoptan formas y, junto con la ilustracin y el libro en
illustration and the book as awhole, show the su conjunto, nos muestran la importancia y la riqueza
importance and richness of being different, and de ser diversos, y nos recuerdan que as como Tuk es
remind us that as Tuk is Tuk, each reader is unique. Tuk, cada lector es nico e irrepetible.

4
Laura Devetach Juan Lima, ill.
La hormiga que canta [The ant who sings]
Ediciones del Eclipse, 2004 ISBN 987-9011-62-7

Ants play, sing and leave us a path of verses and Las hormigas juegan, cantan, nos van dejando un
leaves. Chimichurri, chimichurri, chimichurri... camino de versos y hojas. Chimichurri, chimichurri,
slowly and rhythmically, like ants walking, chimichurri despacito y rtmicamente, como el
thewords with which the author composes caminar de las hormigas, se van juntando las palabras
these poems get together. Meanwhile, the con que la autora compone estos poema. Mientras,
illustrator plays with black, green and ochre in elilustrador juega conlos negros, verdes y ocres en
adance of ants and leaves. In this book, John una danza dehormigas yhojas. En este libro, las
and Lauras ants sing to us and bring and take hormigas de Juan y Laura nos van cantando mientras
sheets... and verses. What page, what branch, traen y llevan hojas y versos, enque hoja, de que
what plan shall set it up? rama, de que planta, lo armarn?

5
Luis Pescetti OKif, ill.
Caperucita Roja (tal como se la contaron a Jorge)
[Little Red Riding Hood (as it was told to Carlos)]
Alfaguara Infantil, 2009 ISBN 978-987-04-0140-7

While his mother is not at home, Georges dad Mientras la mama no est, el pap le cuenta a Jorge
tells him the story of Little Red Riding Hood la historia de Caperucita Roja en una versin muy
in the common version. However, the childs correcta. Sin embargo, la imaginacin del nio convierte
imagination makes a very different character al personaje en otro muy diferente: de una Caperucita
and a very different story: a self-assured obediente a una nia segura, que atraviesa el bosque
girl, asuperhero father and so on. The most sin miedo y un padre superhroe y meditico que firman
interesting thing is that this dispute of imaginary autgrafos; hasta unnio dispuesto a comerse al lobo.
characters is shown through the pictures. It is a Lo interesante es que esta disputa de imaginarios
modern day version of Little Red Riding Hood, se juega en las ilustraciones. Un libro para contar
through the eyes of a child. Its a classic with Caperucita en nuestros tiempos, con ojos de nio.
atwist. We read it as a challenge to devour, Unclsico con una vuelta de tuerca. Leerlo nos plantea
laughand serve us onaplatter. un desafo como partcipes privilegiados para devorar,
reir y servirnos en bandeja.

the world through picture books books from argentina 15


6
Itsvansch
Has visto? [Have you seen?]
Ediciones del Eclipse, 2006 ISBN 987-9011-83-X

When you see a colored sheet, please look Cuando veas una hoja de color, no dudes en mirarla
carefully. Maybe from that surface even and atentamente, puede que de esa superficie pareja
apparently empty comes up a huge world yen apariencia vacia salga un mundo inmenso
to discover. Have you seen? is a book to look adescubrir. Has visto? Un libro para mirar no solo
atnot only with the eyes, to imagine, discover conlos ojos, para imaginar, descubrir los colores, jugar
the colors, play with them and get lost in con ellos yperderse en el paisaje.
thelandscape.

7
Roberta Iannamico Bianki, ill.
Nariz de higo [Fig nose]
Pequeo Editor, 2005 ISBN 978-987-22094-1-4

A poetry book dedicated to a childrens game Un libro potico dedicado al juego infantil que
that we keep in our memory, when an uncle, guardamos en la memoria, cuando algn to, abuelo
grandfather orfather used to pull off our nose o padre sola sacar la nariz con sus dedos pulgares.
with their thumbs. Looking at the nose dancing Ver a la nariz bailar por el borde de las cosas, junto
on the edge of things, with playful objects is a aobjetos juguetones es una forma de recordar
way to remember the poetry hidden in small lapoesa escondida en pequeos gestos familiares.
familiar gestures. Thevisual display maximizes Eldespliegue visual potencia lo verbal, los versos
the verbal, the verses dance playfully in a familiar danzan ldicamente en un mundo familiar al comps
world to the beat of leaves, ants, candy paper, de hojitas, hormigas, papeles de caramelo, cucharitas
ice cream spoons, ladybirds and paper cut outs. de helado, vaquitas de San Antonio y papeles
Thequestion that remains is: will the nose return recortados. La pregunta que nos queda es: Retornar
toitsplace between your eyes, or will it remain la nariz a su lugar entre tus ojos?, o quedar para
forever inthe hands of your uncle? siempre en poder de tu to?

8
Leticia Gotlibowski, ill.
La Caperucita Roja [Little Red Riding Hood]
Ediciones del Eclipse, 2006 ISBN 987-9011-76-7

The original text by Perrault is recreated with Este texto original de Perrault, se recrea con una
a cutting-edge illustration that re-writes the vanguardista ilustracin que rescribe la historia
story by giving it a surprising twist, through dndole un giro sorprendente, a travs de alusiones a
allusions tohistorical figures, paintings and personajes histricos, cuadros y lugares emblemticos
landmarks ofParis and a touch of today. An de Pars y un toque de actualidad. Una ambigua nia,
ambiguous girl stalked by a multivocal wolf, will acosada por unlobo multvoco, volver a escurrirse
slip again and again through the trees of a forest una y otra vez por entre los rboles de un verdadero
of symbols. Onone hand, the moral of the author bosque de smbolos. Porun lado la moraleja del
and onthe other, the guillotine of the Revolution. autor ypor otro la guillotina dela revolucin. Libro
Fascinating book that reveals in each reading, fascinante, que devela en cada lectura, elementos
items not previously seen and with them, it offers antes no vistos y propone a partir deellos, una nueva
a new version of the traditional tale. versin del cuento tradicional.

the world through picture books books from argentina 16


9
Mara Teresa Andruetto Istvansch, ill.
La durmiente [The sleeper]
Alfaguara Infantil, 2010 ISBN 978-987-041-546-6

This work maintains the essence of the fairy Esta obra mantiene la esencia del cuento de hadas,
tale, but a dilemma is raised with contemporary pero plantea un dilema con temticas contemporneas
issues (poverty, sorrow, need, the struggle (la pobreza, el dolor, la necesidad, la lucha de genero)
ofgender) with a deep social conscience. con una profunda sensibilidad social. La historia de la
Thestory of the princess who originally is part princesa que participa originalmente de un proceso
of a political process, is told with a unique and poltico, narrada con un ritmo singular y potico se
poetic rhythm, is expanded to an iconic network expande ante un entramado iconogrfico de fotos,
of photos, paintings, cuttings and drawings. pinturas, recorte y dibujos. Sin renunciamientos
Without aesthetic renunciations, this book invites estticos plantea despertar a una reflexin tica,
thereader to wake up to an ethical reflection, para pensarnos en este mundo.
inorder tothink ourselves in this world.

10
Mara Teresa Andruetto Liliana Menndez, ill.
El rbol de lilas [The lilac tree]
Comunicarte, 2006 ISBN 987-602-015-3

Is it a tale or a poem? It is a story of love, Cuento o poesa? Una historia de amor, de bsqueda
searching and waiting in the shade of a faraway y espera a la sombra de un rbol que estaba lejos
tree, to touch us closely. A parable of the journey para tocarnos cerca. Una parbola del viaje en busca
in search of what we want. This book is a tale de lo que queremos. Un relato de estructura circular,
with a circular structure that is fragmented into quesefragmenta en silencios que slo pueden ser
silences that can only be filled by the reader. llenados por el lector. Las ilustraciones por momentos
The illustrations at times open the game with se abren al juego con la ambigedad y dan lugar
ambiguity and lead to the senses beyond what alos sentidos ms all de lo que dicen las palabras,
the words say, maintaining a delicate thread manteniendo un delicado hilo de conexin con el texto
of connection to the text. An exquisite and Un libro exquisito, sugerente, que habla del abrigo,
suggestive book, that talks about warmth and dela serenidad Y del hallazgo de la felicidad.
serenity, and the discovery ofhappiness.

the world through picture books books from argentina 17


Books from
Contact: Viviana Quinones
viviana.quinones@bnf.fr

Benin
This is the choice of two librarians working in the childrens section of the
Mdiathque de lInstitut franais de Cotonou, together with Mathilde Gall
andV.Quiones.

1
Batrice Lalinon Gbado Franois Yemadje, ill.
Le Rat et le serpent [The Rat and the Snake]
Ruisseaux dAfrique, 2007 ISBN 978-99919-63-21-1

This modern tale is based on the two meanings Ce conte moderne repose sur lhomonymie du mot
of the word good: the rat understands it as bon: le rat entend la bont de lhomme, F. C.
mans kindness, whereas the snake drools over Yemadje quand le serpent salive sur le got dlicieux
mans delicious taste Franois C. Yemadje de lhomme illustre cette histoire dincomprhension
illustrates this story with tapestries made of avec des appliqus sur tissus, savoir-faire ancestral
applied dyed cloth, using ancestral techniques de la Cour dAbomey transmis de pre en fils par
of the royal court of Dahomey kings. Characters charge royale. Personnages et paysages acquirent
and landscapes become thus deeper and more ainsi profondeur et force symbolique plus grandes
symbolic. Other illustrated folktales are published encore. On trouve dautres contes trs illustrs dans
in the same collection Lunes enchanteresses lacollection Lunes enchanteresses.
(Enchanting moons).

2
Batrice Lalinon Gbado Roger Boni Yaratchahou, ill.
Le Roi de la palmeraie [The King of the palm grove]
Ruisseaux dAfrique, Eburnie, 2007 ISBN 978-99919-63-10-5 and 978-28477-01-47-0

Near Dkan palm grove, there lives a travellers Prs de la palmeraie de Dkan vit un arbre du
tree that dreams to reproduce with his palm voyageur qui rve de se reproduire avec son voisin
neighbour Why that is impossible, that is the palmier... Pourquoi est-ce impossible, telle est lnigme
enigma the squirrel must solve. A non-fiction que doit rsoudre lcureuil. Un documentaire sur
picture book on the reproduction of unisexual lareproduction des plantes unisexues, bien servi par
plants, well illustrated with watercolours des aquarelles dpeignant une oasis pleine de posie
depicting an oasis with poetry and subtlety. Every aux couleurs subtiles. Chaque titre de cette collection
title in this collection ladcouverte de la vie la dcouverte de la vie aborde un point trs
(Discovering life) treats a specific natural sciences cibl de sciences naturelles, en partant dune fiction
subject, starting with a fictional story, to enhance (conte,rcit quotidien), avec unrel souci du plaisir
the pleasure of learning. de lapprentissage.

the world through picture books books from benin 18


3
Alexandre Gbado Claude Adjaka, ill.
Je voudrais redevenir bb [Id like to be a baby again]
Ruisseaux dAfrique, Eburnie, Kalaama, 2004 ISBN 978-99919-53-16-7, 978-2-84770-091-6
and 978-2-915343-15-1

A baby will be born in the compound where


little Kouagou lives. The informative side of this Un bb va natre dans la concession o vit le petit
picture book in the collection A la dcouverte Kouagou. Laspect documentaire de cet album se
de la vie (Discovering life) is discreet here; fait trs discret au profit dune approche sensible des
what is important, is the childs questioning, interrogations de lenfant, de ses inquitudes aussi sur
and his concern about his own past as a baby. son pass de bb. Cest une jolie russite : un ton
Tenderness and a tone that sounds right, in juste et lger, de la tendresse, en dlicate harmonie
delicate harmony with large colour areas with avec les grandes plages de couleur avec lenfant en leur
the child in the centre. A picture book toread and centre. Alire et regarder avec les tout petits.
to look at with small children.

4
Michle Nardi Herv Alladay, ill.
Coco taill tte duf [Coco taill, egg-shaped head]
Ruisseaux dAfrique, 2006 ISBN 978-99919-53-47-2

But where is Coco taill ? Hes smeared his Mais o est Coco taill? Il sest barbouill de farine
face with corn flour. Then, hes put sand into the de mas. Puis, il a mis du sable dans la cuvette deau
drinking water bowl. Then ah, one has to keep potable. Puis... ah, il faut le tenir lil! Cest lun
an eye on him! This is one of six books featuring desix titres autour de Coco, le plus jeune enfant de la
the youngest child in the compound, with stories concession. hauteur de tout-petit, des histoires en
told by images full of humour and tenderness, images pleines dhumour et dedouceur. Dautres titres
forvery young children (as all titles in collection pour jeunes enfants dans cette collection Le Serin.
Le Serin).

5
Amour Gbovi Herv Gigot, ill.
Boni, lenfant qui voulait aller lcole
[Boni, the child that wanted to go to school]
Ruisseaux dAfrique, 2009 ISBN 978-99919-53-42-6

Boni, blessed child in bariba language, is meant Boni, enfant bni en langue bariba, est n sous une
to be a farmer and indeed, he does good work bonne toile. Destin devenir cultivateur, il travaille
inthe fields. However, he has one thing in mind, effectivement trs bien au champ Mais une seule et
to go to school and he decided to make his unique ide occupe son esprit : aller lcole. Et il
dream come true. Page after page the reader dcide de raliser son rve... Le lecteur suit cette petite
sees Bonis life flourish, through the simple vie spanouissant au fil des pages, travers des mots
words of the text and beautiful watercolours, simples et justes et de belles aquarelles lumineuses.
full of light. Narration goes fast at the end of the Letemps de la narration sacclre brusquement
book, with Boni as an adult, first a banker, then la fin du livre et lon retrouve Boni, adulte, devenu
president of Benin (Benin current presidents banquier, puis prsident du Bnin (le prsident actuel
name is, in fact, Yaya Boni), a president much du Bnin sappelle en effet Yayi Boni), un prsident
concerned about public education. trssoucieux de linstruction publique.

the world through picture books books from benin 19


6
Askanda Bachabi
Le Pipi rouge [Red pee-pee]
Ruisseaux dAfrique, Eburnie, Kalaama, 2004 ISBN 978-99919--53-05-2, 978-2-84770-085-5
and 978-2-915343-47-2

All children have lots of fun at the village pond, Au village prs du marigot, tous les enfants samusent
until the day when one of them notices his pee- comme des fous dans leau, jusquau jour o lun dentre
pee is red. Its bilharzias. One must know more eux saperoit quil fait un pipi tout rouge. Cest la
about this disease, treat it, not bathe in the bilharziose. Ilfaut en savoir plus sur cette maladie,
village pond One of the titles in the collection se soigner, ne plus se baigner dans le marigot Cest
Enfant et sant (Child and Health): small picture lun des titres de la collection Enfant et sant:
books using a story happening in childrens daily des petits albums qui apportent, par le biais dune
life, to give information on health issues. histoire de fiction dans lunivers familier de lenfant, des
informations dalerte et de prvention sur des questions
touchant la sant et aux maladies.

7 Georges O.J.R. Bada Hector D. Sonon, ill.


La Statuette sacre [The Sacred Statuette]
Nouvelles Editions Ivoiriennes, 2001 ISBN 978-2-84487-119-0

Gbodja and Tt are inseparable twins. But Gbodja et Tt sont deux jumeaux insparables. Un
Gbodja dies of fever and Tt is now alone. As is jour Gbodja est emport par une grosse fivre et Tt
the custom and to relieve her pain, Tt is given reste seule. Selon la coutume et pour soulager sa
a statuette representing her brother. But the douleur, onluidonne une statuette qui reprsente son
sacred statuette disappears and the girl finds it at frre. Maisla statuette sacre disparat et la fillette la
an art dealers. The text sounds right and touches retrouve dansla vitrine dun marchand dart. Le texte
the reader; drawing and colours are tender. sonne juste; les illustrations jouent sur des tonalits
This picture book evokes death and the loss of a et un graphisme doux. Cet album voque la mort et
dear one and also, onanother level, desecration le deuil dun tre cher et, sur un tout autre registre, la
and the traffic of artworks in Africa. It certainly dsacralisation et le trafic des oeuvres dart en Afrique.
expresses sadness, butin a cheerful way, full of Il exprime, certes, la tristesse mais sur un mode de
life. On a similar subject, by the same publisher, gaiet et plein de vie. noter sur un sujet proche
Grand-mre Nanan byVronique Tadjo. et chez le mme diteur, Grand-mre Nanan de
Vronique Tadjo.

8
Messan Agbopletou Adamah Hanvi, ill.
Le Caman sacr [The Sacred Cayman]
Graines de penses, Ruisseaux dAfrique, 2008 ISBN 978-99919-63-33-4 and 978-2-916101-12-5

Because King Akuamu is very cruel, the Adan Parce que le roi Akuamu est trs cruel, le peuple Adan
people decide to find a new homeland. But their dcide de chercher une nouvelle terre daccueil. Mais sa
march is soon stopped by a gigantic river. The marche est bien vite arrte par un gigantesque fleuve.
crossing will be possible thanks to a miraculous Satraverse sera rendue possible grce un pont
bridge made of tree trunks in fact, caymans, miraculeux de troncs darbres - en ralit des camans
to which a cult is born, in acknowledgment for auxquels un culte sera rendu, en remerciement du
their help. These legend of the Adan people living passage. Cette lgende du peuple Adan, qui vit au Sud
in South Ghana, Togo and Benin, is completed du Ghana, du Togo et du Bnin, est complte par un
by some pages of information on the cult of the dossier sur le culte du caman sacr. Dautres titres de
sacred cayman. Other titles in this collection la collection Cauris dor, co-dit au Togo et au Bnin,
Cauris dor, co-published in Togo and Benin, proposent desfictions intressantes compltes de
provide interesting fiction with a supplement on dossiers autour de traditions culturelles.
cultural traditions.

the world through picture books books from benin 20


9
Gustave Akakpo Kudzovi B. Norbert Kokoroko, ill.
G. M. Kwasi Fiaga and S. Y. G. Gableame Gbedemah, transl.
Titi la fontaine / Titi auogo (bilingual French Ewe) [Titi the Fountain]
LHarmattan, 2003 ISBN 978-2-7475-3240-2

Titi has wet her bed again Her mother is not Titi a encore mouill ses draps Sa mre nest pas
happy, the children in her neighbouhood go contente, les enfants du quartier la poursuivent et
looking for her, find her, tie a rope with three lui attachent une cordelette avec trois grenouilles
frogs around her waist That night, Bibi Rikiki Lanuit tombe, Bibi Rikiki le monstre-grenouille
the frog-shaped monster enters Titis bedroom sefaufile dans la chambre de Titi et essaie de lui
and tries to put on her the mask that will steal mettre le masque qui lui volera ses rves. Titi a si peur
her dreams. Titi is so scared that she wets her que ses draps se mouillent, la chambre se remplit deau
bed and the whole room, and the monster et le monstre disparat dans leau. Un texte simple,
disappears in the water. Simple, lively text and vivant, et des illustrations colores et expressives par
colourful, expressive illustrations by an author un auteur et un illustrateur togolais. Texte en franais
and illustrator from Togo. Text in French and et en w, langue parle au Bnin, auTogo, en Cte-
in Ewe, spoken in Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast and dIvoire et au Ghana. Des dizaines delivres de jeunesse
Ghana. Dozens of childrens books in different dans diffrentes langues africaines dans la collection
African languages in the collection Contes des Contes de quatre vents.
quatre vents (Tales from the four winds).

10
Cyrille Kakpo
La Moto de loncle Assa [Oncle Assas motorbike]
Ruisseaux dAfrique, Eburnie, 2004 ISBN 978-99919--53-01-4 and 978-2-84770-083-1

What a pleasure it is to ride on Uncles Monter sur la moto de Tonton pour aller en ville,
motorbike But the fumes it gives off are so bad quel plaisir, mais la fume noire qui sen dgage, quel
for the environment ! One of the titles in the dgt pour lenvironnement! Cest lun des titres de
collection Enfant et sant (Child and Health): lacollection Enfant et sant : des petits albums qui
small picture books using a story happening apportent, par le biais dune histoire de fiction dans
inchildrens daily life, to give information lunivers familier delenfant, des informations dalerte
onhealth issues. et de prvention surdes questions touchant la sant
et aux maladies.

All book reviews are adapted from those published in the journalTakam Tikou,
http://takamtikou.bnf.fr

the world through picture books books from benin 21


Books from
Contact: Elizabeth Serra
fnlij@fnlij.org.br

Brazil
This selection made by FNLIL, the Brazilian section of IBBY, has attempted
to express the variety of Brazilian editorial production for that particular
age group (0 to 11 years), as produced in the past four decades. The choice
was nearly all based on books that stand out because of text and illustration
quality, with FNLIJs official recognition by means of the FNLIJ Award or the
FNLIJ Highly Recommendable Label. Each one expresses characteristics that
are inherent to books considered to be of good quality both here and abroad.
Finally, we would clarify that, in Brazil, we consider books with many
illustrations and short texts as a part of the children category. For textless
books, those that contain only illustrations, the category is called imagebook.
The titles of the books presented in English here do not necessarily correspond
to the way they were published in that language, and are merely an attempt
to clarify what it means to prospective readers.

1
Marcelo Xavier Gustavo Campos, phot.
Asa de papel [Paper wing]
Formato, 2006 ISBN 8572080937

Characters and objects molded in modeling Personagens e objetos moldados em massa plstica
plastic assembled in small scenes in a succession foram montados em pequenos cenrios numa sucesso
ofgood-humored, lyrical, intriguing, surreal de imagens bem-humoradas, lricas, intrigantes,
images, where the very same character, surrealistas... Nelas, a personagem, sempre a
always in varied situations, is reading a book. mesma em situaes variadas, est lendo um livro.
It is introduced as asource of pleasure, joy, Esteapresentado como fonte de prazer, de alegria,
information, wisdom, ascompany and refuge. de informao, de sabedoria, como companhia,
Without exactly narrating a story, the short, refgio. Otexto - curto, exato, potico - sem narrar
precise and poetic text takes the reader on propriamente uma histria, conduz o leitor em um
ajourney of expectation leading to a surprise passeio cada vez mais repleto de expectativa para
ending to the character with hergrand paper- um final inesperado da personagem com seu grande
winged companion. Winner ofthe FNLIJ Children companheiro de asas de papel. Vencedor do prmio
Award in 1994. FNLIJ Criana em 1994.

the world through picture books books from brazil 22


2
Bartolomeu Campos de Queirs Elisabeth Teixeira, ill.
At passarinho passa [Even little birds fly away]
Moderna, 2003 ISBN 8516036413

This book was the winner of FNLIJs Hors Este livro ganhou o prmio FNLIJ Criana Hors
Concours Children Award in 2004. The story Concours em 2004. A histria trata de um
addresses a character recalling his childhood days, personagem lembrando seu tempo da infncia, da casa
the cozy home, and the very special relationship aconchegante e da relao muito especial que tinha
he shared with nature and birds. Heestablished com a natureza e com os pssaros. Com um destes
aparticularly strong friendship with a certain bird, estabeleceu uma forte amizade pautada nos silncios
based on silent sunny afternoons, and faces the das tardes ensolaradas, at se deparar com o vazio
prevailing emptiness after the loss of his friend. deixado pela perda do amigo. Num texto que inspira
Having reached a finalist position for the Hans imagens buclicas, o autor, j duas vezes finalista
Christian Andersen award twice, the author doprmio Hans Christian Andersen, trata a morte
relies on a text that inspires bucolic images to de maneira leve e potica. As ilustraes corroboram
address death in a light and poetic manner. The aleveza do texto. Em 2008, Bartolomeu foi vencedor
illustrations corroborate the lightness of the text. do IV Prmio Ibero-americano SM de Literatura
In 2008, Bartolomeu won the IV Prmio Ibero- Infantil e Juvenil.
americano SM de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil.

3
Eva Furnari
Bruxinha Zuzu [The little witch Zuzu]
Moderna, 2010 ISBN 8516066871

This work was awarded FNLIJs Highly Esta obra recebeu, em 2011, o selo Altamente
Recommendable label for the Image category Recomendvel pela FNLIJ na categoria Imagem.
in 2011. Eva Furnaris illustrations make readers Asilustraes de Eva Furnari causam riso no leitor,
smile, as they, along with Zuzu, a clumsy little que junto com Zuzu, uma atrapalhada bruxinha,
witch, are overwhelmed by the unexpected surpreende-se com os resultados inesperados de suas
results of the magic tricks. The spells never go magias. Os encantamentos nunca saem como ela
as she expects, and always take her by surprise. espera, e sempre a surpreende. O trao cmico e suave
Eva pioneered success in Brazil with image faz com que o livro arranque risadas e sorrisos dos
only books, in the 1980s, with her little witch leitores de todas as idades. Eva foi pioneira no Brasil
character. She was awarded a number of FNLIJ a fazer sucesso com livros somente com imagem,
prizes. In 1996 and 1998, she was included in nos anos 80, com a personagem Bruxinha. Recebeu
IBBYs Honor List. inmeros prmios da FNLIJ. Em 1996 e 1988, esteve
naLista de Honra do IBBY.

4
Ronaldo Simes Coelho
Macaquinho [Little monkey]
FTD, 2011 ISBN 8532276025

This is a classical Brazilian album that speaks Este um clssico lbum brasileiro que fala do afeto
of affection between father and son. Originally entre pai e filho. Publicado originalmente em 1985,
published in 1985, it still overwhelms readers. The continua encantado leitores. Embora tenha mudado
books format has been changed by the publisher de editora na primeira chegou a mais xx edies
but they have retained the original illustrations. manteve as ilustraes, tendo apenas o seu formato
Every night, the little monkey went to his fathers modificado. Toda noite o macaquinho ia para a cama
bed and would not let him sleep. Everyday, there do pai e no deixava o pai dormir. Cada dia era uma
was a different excuse: it was either because of desculpa: ou porque estava com frio, ou com fome,
cold, hunger, orfear. And his father was always ou com medo. E o pai sempre resolvia o problema.
willing to solve the problem. Until one day, when At que, um dia, o filhote conta a verdadeira razo de
the cub tells the real reason why he wanted to go querer ir para a cama do pai. Pai e filho ficam mais
to his fathers bed. Father and son grow even closer. juntos do que nunca. As ilustraes da renomada
The illustrations by renowned Eva Furnari clearly Eva Furnari expressam todo o afeto contido no texto.
express the affection contained in the text. This A obra foi traduzida e distribuda gratuitamente no
book has been translated and distributed forfree Mxico e na Bolvia.
inMexico and Bolivia.

the world through picture books books from brazil 23


5
Ziraldo
Menino Marrom [Brown Boy]
Melhoramentos, 2001, 28th edition ISBN 8506010098

In this book (FNLIJ Children Award 1987), Ziraldo, grande artista brasileiro, autor de O menino
Brazils grand artist Ziraldo, author of O menino maluquinho, clssico brasileiro da literatura infantil,
maluquinho, a national classical work of childrens neste livro conta a relao entre duas crianas, dois
literature, speaks about the relationship between amigos: o menino marrom e o menino cor-de-rosa.
two children, two friends: the brown boy and the Ao longo da histria, os dois fazem descobertas sobre
pink boy. Along the story, both make discoveries cores e etnias, reafirmando que a verdadeira amizade
about colors and ethnicity, restating that true um valor que est alm desses conceitos. O autor,
friendship is a value that goes far beyond these que tambm ilustrador, j ganhou diversos prmios
concepts. Also an illustrator himself, the author e foi trs vezes indicado ao prmio HCA / IBBY:
has been awarded many prizes and has been em1988, 1990 e em 1992.
nominated three times forIBBYs HCA award:
1988, 1990, and 1992.

6
Ana Maria Machado Claudius, ill.
Menina bonita do lao de fita [Pretty girl with ribbon trap]
tica, 2001, 7th edition ISBN 8508066392

Winner of the Hans Christian Andersen award Ana Maria Machado, ganhadora do prmio Hans
in 2000, Ana Maria Machado tells us the story Christian Andersen, em 2000, conta aqui a histria
of a white rabbit who finds the ribbon girls dark de um coelho branco que acha linda a pele escura
skin a most beautiful thing. He likes it so much de uma menininha que usa lao de fita. Ele gosta
that he tries to find where the color came from tanto, que tenta descobrir de onde veio essa cor
so his offspring can have their hair as black as para ter filhotes pretos como o plo de uma pantera.
a panthers. This book has been translated into Este livro foi traduzido em vrias lnguas e um dos
several languages and is one of the authors clssicos daautora, pois recebeu os prmios: Amricas,
classical works, because of the many prizes it has categoria Melhores livros latinos nos EUA, em 1997;
been given: Amricas, Best Latin Books in the Altamente Recomendvel, pela Fundalectura, Bogot,
USA category in 1997; Colombias Fundalectura Colmbia; e Melhor Livro Infantil Latino-americano,
Highly Recommendable, and ALIJA, Buenos ALIJA, Buenos Aires, ambos em 1996; Melhores do Ano,
Airess Best Latin American Childrens Book, both pela Biblioteca Nacional da Venezuela, em 1995; eem
in 1996; Venezuelas National Librarys Best of the 1988, Meno Honrosa Uma das Cinco Melhores
Year in 1995; Honorable Mention in the SoPaulo obras do Binio, na Bienal de So Paulo. Pela FNLIJ,
Biennial as One of the Five Best works in the recebeu diversos prmios, desde a dcada de 70.
Biennial. Awarded several FNLIJ prizes for various
books, the author also won the Tokyo Noma
Illustration Contests Runner-up award in 2000,
the same year when she was nominated for
IBBYs HCA award.

the world through picture books books from brazil 24


7
Odilon Moraes
Pedro e lua [Peter and the moon]
Cosac Naify, 2004 ISBN 8575033387

Little Pedro is a boy who happens to be charmed O menino Pedro encantando pela lua, at que
by the moon, until he finds out that the pebbles descobre que as pedras que encontra so fragmentos
he finds are fragments from it. Pedro, which lunares. Pedro, que significa pedra, sente pena
means pebble, sympathizes with the pebbles, daspedras, achando que elas devem sentir saudades
ashe thinks they might miss home. A turtle decasa. Uma tartaruga atravessa seu caminho
comes across his path and, given the similarity of e pela semelhana de seu casco com o satlite,
its shell with the earths satellite, the boy names omenino achama Lua. Uma amizade forte e bonita
her Lua (moon). A strong and beautiful friendship seestabelece entre os dois. Lua no suporta ficar
arises and is firmly established between the two longe do Pedro. Neste livro que fala da amizade e
of them. Lua can no longer stay away from Pedro. damorte, Odilon Moraes consegue harmonizar texto
In this book, that speaks of friendship and death, ebelas imagens em preto e branco, proporcionando
Odilon Moraes manages to harmonize text and obra um tom delicadamente potico. Em 2005, este
beautiful black and white images, providing livro ganhou oprmio FNLIJ Criana. Em 2009, a obra
thework with a delicately poetic tone. In 2005, fez parte docatlogo White Ravens, da Biblioteca
the book was awarded FNLIJs Children Award. Internacional de Munique.
In 2009, it was included in the White Ravens
catalog of Munichs International Library.

8
Ruth Rocha Carlos Brito, ill.
O que os olhos no vem [What the eyes dont see]
Salamandra, 2003, 2th edition ISBN 8516035697

The people in this kingdom started to suffer after O povo desse reino comeou a sofrer depois que o rei
the king caught a disease that kept him from pegou uma doena a qual o fez parar de ver e ouvir
seeing and hearing small people. The disease pessoas pequenas. A doena foi se espalhando aos
spread on to the kings aides in such a way that demais auxiliares do rei de tal modo que o povo no
the people were no longer seen or heard by them. era mais visto e nem ouvido por eles. Afinal, os sditos
After all, the subjects were all so very small One eram to pequenos... Um dia, porm, descobrem que
day, however, they discover they could be heard poderiam ser ouvidos se juntos formassem um s
if they spoke all at once in a very loud tone voice. vozeiro. Partindo do ditado popular O que os olhos
Based on the popular saying Eyes that dont no veem o corao no sente, a histria questiona
see, heart that doesnt feel, the story challenges o autoritarismo e reflete sobre a poltica ao mostrar
authoritarianism and reflects upon politics, as it oque acontece quando os governantes no trabalham
shows what happens when rulers fail to work com e para o povo. Mesmo com esses conceitos
with and for the people. Even with these complex complexos, as ilustraes de Carlos Brito conseguem
concepts, Carlos Britos illustrations manage to expressar ao leitor toda a ludicidade necessria para
express to readers all of the fun that is necessary despertar o imaginrio. A obra faz parte do conhecido
to awaken their imagination. The work is part ciclo dos reis, no qual a autora tem outras trs obras
ofthe renowned cycle of kings, around which the que refletem sobre a questo dominante / dominado.
author has another three books that reflect upon Ganhou, em 1982, o prmio FNLIJ Criana.
the dominant/dominated issue. In 1982, it was Ruth Rocha foi uma das autoras que iniciou a nova
awarded FNLIJs Children Award. literatura infantil e juvenil no Brasil, no final dos anos
Ruth Rocha was one of the authors who started 60. uma das mais conhecidas no pas. A primeira
the new children and youth literature in Brazil, edio do livro, em 1981, foi em meio ao perodo da
inthe late 1960s. She is a most renowned author ditadura no Brasil, que durou at 1985. Foi indicada,
in the country. The first edition of this book, em 2002, pela FNLIJ para o prmio HCA / IBBY.
in 1981, was launched in the final moments of
the dictatorship in this country, which officially
extended until 1985. In 2002, she was nominated
by FNLIJ for IBBYs HCA Award.

the world through picture books books from brazil 25


9
Eliardo Frana
O rei de quase-tudo [The King of almost-everything]
Global Editora, 2004 ISBN 8589907171

The King of Almost-Everything had nearly O Rei de Quase-Tudo tinha quase tudo: terras,
everything: land, armies, and a lot of gold. But exrcitos e muito ouro.
he was dissatisfied with the nearly; he wanted Mas, o Rei no estava satisfeito com quase, ele
everything. So, he decided to have more land, queria tudo. Resolveu ter mais terras, mais exrcitos,
more armies, more gold. Still dissatisfied, he mais ouro. Ainda insatisfeito, quis ser dono das flores,
wanted to own the flowers, the fruit, the birds, dos frutos, dos pssaros, das estrelas e at do sol.
the stars, and even the sun. Having conquered Conquistando todas essas coisas, o Rei de quase-
all of these things, the King of Nearly-Everything tudo compreendeu que havia ainda muitas coisas que
eventually understood that there were still many nunca seriam dele... Nesta premiada histria prmio
more things which would never be his. In this FNLIJ Criana de 1975 Eliardo Frana consegue fazer
prize-winning storyFNLIJs Children Award com que pequenos leitores reflitam sobre conceitos
in1975Eliardo Frana manages to make young complexos como autoritarismo, materialismo, paz
readers reflect upon complex concepts such as interior. Uma obra prima de uma dcada de excelente
authoritarianism, materialism, inner peace. This is safra da literatura infantil brasileira. Foi o primeiro
a masterpiece from a decade of excellent harvest livro premiado pela FNLIJ. No mesmo ano, recebeu um
within Brazilian childrens literature. Thiswas prmio na Bienal de Ilustraes de Bratislava BIB,
thefirst book to be awarded a FNLIJ prize. Inthat naento Tchecoeslovquia, atual Repblica Tcheca.
same year, it was given another one in the BIB
(Bratislava Biennial of Illustration), in former
Czechoslovakia, currently the Czech Republic.

10
Graa Lima, Mariana Massarani and Roger Mello
Vizinho, vizinha [Neighbour boy, neighbour girl]
Companhia das Letrinhas, 2002 ISBN 8574061492

This interesting work by renowned illustrators Esta interessante obra dos renomados ilustradores
Graa Lima, Mariana Massarani and Roger Graa Lima, Mariana Massarani e Roger Mello
Mello shows a little of the hustle-bustle and, mostra um pouco da agitao e ao mesmo tempo
at the same time, the solitude of life in a large da solido que a vida numa metrpole oferece.
metropolis. The quiet neighbor who plays the A tranquila vizinha, que toca clarineta, cria um
clarinet, has a rhinoceros pet, collects books rinoceronte, coleciona livros e coisas antigas troca
and old stuff, merely greets her next door apenas cumprimentos com o vizinho do lado, que
neighbor, who reads comic books, drinks coffee, l quadrinhos, toma caf e constroi uma cidade de
and builds a paper town. Amidst the manias papel. Em meio s manias dos vizinhos que pouco
of neighbors who hardly ever see each other, seconhecem, fica o questionamento: Qual a
there lies a question: What relations have relao que estamos estabelecendo com as pessoas
webeen establishing with people in the past nas ltimas dcadas? Os trs autores so premiados
few decades? The three authors have received pela FNLIJ, que em 2003 deu ao livro o selo FNLIJ
many awards by FNLIJ, which gave the book deAltamente Recomendvel, na categoria Criana.
theHighlyRecommendable label in 2003
intheChildren Category.

the world through picture books books from brazil 26


Books from
Contact: Viviana Quiones
viviana.quinones@bnf.fr

Cameroon
This is the choice of six librarians working in childrens libraries in Cameroon
(threein Yaound, one in Douala, one in Bamenda): Delphine Sylvie Balle,
Institut franais, Douala; Charles Kamdem Poeghela, CLAC, Yaound;
Bernadette Maurice, Lucioles, Yaound; Josphine Mbouka, Alliance
franaise, Dschang; Olive Njuekou, Alliance franaise, Bamenda; Edith Noga,
Centre Culturel Franois Villon, Yaound. The books are listed starting from
themostvoted for.
N.B. All consulted librarians have selected titles published by Akoma Mba,
now outof business, which are no longer available and are therefore
not mentioned onthe list: Le Vieux char [The Old Tank], LArbre merveilles
[TheWonder Tree], Matik, Bella fait la classe [Bella teaches lessons]

1 Kidi Bebey Christian Kingue Epanya, ill.


Pourquoi je ne suis pas sur la photo? [Why Arent I in the Photograph?]
Edicef, Cl, 1999 ISBN 2-84129-634-2

Where are we when we are not yet born?, O est-ce quon est quand on nest pas n?
Titiwonders, realising that he does not appear sedemande Titi en ralisant quil napparat pas sur
on every photograph in the family album. He asks toutes les photos de lalbum familial. Chaque jour de
the question each day of the week to a different la semaine il interrogera quelquun de son entourage,
person, but only his mothers answer will really mais il ny aura que la rponse de sa maman qui
be satisfying A simple text that sounds true, le satisfera vraiment... Un texte simple qui sonne
beautiful illustrations by Christian Epanya, full vrai, de trs belles illustrations de Christian Epanya,
oflife and colour. This very accomplished picture remplies de vie et de couleurs. Un album trs russi
book delights children. quienchante les enfants.

2
Ernest Mbanji Bawe
Nfo: Lenfant qui nen fait qu sa tte [Nfo, the boy that does as he pleases]
Cl, 1999 ISBN 978-2-7235-0400-3

A charming picture book featuring a small boy. Un album attachant mettant avec grce un petit
Fetch water, crush maize with a mill: Nfo would bonhomme au centre du monde. Chercher de leau,
liketo do what his mother asks but he is in such craser du mas au moulin: Nfo voudrait bien faire ce
ahurry, he so much wants to amuse himself que sa mre lui demande, mais il est tellement press,
Onthe theme of a small boy doing one silly thing il a tellement envie de samuser... Sur le thme du
after the other and suffering the consequences, petit garon qui accumule les btises et en subit les
a simple text accompanied by large, lifelike consquences, un texte simple accompagn de grandes
illustrations, with singular charm: it is a pleasure illustrations trs parlantes, au charme singulier:
todiscover a West-Cameroon lifestyle. onaplaisir y dcouvrir un cadre devie camerounais.

the world through picture books books from cameroon 27


3
Christian Kingue Epanya
La Pipe de Tita Nveng [Tita Nvengs Pipe]
Orphie, 2010 ISBN 978-2-87763-535-6

The vanishing of a pipe in a small village Une histoire de pipe disparue dans un petit village
near Ebolowa in Cameroon has remarkable duCameroun, prs dEbolowa Cette disparition
consequences: grand-father is so furious to be vaavoir des consquences notables : colre du grand-
deprived of tobacco that he refuses to harvest pre sevr de tabac, qui refuse alors de rcolter le
palm wine, which deprives villagers from their vin de palme, cequi prive les villageois de leur ration
daily fix, which exasperates them Until little quotidienne, ce qui provoque leur exaspration Jusqu
Engoulou confesses: she is guilty of having ce que la petite Engoulou rvle son forfait: cest elle
broken her grand-fathers pipe, ruining her qui a cass la pipe de son grand-pre, gchant ainsi
holidays at the plantation that she had so much les vacances la plantation quelle attendait avec
looked forward to Misbehaviour, the weight tant dimpatience Une btise, le poids de son secret,
of a secret, reconciliation: a very good story, la rconciliation: unehistoire trs bien vue dans ses
for its themes, its progression andits rhythm. thmes, sa progression et son rythme. On a toujours
It is always a pleasure to plunge into Christian plaisir plonger dans les images de Christian Epanya,
Epanyas illustrations, in shades of red an orange, baignes de rouges et dorangs, qui en quelques dtails
creating, with just some details, a special savent planter une atmosphre particulire et camper
atmosphere and characters that seem real. des personnages que lon aurait dj rencontrs

4
Christian Kingue Epanya
Le Petit camion de Garoua [The Little Truck of Garoua]
Edicef, 2001 ISBN 978-2-84129-794-2

Back from Garoua to his village in North Revenu de Garoua dans son village du Nord Cameroun,
Cameroon, Konan seems to have something in Konan semble avoir quelque chose derrire la tte:
mind: he goes to his mothers kitchen, then to levoil qui passe dans la cuisine de sa maman, puis
the grocers, then to the bike repairers, then to chez lpicier, le rparateur de motos et de vlos, les
the basket-makers picking up different objects femmes qui tressent des paniers... et rcolte diffrents
and materials. But what is he up to, this boy?, objets et matriaux. Mais quest-ce quil fabrique,
wonder all those who see him and follow him. ce gamin?, se demandent tous ceux qui le voient
Hes made a truck! A beautiful truck! Its Uncle etqui le suivent. Uncamion! Vraiment beau... cest
Amadous truck, in Garoua! Fanta is very proud lecamion doncle Amadou, Garoua! Fanta est trs
of her little Konan, she hugs him tight in her fire de son petit Konan. Elle le serre trs fort dans ses
arms. Luminous illustrations, colourful and warm, bras. Illustrations lumineuses, colores, chaleureuses,
rendering the village life affectionately. rendant avec affection la vie duvillage.

5 Franois Kammo Melachi Katia Castanie


La Fte de larachide [Peanut Feast]
Tropiques, Cultures Sud, 2010 ISBN 978-9956-042-2

A non-fiction picture book on peanut culture Un album documentaire pour faire dcouvrir la culture
and itsrole in Cameroons life and economy, de larachide et son rle dans la vie et lconomie du
bymeans ofthe story of a boy on holiday with Cameroun, travers une petite histoire mettant en
his grandparents at the village. Information is scne un garon venu au village voir ses grands-parents
given through the grandfathers answers to the pour les vacances. Par le jeu des questions de lenfant
boys questions. Thebook, the first by the very et desrponses du grand-pre, on fait le tour du sujet.
young F.K.Melachi, is the laureate of a contest Cestle premier livre du trs jeune illustrateur F. K.
organised by an NGO wishing to give children Melachi. Ses images sont informatives(les outils, les
in central Cameroon books depicting their daily tapes de la culture, lhabitat) et si les personnages
life. Melachis illustrations are informational (on paraissent un peu raides, leurs visages sont expressifs
the tools, the phases of culture, the houses) et les paysages, rendus avec posie. Cet album est
and if they seem a bit stiff, characters faces are lersultat dun concours organis par une association
expressive and landscape, rendered withpoetry. afin de donner aux enfants de la rgion du centre
duCameroun des livres parlant deleur quotidien.

the world through picture books books from cameroon 28


6
Alain-Serge Dzotap Philippe De Kemmeter, ill.
Petit Hippo et son stylo magique [Little Hippo and his magic pen]
Bayard jeunesse, 2010 ISBN 978-2-7470-3208-7

Daddy Hippo gives Little Hippo a red pen for his Papa Hippo offre Petit Hippo un stylo rouge pour
birthday, a pen full of beautiful things Little son anniversaire, un stylo plein de belles choses
Hippo tries to take those beautiful things out Petit Hippo essaie de sortir ces belles choses du
of the pen, but cannot, nor can his sister, nor stylo, mais il ny arrive pas, ni sa sur, ni la Poule,
the Hen, nor the Giraffe Finally, Mother Hippo ni la Girafe Finalement, Maman Hippo lui montre
shows him how to use the pen and soon, the comment se servir du stylo etbientt, la terre entire
whole world begins to come out of it commence en sortir

7
Marie-Flicit Eboka Clmentine Sourdais, ill.
Maritou Kissaitou [Marietou Whoknowsall]
Le Sorbier, 2008 ISBN 978-2-7320-3907-7

When you know all, you are afraid of nothing: Quand on sait tout, on na peur de rien: telle est
thisis what little Maritou believes. Bold, brave, la conviction de la petite Maritou. Intrpide,
shes always the first to go at things. At least courageuse, elle est toujours la premire pour
when there is light For as soon as night comes, tout. Du moins tant quil fait jour, car sitt la nuit
Maritou is afraid of going across the courtyard tombe, Maritou a peur detraverser la cour pour
to the toilet Thanks to the words of an elder serendre aux toilettes... Grce la parole dun ancien
the grand-father Maritou will get over legrand-pre , Maritou russira dpasser sa
her fear. A lively story, not without humour, propre peur. Une histoire vive, tonique etnon dnu
that takes the reader to Douala. In leau dhumour, qui amne le lecteur Douala. Dans leau
Maritou! [Into the water, Maritou!] (ISBN 978- Maritou! (ISBN 978-2-7320-3971-8) onretrouve
2-7320-3971-8) we find little Maritou and her la petite Maritou et tout lunivers de son quartier
neighbourhood in Douala again: she goes for a Douala, au Cameroun: la classe de Maritou va
day on the beach with her class, in her beautiful passer une journe la mer, dans son beau maillot
new bathing-suit, but she is terrified to go into de bain neuf, mais devant la mer, la peur lemporte:
the water: what if Mamywater really existed?... etsiMamywater existait vraiment?...

All book reviews are adapted from those published in the journalTakam Tikou,
http://takamtikou.bnf.fr

the world through picture books books from cameroon 29


Books from
Contact: Carmen Barvo
Carmen@fundalectura.org.co

Colombia
The publishing of picture books in Colombia is recent. Since the eighties, when
the edition of books for children and youth began in our country, only few
outstanding works have remained in our publishing market.
In this selection of picture books we want to highlight the books written and
illustrated by Ivar Da Coll, an emblematic author of our country, as well as the
work of Alekos, Clarisa Ruiz and Antonio Caballero.
Fundalectura -the Foundation for the Promotion of Reading- is a private,
non-profit enterprise. It leads interdisciplinary assessment committees, which
assess the bibliographic offer for children and youngsters. Their voluntary
work feeds the lists of recommended books of the institution.

1
Clarisa Ruiz Alekos, ill.
Tocotoc, el cartero enamorado [Tocotoc, the postman in love]
Panamericana, 1998 (1st ed. 1993) ISBN 958-30-0475-8

If ever you visit a town called Cataplun and see he had an idea: to write her letters to express
going by the park two lovers, a postman and a all things he had not the courage to say face to
beautiful girl with a jelly bean nose and cheeks face. This charming tale is a tribute to epistolary
like apples, you should know that they are the dialogue, to the old habit of putting in a mailbox
protagonists of a curious story of love, a romance dreams, happiness, woes, and hopes. For his work
by correspondence. Tocotoc, the postman, was in this book, the illustrator was nominated to the
in love with Mary, a seamstress, but he was so IBBY Honour List 1994.
shy that he did not dare to say he loved her. But

2
Antonio Caballero
Isabel en Invierno [Isabel in Winter]
Panamericana, 2003 (1st ed. 1990) ISBN 958-30-0519-3

Many things happen to Isabel in Winter. She gets this and so he wrote this book for her. When
bored, sits to think, dresses and undresses and he showed it to Isabel, she felt represented
also she goes for a walk. At times she is alone, in the character. A reading recommended
andsometimes she remembers that she is not, toshare with children living the game as their
as the weasel Muchareja and the bear Nicholas. greatest adventure. The illustration line reflects
Isabel feels and thinks a lot. Her father knows thedoodles children make at this age.

the world through picture books books from colombia 30


3
Ivar Da Coll
Hamamelis, Miosotis y el seor Sorpresa
[Hamamelis, Miosotis and Mister Surprise]
Alfaguara, 2008 (1st ed. 1993) ISBN 958-704-372-3

Mr. Surprise is a mysterious character that no Hamamelis and Miosotis, two friends who like
one sees but everyone knows. When his visit is to visit each other to chat while drinking cocoa
approaching, houses are decorated with candles, and eating cookies, make their requests to the
ribbons and flowers; behind doors, bags are put expected visitor. But instead of asking gifts for
waiting for those gifts all have demanded from themselves, each one asks for something that
Mr. Surprise in a letter the wind carried to him. would make his neighbor happy.

4
Ivar Da Coll
Hamamelis y el secreto [Hamamelis and the secret]
Alfaguara, 2006 (1st ed. 1991) ISBN 958-704-219-0

As Hamamelis is famous by his discretion, to open the chest. More important, he has to be
Miosotis, his best friend, carries a secret to his strong enough to avoid being convinced by her
home. Hamamelis keeps it in a chest, so carefully, friend (Calendula) Marigold, who offers him some
together with a sword, a princes crown and a delicious cookies inexchange for revealing the
striped ball. But the secret begins to move and secret. Whataproblem!
make strange noises, and Hamamelis must fight
against the curiosity and the temptation he feels

5
Ivar Da Coll
No, no fui yo! [No, it wasnt me!]
Alfaguara, 2011 (1st ed. 1998) ISBN 978-958-758-058-7

With a topic children love as it expresses with produce. Although many parents and teachers
humor the harshness of lavatory matters, The try to veil some topics to children, the author
situations depicted will make the reader smile. suggests the need to recognize that our body
Three friends go out for a walk, sleep together produces noises we cannot control, when least
and believe each other in the fabulous characters expected, overcoming the shame.
they invent to blame for the noises their bodies

6 Ivar Da Coll
Chigiro Abo y Ata [Chigiro, Abo and Ata]
Babel, 2010 (1st ed. 1993) ISBN 978-958-8445-04-5

Chigiro, a capybara, is very intrigued and wants wonders whenitwill happen. As time passes,
to understand the secret explaining why adults Abo comforts him and until this time arrives,
have to be so big, soserious, with such a big Abo shows himhow the adults world is. Then
appetite. Why cant he eat as much as Abo or Chigiro decides it is boring to be big and thinks
have a couch like his couch, or cook with sharp it isbetter to wait to grow up and while waiting,
knives as Ata does? They always tell him: Now carry on eating lollipops, riding his tricycle, and
you are young, but when you grow up And he painting with crayons onhisown small table.

the world through picture books books from colombia 31


7
Ivar Da Coll
Garabato: historias de Eusebio II [Doodle]
Babel, 2006 (1st ed. 1990) ISBN 958-97602-6-0

Eusebio is a beautiful cat with a look between they all have an excuse to leave soon the rigors
sad and sweet in his eyes. He is usually engaged of this activity so quiet and calm. Finally, Eusebio
in activities slightly spiritual, sensitive and decides to paint landscapes, and then they ask
even poetic. In this book, Eusebio begins to him, again, for their portraits. At the end, Eusebio
draw, specifically, to draw portraits. A cheerful finds a final solution. With this book, Ivar Da Coll
morning, he decides to paint, and carrying the demonstrates his stories and illustrations, his
necessary elements, he sits under a shady tree imagination and poetry, are an outpost in our
to reproduce other beings on a paper. Then his country and beyond.
friends began to parade in front of his improvised Doodle, to be published soon with new
and airy studio to ask him for a portrait. illustrations by the author, is part of the series
The hen Ursula, duck Ananias, goat Eulalia, cat Eusebios Stories, which include Birthday cake and
Camila and also dog Horacio want a portrait. Im afraid.
Allof them prove to be very fickle as models:

8
Ivar Da Coll
Tengo miedo [Im afraid]
Babel, 2006 (1st ed. 1990) ISBN 958-97822-3-X

It is night and Eusebio, the cat, cannot sleep like colorful ice cream. Knowing these monsters
because he is scared. But, fortunately, he is not weakness, Eusebio decides go to sleep. He is
alone. His friend Ananias, a wise duck, tells him peaceful, after all somebody who has to drink
a secret to stop him being frightened. He reveals soup, as him, monsters included, cannot be
him that monsters also have to brush their teeth sobad.
and drink their soup, that they must take baths This book will be published soon with new
with soap and water,and go to sleep at eight in illustrations by the author.
the evening. Also, he reveals that the monsters

9 Ivar Da Coll
Torta de cumpleaos [Birthday cake]
Babel, 2006 (1st ed. 1990) ISBN 958-97602-5-2

Horacio, the dog, remembers that his friend recently had her birthday and runs to her home
Ursula had her birthday recently. He packs carrying fruit, eggs and also butter and cream,
some fruit in a basket and runs to give them before the cat... and in this way continues a
to Ursula, a hen, before she celebrates another delicious play of repetition that makes this book
birthday. Ursula receives her present and when one of the most beloved books of the Colombian
she remembers that her friend the cow Eulalia author. At the end, the basket arrives to Eusebio,
had her birthday recently, runs to her home who decides to bake a cake, and guess who
carrying in the basket fruit and some eggs before arrives athis home, attracted bythearoma?
the cow celebrates another birthday. Then, the This book will be published soon with new
cow remembers that her friend, thecatCamila, illustrations by the author.

the world through picture books books from colombia 32


Books from
Contact: Dajana Brunac
dajana@gkzd.hr / dajana.brunac@usa.net

Croatia
The list was created by members of the Croatian Committee for Library
Services forChildren and YA.

1
Pika Vonina
Emilija u zemlji kotaa [Emilija in the land of wheels]
Leykam International, 2009 ISBN 978-953-7534-34-9

In this picture book the author presents Emilija Autorica u slikovnici predstavlja svoju junakinju, ovcu
the sheep, and her numerous sheep family. Emilija Emiliju, i njenu brojnu obitelj. Ovca Emilija voli jesti,
loves to eat, she grows with time and one day she raste i jednoga dana otkriva da se moe rei ne.
discovers that she can say no. Itis precisely her Upravo zbog svoje tvrdoglavosti doivljava pravu
stubbornness that leads her into a true adventure. pustolovinu. Odbija otii u obiteljsku etnju, uzima
She refuses to go for a walk with the family, svoju najdrau igraku i odlazi. Samostalna etnja
shetakes her favourite toy and leaves. Her walk poinje veselo, no ubrzo Ovica, Emilijina omiljena
is cheerful at the beginning, but soon, the Lamb, igraka, izgubi kotai. Potraga za igrakom odovodi
Emilijas favourite toy, loses a wheel. The search Emiliju u udnovatu zemlju kotaa.
forthe toy parts brings Emilija intoastrange Tekst slikovnice jednostavan je i kratak, prikladan
land ofwheels. The text is simple and short, zadjecu koja tek pokuavaju samostalno itati.
appropriate forchildren just trying to read on their Ilustracije se stapaju s tekstom, te izraavaju motive
own. Illustrations merge with the text and express koji nisu uvijek izraeni rijeima.
themotives that are not always expressed inwords.

2
Sunana krinjari Ana Kadoi, ill.
Plesna haljina utog maslaka [The Dance dress of the yellow dandelion]
Golden marketing-Tehnika knjiga, 2004 ISBN 953-212-220-6

It is hard to see through the mysterious life of U tajanstveni ivot cvijea teko je proniknuti, jer
flowers, because flowers do not talk, preserving ono ne govori i tako ve dugo uva tajnu o vremenu
in such a way the secret place and the secret i mjestu odravanja godinjeg cvjetnog bala. Veina
time of the annual flower-ball. Most of the cvijea je raskona, lijepa i mirisna, samo maslaak
flowers are gorgeous, beautiful and fragrant, smatra kako je nedostojan odlaska na bal. I kad se
just a dandelion considers himself unworthy iniposve nemoguim, maslaku enetko pomoi,
to go to the ball. Andwhen everything seems netko od koga nikada takvo to ne bi oekivao.
completely hopeless, the dandelion will get some Donedavno neugledan cvjetak bez mirisa i bogatih
help, given to him by somebody from whom such boja zablistat e i zasjeniti sve sudionike plesa
a thing would never be expected. Insignificant u najljepoj i najudesnijoj pahuljastoj haljini.
until recently, this small flower with no odour Ovapoetina pria govori o plemenitosti i ljubavi koja
nor colour will suddenly shine and dazzle all the se nalazi duboko usvakom srcu. Naizgled najgrublji
participants with the most beautiful and most i nedodirljivi pojedinci skrivaju dobrotu koju ponekad
amazing fluffy dress. Thispoetic story talks about treba polakootkrivati.
generosity and love that lie deep in every heart.
Even those who seem to bethe most brutal
anduntouchable individuals hide some goodness
that sometimes needs to be slowly revealed.

the world through picture books books from croatia 33


3
Stanislav Marijanovi
Knjiga arobnih formula [The Book of the magic formula]
Sipar, 1999 ISBN 953-6415-20-8

This unusual and witty tale introduces readers Ova neobina i duhovita bajka uvodi itatelje u svijet
to theworld of small, ugly, vicious and naughty malih, rugobnih, pakosnih i zloestih udovita koja su
monsters that are essentially sweet, kindhearted u svojoj biti draga, dobroduna i simpatina. Ona ive
and likeable. They live near us, with us, inside uz nas, s nama, u nama i ine ivot raznolikim, veselim
us andmake our lives different and happy. i drugaijim. Mala kuna udovita ukazuju na osobine
Small home-monsters show the characteristics i ponaanje djece i odraslih, to itanje knjige kroz
and behavior of children and adults, and prepoznavanje i poistovjeivanje s karakterom i imenima
the recognition and identification with the likova koje predstavalju ini zabavnim.
characteristics and with names that represent U prii obitelj odlazi na odmor uvjerena da ostavlja svoju
those characters makes the process of reading staru kuu praznu. No, tako samo izgleda na prvi pogled.
very amusing. In the story, thefamily goes on Iako je veina kunih udovita skrivena u autu, dva
vacation convinced that they left their old house vrlo ivahna sobna udovita ostaju kod kue. Igrajui
empty. But that is not the case. Although most of se pronalaze Knjigu arobnih formula koje, naravno,
the monsters are hidden in the car, two monsters moraju ih isprobati.
remain in the house. They find the Book of magic Pria o udovitima obiluje humorom izraenim kroz
formula which, surely, has tobe tested and tried matovite ilustracije.
out. This story of monstersisrich in humour
expressed through imaginative illustrations.

4
Ludwig Bauer Vjekoslav Vojo Radoii, ill.
Morski igrokazi [The sea plays]
Golden marketing-Tehnika knjiga, 2005 ISBN 953-212-245-1

The book contains two witty role-play Knjiga sadri dva duhovita igrokaza Potragu
dramatisations, Treasure Hunt and Pearl za blagom i Ronilac bisera koji su rezultat je
Diver that are the result of joint creative work zajednikog stvaralakog rada dvojice vrsnih hrvatskih
of two excellent Croatian authors. Visually very autora. Likovno je vrlo privlana i zanimljiva kao
appealing and interesting as an independent samostalno djelo, istovremeno slui kao predloak
work, it also serves as a template for some za daljnji rad, odnosno postavljanje igrokaza na
further work, suchas setting the play on the pozornicu. Ona je svojevrstan naputak za uprizorenje,
stage. It is a sort ofinstruction for staging, and a svako itanje otkriva nove vrijednosti u napisanom
each reading reveals a new value in the written tekstu i ivopisnim ilustracijama. Slikovnica na nekim
text and in colourful illustrations. Some pages of listovima sadri prozorie, iza kojih se kriju likovi iz
the picture book contain windows, with some predstave ili ak cijela scena, to pridonosi oivljavanju
of the characters in the play, or even whole knjige, poput pozornice.
scenes hidden behind, whichcontributes to the
liveliness of the book, likeastage.

the world through picture books books from croatia 34


5
Svjetlan Junakovi
Ljubav spaava ivote [Love saves lives]
Algoritam, 2007 ISBN 978-953-220-498-8

In this picture book the author succeeded to esto nerazumijevanje svijeta djece i odraslih Junakovi
restore harmony between the world of children je pomirio u svojoj autorskoj slikovnici. Zanimljivim
and the world of adults. With interesting solution rjeenjem autor dijeli priu na dva dijela. Manji dio
the author divides the story into two parts. itateljima doarava doivljaje djevojice Ele, a vei
Asmaller part describes the experiences of a oslikava tatino vienje zajednikog druenja na pecanju.
girl called Ela, while the greatest part depicts Ela je ivahna djevojica koja je uvjerena kako je tata
Dads reflections on them fishing together. Ela prezaposlen i preozbiljan, te se treba opustiti. Tata je
is a vivacious girl who is convinced that her dad pecanje zamislio kao uivanje u miru i tiini, to je uz
is too busy and too serious, and he needs to Elu nemogue. Matovita djevojica u tatinom eiru
relax. For Dad fishing means enjoying the peace vidi savreni brod, crvie za mamac puta na slobodu
and quiet, which is impossible with Ela. For the da se igraju, a kamenie baca upravo tamo gdje
imaginative girl daddys hat represents a perfect je tata zamislio potpuni mir... Iako se kroz razliito
boat, she releases bait-worms and leaves them doivljavanje istog isprepliu se ala, veselje i radost, tati
to play, and throws stones exactly where her dad nije ba uvijek zabavno. No, djeja iskrenost i otvoreno
envisioned complete peace. Although the different srce pokazuju vanost zajednikog druenja, igre i pravu
perceptions are intertwined through some fun, joy vrijednost ljubavi, koja spaava ivote.
and gladness, Dad is not always amused. However,
the childs sincerity and open heart demonstrate
the importance ofsocializing, playing and having
fun, and the true value of love that saves lives.

6
Sanja Lovreni Tomislav Zlati, ill.
Kako je dobro sa svim tim ivotinjama
[It has been so good with all these animals]
Leykam-International, 2009 ISBN 978-953-7534-36-3

In a small house there is a place for everyone, U maloj kui ima mjesta za sve, i ljude i mnotvo
forpeople and many different animals. They razliitih ivotinja. Svi zajedno ive skladno iako su
all live together in harmony although they are vrlo razliitih navika, potreba, karaktera, veliina i
ofvery different habits, needs, characters, sizes boja. Nitko nije ljut, nitko nikome ne smeta i zbog toga
and colours. No-one is angry or bothers anyone, se kae gdje eljad nije bijesna, ni kua nije tijesna.
like it is said in a saying where the inmate is not Naravno, ivotinja moe biti i vie, svi su dobrodoli
angry, no house is too small. Of course, there i nikog se nee tjerati. Ljubav prema ivotinjama
canbeeven more animals, all are welcome pobuuje dobrotu u svakom ovjeku. Djeca ispunjena
andno one will be chased. Love for animals raises ljubavlju postaju e zadovoljne odrasle osobe, a ovo
the goodness in every person. Children filled with je jedan od naina kako malu djecu, i onu malo, veu
love will become happy adults, and this is one of nauiti toleranciji, odnosno potivanju razliitosti te
the ways to teach children to accept tolerance skladnom zajednikom ivotu.
andrespect diversities and a harmonious
lifetogether.

the world through picture books books from croatia 35


7
Grigor Vitez Tomislav Torjanac, ill.
Kako ivi Antuntun [How Antuntun lives]
Mozaik knjiga, 2009 ISBN 978-953-14-0656-7

The book is based on Grigor Vitezs anthological Slikovnica je nastala prema antologijskoj pjesmi
poem which many generations of readers Grigora Viteza u ijim stihovima ve preko stotinu
enjoyed for over a hundred years. The poem godina uivaju generacije itatelja. Pjesma nosi
carries a strong message of accepting differences snanu poruku prihvaanja razliitosti meu ljudima
among people which is important to develop koju je vano razvijati od malena, jer Antuntun je
in an early age, because Antuntun was kind- dobroduna i vrlo posebna osoba, drugaija od svih
hearted and a very special person, different koje nas okruuju. Moda on ponekad izgleda udno
from all. Perhaps he sometimes looks weird ili se ponaa onako kako nitko ne oekuje i ne radi
or behaves in a way that no one expects or u stvarnom svijetu, no upravo je u tome njegova
performs in the real world, but that in fact is his vrijednost. Matovite ilustracije dobrodunog i
value. Imaginative illustrations of good-hearted neobinog Antuntuna s mnotvom duhovitih prizora
and unusual Antuntun with lots of funny scenes uitak su za oi i duu djece i odraslih.
represent delight for the eyes and soul of children
and adults.

8
Dubravka Paen-Farka Draen Jerabek, ill.
Gospodin Otto i stari naslonjai [Mr. Otto and old armchairs]
Sipar, 2010 ISBN 978-953-6415-75-5

This story is about Mr. Otto who is a master Pria je ovo o gospodinu Ottu koji je majstor tapetar.
upholsterer. He repairs old chairs and covers On popravlja stare naslonjae i presvlai ih predivnim
them with beautiful new materials of amazing novim materijalima krasnih boja i ara. Svatko tko
colours and patterns. Anyone who sits in a sjedne u tako obnovljeni komad namjetaja, otplovi
refurbished piece of furniture, sails away in a u drugaiji svijet u kojem se i sam osjeti arobno.
different world and feels marvellous. Master Otto Susjeda majstora Otta, radoznala je djevojica koja
has a neighbour, a curious little girl who loves ga voli promatrati kroz prozor svoje sobe. Ono to
to watch him through the window of her room. jenajvie udi jest zelena maglica kojom je obavijena
She is very curious about the blue haze which njegova kua dok radi. Kada se stari majstor i mala
envelopes his home while he is working. When susjeda konano upoznaju, djevojici e se otkriti dotad
the old master and a small neighbor finally meet, nepoznati svijet.
the girl will discover the whole unknown world. Zahvaljujui neobinom majstoru saznat e tajnu
Thanks to the unusual master she will find out kako, uz puno znanja, volje, umijea, te malo arolije,
the secret how, with lots of knowledge and obnoviti ne samo stare naslonjae, ve i ljude i njihove
skills, some good will, and a little magic, not only ve pomalo istroene veze i odnose koji, uz malo mate
can the old chairs be restored but people as well. (ili zelene maglice), ponovo postaju - kao novi.
With a little imagination (or green mist) their old
ties and relationships become like new.

the world through picture books books from croatia 36


8
Sonja Zubovi Marijana Jeli, ill.
udesna kuharica Lize Brljize [The amazing cook-book of Liza Brljiza]
Published by the author, 2010 ISBN: 978-953-56354-0-6

We all know that our fondest memories are Svi znamo kako su najljepa sjeanja vezana uz prianje
related to storytelling, delicious food and odours pria, ukusnu hranu i mirise koji se ire iz mamine ili
spreading from the mothers or grandmothers bakine kuhinje. Najdragocjeniji trenutci su provedeni
kitchen. The most precious moments are sonima koje volimo, a dananji nain ivota ne ostavlja
spent with those whom we love, and todays dovoljno vremena za uivanje u zajednitvu. Kuhinja
lifestyle does not leave enough time to enjoy je mjesto gdje se svi mogu druiti, kuhati i isprobavati
the togetherness. The kitchen is a place where razna jela, a udesna kuharica Lize Brljize svojim
everyone can hang out, cook and try out various jednostavnim, domaim receptima i stihovima potie
dishes. The amazing cook-book of Lisa Brljiza, with its djecu i roditelje na uivanje u zajednikom spravljanju
simple homemade recipes and verses encourages jela i itanju poezije. Tako je lijepo i ugodno jo samo
both children and parents to enjoy preparing uonim domovima gdje se obitelji esto drue za stolom.
meals together and to read poetry. Itisstill nice
and comfortable to be in such homes where
families often hang out at the table.

10
elimir Hercigonja Marsela Hajdinjak-Kre, ill.
Vodenjak i stara kruka [Water-sprite and the old pear tree]
Naklada Haid, 2005.; ISBN: 953-6897-49-0

Once upon a time everything was different, Jednom davno sve je bilo drugaije, zrak je bio svje,
theair was cool and the water in wells was a voda u zdencima kristalno ista i posebna okusa
crystal clear, with special flavour, all thanks zahvaljujui vrijednim vodenjacima. Brinui o zdencu
tothediligent water-sprites. There was alittle u sjeni stare kruke ivio je mali vodenjak. ivot mu
water-sprite who looked after a well, placed jebio lijep sve dok se stara kruka nije posuila i ostala
in the shade of an old pear tree. His life was bez plodova, a on od tuge zanemario istou svojeg
beautiful until the old pear tree dried up and zdenca. Plaui za minulim vremenima vodenjak nije
was left without fruit, and out of sadness pronalazio rjeenja. Jednostavnim savjetom sova
heneglected the cleanliness of the well. jeprenula vodenjaka, te je ubrzo voda u njegovu
Cryingfor the past times the water-sprite could zdencu postala ista. Zdenac je proglaen carskim,
not find a solution. Then an owl gives the sprite aon sam - carskim vodenjakom.
some wise advice and soon the water in the Tekst otkriva djeci ljepotu u svemu to ih okruuje,
well became clear again. The well is proclaimed aupotpunjen je sjetnim i nostalginim ilustracijama
Caesarean, andhebecame aCaesarean water-
sprite. Thetext reveals to children the beauty
ineverything that surrounds them, and is
complemented by melancholic illustrations.

the world through picture books books from croatia 37


Books from
Contact: Kirsten Boelt
kbt-kultur@aalborg.dk

Denmark
The Danish picture books were chosen by the Danish IBBY members and the
librarians in the childrens departments in Denmark. A call was sent out for
nominations and a number of very fine suggestions were received. The IBBY
board and Kirsten Boelt met and agreed the 10 Danish picture books shown
here below.

1
Egon Mathiesen
Mis med de bl jne [The blue eyed pussy cat]
Gyldendal, 1977 (1st edition 1949) ISBN 978-87-01-54431-3 and 978-87-01-54431-4

The blue eyed pussy cat is not like all the other Mis er ikke som alle de andre katte. De driller ham
cats. They tease him for his blue eyes. But he med hans bl jne. Men han bliver populr, da han
becomes popular because he finds the land of finder landet med de mange mus. Mis med de bl jne
many mice. The blue eyed pussy cat from 1949 fra 1949 er en af forfatteren, maleren og illustratoren,
is one of writer, painter and illustrator, Egon Egon Mathiesens mest kendte og elskede billedbger
Mathiesens most familiar and beloved picture for brn. Hans poetiske og enkle tekster kombineret
books for children. His poetic and simple texts med illustrationerne skaber en ny begyndelse for dansk
combined with the illustrations created a new brnelitteratur i efterkrigstiden. Bogen er en klassiker
departure for Danish childrens literature in the og den lses stadig hjt for danske brn. For 3-6 rige.
post war period. The book is a classic and still
read aloud to Danish children. For 3-6 year-olds.

2
Flemming Quist Mller
Cykelmyggen Egon [Bicycle mosquito Egon]
Gyldendal, 2006 (1st edition 1967) ISBN 978-87-02-04698-4 and 978-87-02-04698-9-4

Bicycle mosquito Egon loves hard and fast Cykelmyggen Egon elsker en hrd og hurtig sprint.
sprints. So it was in 1967 when Egon machined I1967 kommer Egon cyklende op af vandet p en flot
out of the water on a great, new racing bike ny racercykel i Flemming Quist Mllers billedbog,
inFlemming Quist Mllers picture book which som ogs i dag er en klassiker. Bogen, hvor Egon
remains a classic today. The book, in which cykler rundt i verden og ender i et cirkus, er illustreret
Egon travels the world and ends up in a circus, is med fantasifulde farver og en detaljeret og livlig bar.
illustrated with fanciful colors and a detailed and QuistMller er bde forfatter, illustrator og musiker,
lively bar. QuistMller is both author, illustrator og modtog i 2006 Gyldendals bogpris, der bliver givet
and musician, and received in 2006 Gyldendals til en forfatter eller illustrator, som har gjort noget helt
Book Prize, which was awarded to an author srligt for brnelitteraturen. For 3-6 rige.
orillustrator who has done something special
forchildrens literature. For 3-6 year-olds.

the world through picture books books from denmark 38


3
Mette Moestrup Charlotte Pardi, ill.
Hvad siger sneugleungen Ulla? [What does Ulla, the young snowy owl say?]
Gyldendal, 2009 ISBN 978-87-02-07076-7

It is not easy to be a young snowy owl when you Det er ikke nemt at vre en sneugleunge, nr man har
are not aware of what a young snowy owl really glemt, hvad sneugleunger siger. Hvad siger sneuglen
is saying. What does, Ulla the young snowy owl say? Ulla? er historien om Ulla, som ikke kan tale rent
is the story of Ulla, who cannot speak openly and ogsom ikke ved, hvordan hun skal f ordene ud, nr
does not know how she should get the words out hun mder de andre dyr. Men mske kan de hjlpe?
when she meets the other animals. But maybe Teksten er tt og klar med mange gentagelser og lyde,
they can help! The text is tight and clear, full of der passer fint til tungen. Illustrationerne af Charlotte
repetitions and sound that fit comfortably on Pardi er smukke og enkle og holdt i farverne bl og
the tongue. Illustrations by Charlotte Pardies are hvid. Bogen er fra 2009 og er allerede ved at vre
beautiful and simple in the colors blue and white. enklassiker for brn. For 2-4 rige.
The book is from 2009 and has already been
appointed as a classics forchildren.
For 2-4 years olds.

4
Bente Olesen Nystrm
En tur med hunden [A walk with the dog]
Gyldendal, 2011 ISBN 978-87-02-08547-1

A walk with the dog is an imaginative photo story En tur med hunden er en fantasifuld billedhistorie
told and illustrated by Bente Nystrm Olesen. fortalt og illustreret af Bente Olesen Nystrm.
The reader travels with the dog on a tour Lseren rejser med hunden p tur gennem den ene
through one image after another over 12 detailed billedverden efter den anden gennem 12 detaljerede
notices, accompanied by a short text on four fortllinger, der er fulgt af en kort tekst p fire linjer.
lines. It teems with secrets, stories and mysteries, Bogenerfyldt med hemmeligheder, historier og
which are to explore. Bente Olesen Nystrm is mysterier, som m udforskes. Bente Olesen Nystrm er
an award-winning artist and illustrator. She has en prisvindende kunstner og illustrator. Hun har lavet
made numerous picture books and illustrated, talrige billedbger og har blandt andet illustreret bger
among others, works about animals and plants. omdyr og planter. For 4-7 rige.
For 4-7 year-olds

5
Kim Fupz Aakeson Mette-Kirstine Bak, ill.
Mor [Mom]
Gyldendal, 2006 (1st ed. 1998) ISBN 978-87-02-02384-8 and 978-87-02-02384

The book Mom from 1998 is about a boy who has Bogen Mor fra 1998 er om en dreng, der har en tyk
a fat mother. Extremely fat. She can smell a hot mor. Kmpetyk. Og hun kan lugte en plsevogn
dog stand a hundred feet away. And she will not p hundrede meters afstand. Og hun vil ikke spise
eat carrots and become thin. Its embarrassing, gulerdder og blive tynd. Drengen synes, det er flovt,
the boy thinks, and he decides to find a new s han beslutter, at finde en ny mor, der er pn og
mother who is nice and slim. Kim Fupz Aakeson slank. Kim Fupz Aakeson behandler den betingelseslse
treats the subject unconditional love in a warm krlighed med varme og humor. Illustrationerne
and funny way. The drawings of Mom and her afMor og hendes dreng, der er s frygtelig flov over
boy who is so embarrassed, so embarrassed sin tykke mor, er bredt ud over siderne med en krlig
byhis fat mother is spread over the pages with hnd af illustrator Mette Kirstine Bak, som modtog
loving hand by illustrator Mette Kirstine Bak Kulturministeriets Illustratorpris i 1999. Fra 8 r og op.
The1999 Cultural Ministry Illustrator Award.
For8 year-olds and older.

the world through picture books books from denmark 39


6
Mats Letn Hanne Bartholin, ill.
Finn Herman [Finn Herman]
Gyldendal, 2001 (1st edition 2001) ISBN 978-87-00-46562-6 and 978-87-00-46562-3

Finn Herman from 2001 is about the fine lady who Finn Hermann fra 2001 handler om en fin dame, der
wants to go into town with her sweet crocodile vil g en tur i byen med sin sde krokodille. Selvflgelig
Finn Herman. Of course its a little dangerous, but er det lidt farligt, men Finn Hermans mor giver ham
Finn Hermans mother gives him good advice, so gode rd, s der ikke sker noget ... med Finn Herman i
nothing happens... with Finn Herman, anyway. hvert fald. Det ender med at Finn Herman bliver s tyk,
It ends with Finn Herman becoming so fat that at han slet ikke kan vre i bogen - s der m en ekstra
he cannot even be in the book so there must side ind for at vise hvor stor og tyk, han er blevet
be a page pamphlet to show how big and fat he efter deres gtur. Finn Herman er illustreret af Hanne
was after their walk. Finn Herman was designed Bartholin, der fik Kulturministeriets Illustratorpris for
by Hanne Bartholin, who received The Ministry hendes morsomme illustrationer, som underfundigt og
of Culture Illustrator Prize for her humorous enkelt beskriver hvordan, hendes mor ikke troede p,
drawings that subtly and simply describe how her at en krokodille kan gre noget forkert. For 4-6 rige.
mother did not believe that the crocodile can do
no wrong. For 4-6 year-olds.

7
Martin Glanz Serup Lars Vegas Nielsen, ill.
Sebastians monster [Sebastians monster]
Alma, 2006 ISBN 978-87-7243-236-6

Sebastians father and mother think Sebastian Sebastians far og mor tror, at Sebastian er frygteligt
is terribly afraid of the monster, which may be bange for det monster, der mske gemmer sig i skabet.
hiding in the closet. But actually, he thinks its so Men faktisk synes han bare, det er s KEDELIGT
boring to be in bed. The father wants to get the at skulle i seng. Da far vil gre kort proces og vise,
bedding done quickly and show that monsters do at monstre ikke findes, fr hele familien sig en
not exist. But the whole family gets a big surprise overraskelse og Sebastian fr det helt, som han vil
and Sebastian gets it exactly as he wants it. have det. Med sene sovetider, popcorn, fjernsyn og
By late sleeping times, popcorn, television and monster! Lars Vegas Nielsen, som har illustreret bogen,
monster! Lars Vegas Nielsen the illustrator of this fik Kulturministeriets Illustratorpris for bogen. En skr,
book received The Ministry of Culture Illustrator original og skrkkelig bog, der har det hele, ogs en
Prize. A crazy original, awful book that has lykkelig slutning. Fra 5 r og op.
itall including a funny ending. For 5 year-olds
andolder.

8
Morten Drr Lars Gabel, ill.
Marias dukke [Marias doll]
Hst, 2010 ISBN 978-87-638-1402

Maria and her brother are street children and Maria og hendes broder er gadebrn, og de tjener
earn money by collecting garbage. The adults penge ved at samle skrald. De voksne krver at de
require them to deliver everything they find. afleverer alt de finder. En dag finder Maria den fineste
But one day Maria finds the finest doll that she dukke, som hun rigtig gerne vil beholde. Men kan
really wants to keep. But Maria can lie to the Maria lyve for de voksne, nr de sprger: er det alt, du
adults when they ask: Is that all? Arent you har fundet? Beholder du ikke noget selv? Marias dukke
keeping anything? Marias doll is a picture book en billedbog for skolebrn. Den fortller om gadebrns
for schoolchildren. It tells of street childrens vilkr og om krlighed mellem sskende, venskab,
conditions and is about sibling love, friendship, fattigdom og overlevelse. For 6-10 rige.
poverty and survival. For 6-10 year-olds.

the world through picture books books from denmark 40


9
Jakob Martin Strid
Lille Fr [Little frog]
Gyldendal, 2005 ISBN 978-87-02-03812-9

Little frog comes down from outer space. Lille Fr kommer dunsende ned fra det ydre rum.
Straightinto an unsuspecting frog family in Ligened i en intetanende middelklasse-fr-familie
the middle of their coziest hour in front of the midt ideres helligste hyggestund foran fjernsynet.
television. The family takes the frog into their Familien tager alligevel fren i deres arme og elsker
arms and loves it as one of their own children. den, som deres egen lille fr. Der er bare et problem:
Theres just one problem: Little frog is very, very Lille fr er meget, meget slem. Derfor havner han
bad. He ends up being sent to specialists and ret hurtigt hos skolepsykologen. Men, Lille Fr er
the school psychologist. However, being part en del af en familie, som elsker ham, og det hjlper
of a family who loves him, helps Little Frog to ham til at finde sin plads i verden. Med bogen vandt
find his place in the world. This story won Jakob Jakob Martin Strid den danske del af den Nordiske
Strid the Danish part of the Nordic picture book billedbogskonkurrence i2004. For 4-6 rige.
competition, in 2004. For 4-6 year-olds.

10
Ib Spang Olsen
Guden Thor [The god Thor]
Alma, 1997 ISBN 978-87-7243-176-8

In every way a great book, that gathers all the En p alle mder stor bog, der samler alle historierne
stories of the thunder god, the fertility creator, om tordenguden, frugtbarhedsskaberen, slagsbroderen,
fighter, fire maker and hero Thor from Nordic ildfrembringeren og helten Thor. Fortalt i store, blide,
mythology. Narrated in large, gentle, violent, voldsomme, sanselige og dramatiske farvebilleder
sensual, and dramatic color images in Ib Spang ogiIb Spang Olsens srlige sprogtone, s man
Olsens special tone of language, so you can even ligefrem kan hre ham fortlle. En bog for alle
hear him talk. A book for all ages and at all times. aldre og til alle tider. Bogen er en rkke livfulde og
The book is a series of vivid and grandiose stories storladne historier, der bres af en varm fortlletone
carried by a warm tone, in a visual language that og et billedsprog, der har sin helt egen yderst
has its own highly textural texture. It is simply stoflige tekstur. Det er simpelthen hamrende godt.
good. For 6 year-olds and older. Fra6rogop.
.

the world through picture books books from denmark 41


Books from
Contact: Ulla Potsonen
ulla.potsonen@gmail.com

Finland
This selection of picture books is a combination of classics and interesting
contemporary authors and illustrators. Some of the stories have entertained
several generations already. The older illustrations and colors appeal also to
younger parents as retro chic. Contemporary illustrators and authors create
experimental, fresh and color-saturated reading experiences.
The books were chosen by approximately 35 Finnish children librarians around
the country, who voted for their favourites. A compiled list of 10 titles was
made from the long list of individual favourites. The final list represents both
official languages in Finland, Finnish and Swedish as well as the indigenous
culture of Sami in the northern part of the country.

1 Tove Jansson
Vem ska trsta Knyttet? [Who will comfort Toffle?]
WSOY, 1960 ISBN 9789150104714

Toffle is a lonely and fearful little creature, who Nyyti on yksininen ja pelokas olento, joka on
doesnt want to be alone anymore. So he goes off kyllstynyt olemaan yksin. Niinp hn lhtee matkaan
to find a friend. His journey is full of amazement, etsimn ystv. Nyytin matka on tynn ihmeit,
beautiful colours and scary bogeymen. kauniita vrej ja pelottavia mrkj.
Translations: Finnish, English. Knnkset: suomi, englanti

2
Mauri Kunnas Tarja Kunnas
Koiramki-sarja [Doghill series]:
Koiramen talossa [The Doghill farm]
Koiramen lapset kaupungissa [Doghill kids go to town]
Koiramen talvi [Winter in Doghill]
Otava (joint ed.), 1996 ISBN 9789511058571, 978951106995-9, 9789511102212

Cherishing, delightfully and humoristically Hauskasti ja humoristisen yksityiskohtaisesti


illustrated stories about Finnish way of life kuvitettuja tarinoita perinteisest elmntavasta
andtraditions in the countryside, as it was about Suomen maaseudulla reilut sata vuotta sitten.
150-200 years ago. Translations: English. Knnkset: englanti

the world through picture books books from finland 42


3 Aino Havukainen Sami Toivonen
Tatun ja Patun Suomi [This is Finland]
Otava, 2007 ISBN 9789511219156

Tatu and Patu: what can you say about these Mitp voi sanoa Tatusta ja Patusta! Heidn
guys? Their approach to Finnishness is unique, lhestymisens suomalaisuuteen on ainutlaatuinen,
hilarious and to the point. An essential survival hillittmn hauska ja osuva. Kirja on tydellinen
guide to Finnish mentality. Translations: English, selviytymisopas suomalaiseen kansanluonteeseen.
Swedish. Knnkset: englanti, ruotsi.

4
Oili Tanninen
Hippu [Nugget]
Otava, 1967, 2009 ISBN 9511232401

Nugget is a small picture book about friendship Hippu on pikkuruinen kuvakirja ystvyydest ja
and caring. The images are strong and deep vlittmisest. Kun kuvat ovat vahvoja ja vrit syvi,
enough, maybe words are not needed. The ei sanoja vlttmtt tarvita. Vritys on nykykatsojan
colours appear to be very retro, as the book silmiin nostalgisen retro, kuvakirja on alun perin
originates in the sixties. 1960-luvulta.

5
Maikki Harjanne
Minttu- ja Vanttu-kirjat [Minttu and Vanttu series]
e.g. Mintun ja Vantun matka [Minttu and Vanttu take to the sky]
WSOY, 1986

Bright colours, clear illustration and familiar Kirkkaat vrit, selke piirrosjlki ja lapsiperheen tutut
situations in a toddler family have made these tilanteet ovat tehneet Minttu-sarjan kirjoista jo
picture books favourite over generations. useiden sukupolvien suosikkeja.
Translations:English. Knnkset: englanti

6 Juha Virta Marika Maijala, ill.


Sylvi Kepposen pitk piv [The long day of Sylvia Prankster]
Otava, 2008 ISBN 978-951-1-22373-3

Sylvia is annoyed to be the shortest in her class Sylvi on luokkansa lyhyin ja toivoo kovasti jalkojensa
and wishes to grow and have longer legs. Well, kasvavan. No, ern aamuna Sylvin toive toteutuu
one morning her wish comes true more rapidly nopeammin kuin hn olisi koskaan osannut arvata
than she ever expected The book is a joy to Kirjan pitkulainen muoto tekee siit hauskan luettavan.
behold with its oblong shape.

the world through picture books books from finland 43


7 Sinikka Nopola and Tiina Nopola Markus Majaluoma, ill.
Rauhallinen Erkki [The calm Eric]
Tammi, 2001 ISBN 9789513121877

Eric is peaceful and calm. Too calm for a child, Erkki on rauhallinen ja hiljainen. Vhn liiankin
his parents think. Lively Lilly moves next door, rauhallinen, ainakin vanhempien mielest. Vilkas Lilli
is it possible for Eric to make friends with a muuttaa Erkin naapuriin, miten rauhallinen Erkki voisi
rascal? Somehow Eric depicts theFinnish native ystvysty rasavillin Lillin kanssa? Erkki kuvaa hyvin
character and mentality perfectly. Translations: suomalaista luonnetta ja mentaliteettia.
Swedish. Knnkset: ruotsi

8
Kristiina Louhi
Tomppa-kirjat [Tomppa series]
e.g.Miss Tomppa? [Wheres Tomppa?]
Tammi, 2008

Every day life and situations in a toddlers family: Taaperon perheen jokapivist elm: ykylss
spending the night at Granmas orwanting mummin luona tai millaista on, kun haluaa jotain
something REAL bad. Translations: Swedish, OIKEIN kovasti.
Danish, Dutch. Knnkset: ruotsi, tanska, hollanti

9
Tove Appelgren Tittamari Marttinen, ill.
Vesta-Linneas svartaste tanke [Vesta-Linnea down in the dumps]
Tammi, 2008 ISBN 978951522568-9

The ups and downs of a big family. Suurperheen iloja ja suruja.

10
Annukka Aikio and Samuli Aikio Mika Launis, ill.
Tytt joka muuttui kultaiseksi koskeloksi
[The girl who transformed into a goosanser]
WSOY (2nd ed.), 2010 ISBN 9789510347478

A story from Sami indigenous people in Lapland. Saamelaistarina Lapista.


Translations: Norwegian. Knnkset: norja

the world through picture books books from finland 44


Books from
Contact: Nathalie Beau
nathalie.beau@bnf.fr

France
The National Centre for Childrens Literature La Joie par les livres
(Bibliothque nationale de France) asked a selection of French childrens
librarians working inpublic libraries of different sizes and locations, to make
their choice of books.

1
Philippe Corentin
Plouf! [Splash!]
Lcole des loisirs, 1991 ISBN 978-2-211-02641-3

A landscape format used vertically makes the Un format litalienne utilis en hauteur permet
reader visualize the sensation of falling down, and devisualiser la sensation de chute et de faire rebondir
gives a new turn to the plot. How to get out of laction. Comment sortir du puits quand on est un loup
the well when one is a starving stupid wolf who affam et stupide qui a pens que le reflet de la lune
thought the moon was a cheese? Well, finding a tait un fromage? Et bien, en trouvant un bent qui y
half-wit that goes down the well himself ! descende son tour!

2
Claude Ponti
Blaise et le chteau dAnne Hiversre [Blaise and Anne Hiversres
BirthDays castle]
Lcole des loisirs, 2004 ISBN 978-2-211-07763-7

A great tribute to those stories that nurture Un magnifique hommage aux histoires qui nourrissent
children. The famous Claude Pontis chickens limaginaire enfantin. Les fameux poussins ont dix jours
have ten days to build the most irresistibilicious pour construire le plus irrsistibilicieux chteau pour
castle for Anne Hiversaires [sounds like la fte dAnne Hiversre! Des prparatifs au goter,
Anniversaire : Birthday] party ! From the on assiste un vritable feu dartifice dinventions
preparations to the party itself, it is a firework de noms, de lieux, de savoir-faire et dimages pleines
display of invented names, places, skills and pages foisonnantes, extravagantes, hilarantes.
abundant, extravagant, hilarious images. The Les multiples hros cits en pages de garde de
many heroes quoted on the flyleaf from Frankenstein E.T. enpassant par Oblix et Hulul se
Frankenstein to E.T., Oblix and Hulul soon retrouvent bientt eninvits dhonneur. Un rgal lire
become guests ofhonour. A delightful book for en famille!
family reading.

the world through picture books books from france 45


3
Jean de Brunhoff
Histoire de Babar: le petit lphant [The Story of Babar the little elephant]
Hachette Jeunesse, 1995 ISBN 978-2-01-223358-4

How a little elephant goes from the jungle to the Comment un petit lphant passe de la jungle laville,
city, gets civilised and becomes King. Page design, se civilise et devient roi. La mise en pages, lillustration
illustration and text combine wonderfully so that et le texte se conjuguent merveille pour permettre
each big double page tells the first steps of a life. toute ltendue de la double page de raconter les
Ahero that everybody knows since his creation premires tapes dune vie. Unhros que tout le monde
in 1931, and who charms every generation but connat depuis sa cration en 1931 et qui sduit toute
beware of counterfeits! lesgnrations, mais attention aux contrefaons!

4 Esla Valentin Ilya Green, ill.


Bou et les 3 zours [Bou and the 3 bears]
Atelier du poisson soluble, 2008 ISBN 978-2-913741-66-9

A story we know by heart a little curious girl Cest une histoire que lon connat par cur celle
gets lost in the woods and goes into the three dune petite curieuse qui se perd dans la fort et pntre
bears house told here in a fresh, unexpected danslamaison des trois ours mais qui se raconte
way thanks to the language, a joyous mixture of ici avec une fracheur totalement inattendue, grce
portmanteau words, neologisms, poetic words, la langue, unjoyeux mlange de mots-valise, de
foreign-sounding words. One gets used to it nologismes, de mots aux consonances potiques, avec
quickly and enjoys this language game with its des accents de langues trangres. On shabitue trs
repetitive structure that calls for reading out vite et lon prend plaisir ce jeu de langage appuy
loud. Illustration in bright, deep colours for dense par une structure rptitive qui invite spontanment
woods and expressive Bou with her big fair eyes, une lecture voix haute. Lillustratrice manie ici avec
who goes from wonder to fear but badly wants, brio les couleurs la fois vives et profondes dans une
in spite of all, to go back visit the bears. juxtaposition de formes qui donne une belle densit la
fort et une grande expressivit Bou, avec ses grands
yeux clairs, qui passe de lmerveillement la peur mais

5
meurt denvie, malgr tout, de retourner viser les zours.
Tomi Ungerer
Les Trois brigands [The Three Robbers]
Lcole des des Loisirs, 1968 ISBN 978-2-21101961-3

A parodic story as Ungerer loves them, supported Une histoire parodique comme les aime Ungerer,
byeconomic, brilliantly efficient illustration: soutenue par une illustration conome et
how theterrible robbers break and become magistralement efficace: comment les terribles
benefactors of orphans for the sake of a little girl brigands craquent et se transforment en bienfaiteurs
that is not easily impressed. des orphelins pour une petite fille qui ne se laisse pas
impressionner.

6
Ramona Badescu Benjamin Chaud, ill.
Pomelo grandit [Pomelo grows up]
Albin Michel jeunesse, 2010 ISBN 978-2-226-19566-1

On his morning road, Pomelo comes upon a tiny Sur le chemin du matin, Pomelo croise un tout petit
dandelion. He realises then that he has grown pissenlit. Il se rend compte alors quil agrandi! Ilexplore
up! He explores the big pages of the book as he les grandes pages du livre comme ilexplore levaste
explores the wide world. He is still a little lost, monde. Il est encore un peu perdu, attendrissant de
touchingly clumsy and boldly shy, but he would maladresse et daudace timide, mais il voudrait faire
like to do something big. How? What happens quelque chose de grand. Comment faire? Que se passe-
when one grows up? A big-format book on the t-il lorsque lon grandit? Un album grand format sur
doubts and hesitations of children growing up. lesdoutes et les hsitations des enfants qui grandissent.

the world through picture books books from france 46


7
Pierre Delye Martine Bourre, ill.
Le ptit bonhomme des bois [The Little Man of the woods]
Didier jeunesse, 2003 ISBN 978-2-278-05383-4

The beautiful collage work by Martine Bourre, Le beau travail de collage de Martine Bourre, avec
with its effects of different materials, is perfectly ses effets de matire, est parfaitement adapt cette
adapted to this lively story using repetition. We randonne pleine dallant qui nous entrane la suite
follow the little man of the woods who follows du ptit bonhomme des bois, qui, lui, suit le chemin
the path ofhis thoughts without realising that et ses penses, sans se rendre compte qu son tour,
he is himself followed by the badger, then the fox, il est suivi par le blaireau, puis par le renard, puis
then the wolf, then the bear. The typography is par le loup, puis par lours. Les jeux de typo servent
cleverly used in this classic story nicely re-visited. intelligemment cette histoire classique mais bien
Success guaranteed with small children. joliment renouvele. Succsgaranti avec les petits.

8
Natha Caputo Pierre Belvs, ill.
Roule galette [Rolling Cake]
Pre Castor-Flammarion, 1950 ISBN 978-2-08-160112-3

A cake cooling on the window sill gets bored, Une galette qui sennuie refroidir au bord de la
letsitself slide down and goes away on the road. fentre, se laisse glisser et senfuit sur le chemin.
Itrolls across the countryside, sings a little song Elleroule travers la campagne, chantonne et
andescapes from the rabbit, the bear, the wolf chappe successivement au lapin, lours, au loup
Butthe clever fox is watching out! Mais le renard malin guette!
A classic of Pre Castor Books, published in 1950 Un classique des ditions du Pre Castor, publi en
andstill making children happy. 1950 et qui fait toujours le bonheur des enfants.

9
Grgoire Solotareff
Loulou
Lcole des loisirs, 1989 ISBN 978-2-211-02120-3

When a young wolf meets a young rabbit and Quand un jeune loup rencontre un jeune lapin et quils
neither knows that one is supposed to devour the ignorent que lun est sens dvorer lautre, une belle
other, then a beautiful friendship may be born. amiti peut natre. Mais quand ils dcident de jouer
But when they decide to play at whos afraid peur du loup, cela peut mettre en danger cette
of the big bad wolf, this trustful relationship relation de confiance. Solotareff emmne, sans rien
may be put in danger. Solotareff leads children, dmontrer, les enfants vers des rflexions profondes.
without any demonstration, to deep reflection. La force de son illustration qui joue sur les contrastes
The force of illustration, playing with contrasting daplats de couleurs vives rehausse encore le propos.
solid colours enhances the meaning of the text.

10
Nadja
Chien bleu [Blue Dog]
Lcole des loisirs, 1989 ISBN 978-2-211-01417-8

The friendship between a little girl and a strange Lamiti entre une petite fille et un trange chien au
blue-furred dog with green eyes sparkling like pelage bleu, aux yeux verts qui brillent comme des
gems. Charlotte wants to adopt it but her mother pierres prcieuses. Charlotte veut ladopter mais sa
wont let her. Coming out of the night when mre syoppose. Surgi de la nuit quand elle sera perdue
she is lost in the woods, it will defend her from dans lafort, il la dfendra contre la panthre noire,
the black panther, spirit of the night, who has esprit de lanuit, venue prendre son d. Une histoire
come to claim its dues. A strong story told with forte raconte laide de puissantes peintures la
powerful gouache paintings. gouache.

the world through picture books books from france 47


Books from
Contact: Kerstin Keller Loibl
loibl@fbm.htwk-leipzig.de

Germany
The selection of titles was created in 2011 by interviews with German
librarians byKerstin Keller-Loibl (Standing Committee, IFLA, section Libraries
for Children andYoung Adults) in cooperation with the German Library
Association.

1
Werner Holzwarth Wolf Erlbruch, ill.
Vom kleinen Maulwurf, der wissen wollte, wer ihm auf den Kopf gemacht
hat [The Story of the Little Mole who knew it was none of his business /
TheStory of the Little Mole Who Went in Search of Whodunit]
Hammer, 2001 ISBN 978-3-87294-882-3

A terrible catastrophe befalls the little mole one Der kleine Maulwurf ist sauer: da hat ihm doch
bright, sunny morning. When he looks out of tatschlich jemand auf den Kopf gemacht. Jetzt sucht
his holePLOP! Something that looks just like er den beltter. Geeignet ab 3 Jahren.
asausage lands on his head. Whodunit? Our little
hero sets out to find who has left their business
on his head. In the end, with the help of some
flies, Little Mole gets his revenge.

2
Ernst Jandl Norman Junge
Fnfter sein [Next please]
Beltz & Gelberg, 2009 ISBN 978-3-407-79401-7

Waiting for the doctor can be nerve-wracking, Beim Doktor haben sich ein paar ldierte Gesellen
even for toys. As six injured playthings wait versammelt und warten voll Bangen und Zagen, bis
their turn to be called into a forbidding door, sie an der Reihe sind: der Blech-Pinguin ohne Flgel,
their growing apprehension is apparent on der Teddy mit Augenklappe, ein kleiner Holzkerl
theirfaces. Each time, before the doctor calls, mit abgeknickter roter Nase. Geeignet ab 4 Jahren.
Next please, the door opens and one happy toy Nominiert fr den Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis 1998.
comes bounding out, good as new. That doesnt
comfort the last toy in line a wooden boy with
a brokennose.

the world through picture books books from germany 48


3
Helme Heine
Freunde [Friends]
Beltz & Gelberg, 2008 ISBN 978-3-407-77024-0

Charlie Rooster, Johnny Mouse, and Percy the Franz von Hahn, Johnny Mauser und Schwein
pig are the best of friends. They do everything Waldemar radeln gemeinsam am Abgrund entlang,
together. They ride their bike together, play spielen Piraten auf dem Dorfteich und sind sogar im
games together, and even do their chores Traum die dicksten Freunde! Geeignet ab 4 Jahren.
together. Because thats what good friends Auswahlliste Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis 1983.
do. When night falls, though, and its time to
go tobed, they learn that sometimes friends
have to be apart. But thats okay, because true
friends always find each other, even if its just
intheirdreams.

4
Nadja Budde
Einszweidrei Tier [One two three me]
Hammer, 2000 ISBN 978-3-87294-827-4

Did you ever notice that juice rhymes with moose? words suddenly take on a clever rhythm and
Or that pale rhymes with whale? Eye-catching, pattern all their own. What could be more fun
funky art and unexpected rhymes come together than nonsense and concepts rolled intoone?
in this little book to show just how silly everyday
words can be. Kids will crack up at the outrageous Witzige Bild- und Sprachspielereien voller
cartoon illustrations
a roach in ashower cap? pfiffiger Einflle. Geeignet ab 3 Jahren. Deutscher
Aboar wearing lederhosen? Read the simple, Jugendliteraturpreis 2000.
wacky text aloud, and what seems to be random

5
Jutta Bauer
Die Knigin der Farben [The Queen of Colours]
Beltz & Gelberg, 2009 ISBN 978-3-407-79221-1

A young Queen lives alone in her castle, but Malwida ist die Knigin der Farben. Ihre Untertanen
becomes increasingly bored with her purely black Blau, Rot und Gelb verstehen sich eigentlich ganz
and white world. To ease her boredom, the court gut. Bis es eines Tages zum Streit kommt und
painter and court musician magically bring colour Malwidas ganzes Reich grau und grauer wird.
and adventure to her life. Geeignet ab 4 Jahren. Nominiert fr den Deutschen
Jugendliteraturpreis 1999.

6
Janosch
Oh, wie schn ist Panama [The trip to Panama]
Beltz & Gelberg, 2007 ISBN 978-3-407-80533-1

Little bear and Little tiger live together in their Zwei Freunde brechen auf zu einer Reise in das Land
house down by the river. They are quite content ihrer Trume. Geeignet ab 4 Jahren.
with their life until one day Little Bear finds
acrate marked Panama floating in the river.
The crate smells strongly of bananas and Little
Bear takes it home in great excitement to show
Little Tiger. Panama suddenly becomes their
dreamland and they will not be content until they
have been there.

the world through picture books books from germany 49


7
Philip Wchter
Ich [Me]
Beltz & Gelberg, 2009 ISBN 978-3-407-79404-8

Bears have more than a passing resemblance to Der kleine Br ist ein Optimist und kann sich ber
humans. Especially this bear, who takes pleasure diekleinen und groen Dinge des Lebens freuen!
in the little things in life, and, of course, the big Geeignet ab 4 Jahren.
things as well. He is generous to a fault, and
ifweare to take his word for it, a rather clever
fellow. But, like many of us, even our bear has
days when he feels dreadfully alone Fortunately,
he knows exactly what to do about it.

8
Jakob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm Nikolaus Heidelbach
Mrchen der Brder Grimm [Fairy tales by Brothers Grimm]
Beltz & Gelberg, 2009 ISBN 978-3-407-79926-5

A family collection of 101 fairy tales by Ein Hausbuch mit 101 Grimmschen Mrchen,
theBrothers Grimm, insightfully illlustrated hintergrndig illustriert von Nikolaus Heidelbach.
byNikolaus Heidelbach. Geeignet ab 10 Jahren.
Recommended for ages 10 and over.

9
Peter Schssow
Gehrt das so??! [Is that right? The story of Elvis / Can it be?]
Hanser, 2008 ISBN 978-3-446-20563-5

Nobody knows why the little girl with the big talk about Elvis again: what he was like and how
bag marches through the park and shouts at beautifully he could sing. Andwho knows, maybe
complete strangers until finally someone dares the two Elvises will meet in heaven...
to ask. Then it turns out that she is sad and angry
because Elvis is dead. Not THE Elvis but her canary,
who had the same name. Thats sad. But now Was ist los mit dem Mdchen, das so zornig
Elvis gets a real funeral, with candles, a wreath die Lackledertasche hinter sich herschleift?
with a sash, and afterwards there are biscuits and Folgen wir ihr! Geeignet ab 5 Jahren. Deutscher
cocoa. And because that helps, thelittle girl can Jugendliteraturpreis2006.

10
Quint Buchholz
Schlaf gut, kleiner Br [Sleep well, little bear]
Sauerlnder, 2007 ISBN 978-3-7941-3666-7

With its tranquil pace and soft pencil drawings, Obwohl der kleine Br eine lange Gute-Nacht-
this teddy bear tale makes a potent bedtime Geschichte gehrt und seine 5 Ksschen bekommen
antidote for wound-up children. A wakeful teddy hat, kann er immer noch nicht einschlafen
bear revisits his activities of the day just past, and Geeignet ab 3 Jahren. Auswahlliste Deutscher
ponders what he might do tomorrow. His mental Jugendliteraturpreis 1994.
wanderings take him to a river, a meadow, a
neighbors house and a circus, where in the
evening quiet, the clown is playing a sleep song
on his violin for the baby elephant.

the world through picture books books from germany 50


Books from
Contact : Patricia Navet
patricia.navet@cg971.fr

Guadeloupe
(France)

This selection was made by librarians and teachers desiring to give children
quality picture books to read. It has taken into account the literary interest
of picture books published in Guadeloupe today, which, more and more
frequently, do not just concentrate on teaching purposes.
Two publishers, Jasor and PLB, do remarkable work to develop quality
childrens literature. More and more, they encourage creative and original
stories, quality in texts and illustrations, in design and aspect of books. These
books offer a successful mixture to suit the tastes of children of different ages.
The recipe? Take heroes that children like, familiar animals like the anoli little
lizard, the ant, the toad (LAnoli amoureux, Toc, toc, toc! Cest Manioc!, Frogolo
et Marcello), family characters a grandmother (Les Oeufs de Man Firmin), a
little boy and his mother (Frogolo et Marcello) or issued from folktales like an
ogress (Le Drle de festin de Commre Tartignolle) or Anansi the Spiderman (Les 7
dons dAnansi). Pour in a good mesure of feelings, love (LAnoli amoureux), anger
(Frogolo et Marcello). Add a zest of humour (Rosalie et Ti Zandoli, Le Drle de festin
de Commre Tartignolle), a snatch of the fantastic (Lowitt la grenouille qui danse,
Les Longues nattes de Potica), a pinch of popular song (Frogolo et Marcello).
Blend it all with superb illustrations made by new talents (Danielle Monsoro,
Doumey Durieux, Javie Munoz, Marielle Plaisir) or renowned illustrators. Thus
a special place is given to Sophie Mondsir who left us too soon, and to Alex
Godard, Guadeloupean author and illustrator who has not been published
locally but who represents le pays Guadeloupe and needs to be in this selection.

1
Ophlie Bohme Sylvie Leduc, ill.
Rosalie et Ti Zandoli [Rosalie and Ti Zandoli]
PLB ditions, 2007 ISBN 978-2-35365-025-5

Wanting to catch a butterfly, a little anoli (lizard) En voulant attraper un papillon, un petit anoli (lzard)
ends up very far away from home. A sparkling se retrouve entran bien loin de chez lui. Une histoire
story, full of humour, with a text in French ptillante et pleine dhumour, un texte en franais
and Creole, a good rhythm, accessible to very et encrole, bien rythm et trs accessible aux plus
small children and narrative illustrations full petits, des illustrations narratives remplies de fantaisie.
ofimagination.

the world through picture books books from guadeloupe (france) 51


2
Laure Galvani
Toc, toc, toc! Cest Manioc [Knock, knock, knock! Its Manioc]
PLB ditions, 2001 ISBN 2-912300-24-X

Manioc the ant is suddenly awakened. Manioc la fourmi est rveille en sursaut. Quelquun
Somebodys knocking at her door. She opens frappe sa porte. Elle ouvre, mais ne trouve quun
it but only finds a bundle. Manioc decides baluchon. Manioc dcide de retrouver celui qui
tofind who has left it there and leaves to visit lalaiss l et part visiter le vaste monde du jardin.
the vast world of the garden. A walk through Unerandonne travers la savane, remplie de
the savannah, full of good and not so good rencontres bonnes et moins bonnes. Des illustrations
encounters. Original illustrations in collages; originales en collage et la chanson de la randonne
thesong sung during the walk is at the end enfin dalbum.
ofthebook.

3
Alex Godard
Maman-dlo [Mama of Water]
Albin Michel jeunesse, 1998 ISBN 978-2-226-09079-9

Ccette lives in Guadeloupe, with Papoli and Ccette vit la Guadeloupe, chez Papoli et Man Ninie,
Man Ninie, her grandparents: her mother is far ses grands-parents: sa mre est partie au loin, en
away, inMetropolitan France, and the little girl mtropole et la fillette attend. Elle scrute lhorizon,
waits. She watches the horizon, expects mail, espre du courrier, guette la moindre nouvelle. Jusquau
is on the look out for news. Until the moment moment o, la faveur dun conte, elle saura mieux
when, thanks to a story, she understands her own comprendre sa propre histoire, accepter la disparition
history better, accepts her fathers disappearance de son pre, croire aux retrouvailles avec sa mre.
and believes she will meet with her mother Une belle histoire, qui trouve toute sa richesse dans
again. A beautiful story that finds its richness in sa simplicit mme. Le texte sait suggrer en peu de
its simplicity. With few words, the text suggests mots la force des motions. Lillustration, en grands
the power of emotion. Illustrations, in big tableaux, donne une ampleur colore et chaleureuse
paintings, give colour and warmth to landscapes lvocation des paysages et des personnages.
andcharacters.

4
Gilda Gonfier Doumey Durieux, ill. Max Rippon transl. into Creole
Zandoli mand may = LAnoli amoureux [The Anoli in love]
ditions Jasor, 2010 ISBN 978-27011-5321-6

This picture book is inspired by a traditional song Cet album sinspire dune chanson traditionnelle
of the Antilles: Zandoli mand may, Mabouya desAntilles: Zandoli mand may, Mabouya di non,
dinon, Zandoli mand may, Mabouya di non, Zandoli mand may, Mabouya di non, non, non!
non, non!. This time, Zandoli (or Anoli) wants Cette fois, cest la fille du soleil que Zandoli (ou Anoli)
to marry the Suns daughter; he loves her madly veut pouser, il en est follement amoureux et si les
but the animals he meets dont understand it, animaux quil rencontre ne le comprennent pas, cest
since they know nothing of love. Chance will quils ne connaissent rien lamour. Le hasard fera
bring a happy ending. A nicely written text, with finalement trs bien les choses. Le livre souvre, dun
a good rhythm but the language of the Creole ct, sur la version en franais et, de lautre, sur la
text is difficult for small children. Very figurative version crole. Le texte, est trs joliment crit, bien
illustrations, in the beautiful colors of tropical rythm. Dommage que la version crole soit difficile
nature, go well with this short tale. daccs pour les tout-petits. Les illustrations trs
figuratives, aux belles couleurs de la nature tropicale,
accompagnent bien ce court rcit.

the world through picture books books from guadeloupe (france) 52


5
Danielle Monsoro
Les 7 dons dAnansi [Anansis seven gifts]
PLB ditions, 2011 ISBN 978-2-35365-066-8

One day Anansi the spider wove round cocoons Anansi laraigne tissa un jour des cocons tout ronds
and the first humans came out of them. But only do sortirent les premiers humains. Mais seul son
her last son, Anansi, stayed with her. He had six dernier fils, Anansi, resta auprs delle. Il eut six enfants
children and gave each a gift A story inspired auxquels il fit chacun un don Une histoire inspire
by Anansi the spider, a character of West Africa par le personnage dAnansi laraigne, que lon trouve
folktales. It talks of the origin of man and of dans les contes dAfrique de lOuest. Ellenous parle
mutual aid and support. Beautiful watercolor delorigine des premiers hommes et aborde lesnotions
illustrations, full page, all soft, complement the dentraide et de solidarit. De magnifiques illustrations
text and make one want to go into the story. laquarelle, pleine page, toutes en douceur,
compltent bien le texte et donnent envie derentrer
dans lhistoire.

6
Danielle Monsoro Romuald Monsor, transl. into Creole
Frogolo et Marcello = Fwogolo Mawslo [Frogolo and Marcello]
PLB ditions, 2011 ISBN 978-2-35365-065-1

Frogolo the toad is on a walk: in front of the Frogolo le crapaud se promne: devant le restaurant,
restaurant, to the hairdressers, the carpenters chez le coiffeur, le menuisier Il arrive dans le jardin de
He arrives at Marcellos garden but the small boy Marcello mais le petit garon veut le frapper. Maman
wants to hit him. Mother steps in and Marcello intervient et Marcello nest pas content, pas content
is not happy, not happy at all. This story written du tout Cette histoire crite et illustre par Danielle
and illustrated by Danielle Monsoro is based on a Monsoro est base sur une chanson populaire trs
Sam Castendets song which is very well-known connue aux Antilles de Sam Castendet. Lesillustrations
in the Antilles. The watercolor illustrations show laquarelle refltent un dcor strotyp et
a stereotyped setting, full of nostalgia from the empreint de la nostalgie des annes 1950. Tous nos
1950s. A new writer-illustrator to be encouraged. encouragements cette nouvelle auteure-illustratrice.

7
Nicole Noizet Javie Munoz, ill.
Les ufs de Man Firmin [Man Firmins eggs]
PLB ditions, 2006 ISBN 978-2-912300-97-3

At Fonds Roseau, life is hard for old Rose: Fonds Roseau, dure est la vie pour la vieille Rose:
adaughter on the other side of the ocean, une fille de lautre ct de locan, un mari qui a rendu
ahusband that has passed away, grandchildren le dernier soupir, des petits enfants lever et nourrir,
to raise and feed, and now her laying hen has et voil que sa poule pondeuse a disparu Qu cela ne
disappeared Well, she will brood the eggs tienne, elle va couver elle-mme les ufs! Cocasserie
herself! A funny situation, tenderness and mutual de la situation, tendresse et solidarit au quotidien
support in daily life are the features of this picture marquent ces pages aux illustrations chaudes
book with warm pastel illustrations. enpastelgras.

the world through picture books books from guadeloupe (france) 53


8
Jal Pedro Sophie Mondsir, ill.
Le Drle de festin de commre Tartignolle
[Commre Tartignolles funny feast]
ditions Jasor, 2005 ISBN 2-912594-54-5

Commre Tartignolle loves tarts, particulary Commre Tartignolle raffole des tartes, surtout
bent [silly person] tarts! She thinks the small delatarte au... bent [jeu de mots avec bent]!
boy Abnou will be perfect for a tart; she finds Ellepense en trouver un vraiment parfait pour une
him sleeping on the beach and she takes him tarte, en la personne dAbnou un jeune garon
home to cook. But, to Commre Tartignolles dormant sur la plage, quelle amne la maison
despair, neither the knife nor the frying pan nor pour le cuisiner. Mais ni couteau, ni pole, ni mixeur
the mixer will defeat the boy. A lengthy text, nauront raison du garon, au grand dsespoir de
lively, tasty as a good tart! In a natural way, with Commre Tartignolle. Un texte consquent, plein de
both grace and a farcical quality, the text and the vitalit, savoureux comme une bonne tarte! Leplus
marvelous illustrations by Sophie Mondsir make naturellement du monde, la fois avec grce et
this story as spicy as it should be. burlesque, le texte et les merveilleuses illustrations
deSophie Mondsir donnent cette histoire le piquant
qui convient.

9
Marielle Plaisir
Les Longues nattes de Potica
PLB ditions, 2001 ISBN 2-912300-24-X

A beautiful, big picture book, with delicate and Voici un bel album, grand format, aux illustrations
colourful illustrations. A rich text-image ratio and dlicates et colores. Le rapport texte-image riche
precious illustrations. Here we find themes from et les fonds des illustrations sont particulirement
classical tales where heroes have magical hair: travaills, ce qui donne louvrage un ct prcieux.
Rapunzel, Samson Potica has braided hair as On retrouve ici des thmes venus des contes classiques
so often in the Antilles and her braids get longer o le hros possde des cheveux magiques: Raiponce,
when she dreams or she wishes for something Samson... Potica, elle, a les cheveux natts comme
and her wishes become true! It is also a kind partout aux Antilles et ses nattes sallongent quand
ofinitiatory tale. When the time comes to have elle rve ou quelle souhaite quelque chose et ses
her hair cut, Potica will enter the adult world. dsirs se ralisent ! Cest aussi une sorte de conte
Will she lose her powers then? initiatique. Quand viendra le temps de couper ses
cheveux, Potica rentrera dans le monde des adultes.
Perdra-t-elle alors ses pouvoirs?

10
Anique Sylvestre Michle Chomereau-Lamotte, ill.
Lowitt, la grenouille qui danse
ditions Jasor, 2009 ISBN 978-2-912594-71-6

Pitou, a young boy, wants to charm Zinia, the Pitou, un jeune garon, veut sduire Zinia, la nouvelle
new pupil in the class. He intends to impress her de la classe. Il compte lblouir en lui racontant une
through a story, since she loves stories. So he asks histoire, elle qui les adore tant. Pour cela, il sollicite
his mother and she tells him the fascinating story sa mre qui lui raconte la fascinante histoire de
of Lowitt, the green frog who, without willing it, Lowitt, la grenouille verte devenue star de la danse
became a dance star. A frog that turns out not to malgr elle. Une grenouille qui se rvlera nen tre
be a frog! The main themes of this tale are magic pas une ! Ce conte a pour thmes phares le sortilge
spells and transformation. Even if illustrations et la mtamorphose. Bien que les illustrations soient
are sometimes redundant, every page has a clue quelquefois redondantes, on retrouve de page en
the same cord round the frogs and the mans page, un indice la mme corde enroule la taille
waists that works as a thread. de la grenouille et celle de lhomme qui fonctionne
comme un fil conducteur.

the world through picture books books from guadeloupe (france) 54


Books from
Contact: Lourdine Altidor
alourdine@yahoo.fr

Haiti
Lourdine Altidor, librarian in Haiti, made a choice of 30 picture books,
particularly successful at lheure du conte (storytime) and other reading
programs. She sent this choice to other childrens librarians in Haiti, to arrive
at a choice of ten titles. Three librarians were able to answer in time: Adelyne
Pinchinat, librarian at the Institut Franais dHati and the person in charge
of the Digital library of the Universit dtat dHati, in partnership with
Bibliothque Sans Frontires; Fleurette Tessono, former Director of Alliance
franaise des Cayes library, founder of FONDART where she manages abook
club for young people; Gessy Tessier, former Director of the childrens section
of the Mdiathque de lInstitut Franais dHati, currently Library Assistant
atLittle RiverLibrary, Miami-Dade Public Library System, USA.

1
Odette Roy Fombrun Chevelin Djasmy Pierre, ill.
Odette Roy Fombrun raconte Bouqui et Malice
[Odette Roy Fombrun tellsBouqui and Malice]
Editha, 2011 ISBN 978-99935-95885-5

Bouquin the naf uncle and Malice the cunning, Bouqui et Malice, loncle un peu naf et le neveu rus
teasing nephew are the most popular characters et taquin, sont les personnages les plus populaires des
in Hatian folktales. Tales were nourished by contes hatiens. Ce folklore sest nourri de la culture
thecultures of the various peoples on the island: des diffrents peuples qui ont habit lle: Indiens,
Native Americans, Spanish, French, Africans Espagnols, Franais, Africains Les aventures des
Theadventures of Bouqui and Malice are told deux compres sont racontes de faon trs vivante,
here in a very lively way, and dialogues are avec beaucoup de dialogues brods dexpressions
rich in Haitian Creole expressions. The author croles hatiennes. Odette Roy Fombrun a ancr
has set her tales in daily life, the market, the sesrcits dans le quotidien des habitants, le march,
celebrations Lots of fun at the expense of lesftes On samuse beaucoup aux dpens
poorBouqui! decepauvreBouqui!

2
Cllie Aupont Rodchield Lamothe, ill.
Drle de Ratutu! [Funny Ratutu!]
Editha, 2011 ISBN : 978-99935-95908-8

Rats have serious misgivings about the cats of Les rats se mfient beaucoup des chats du village
the nearby town, who want to eat them. A young voisin qui ne sont toujours pas satisfaits de leur repas
couple of rats return from their honeymoon with et ont trs envie de les manger. Un jour, un jeune
a baby, Ratutu, who is obviously not like other couple de rats revient de voyage de noces avec un
little rats. His parents hide him under a big hat bb, Ratutu, qui, de toute vidence, nest pas comme
how strange! and they cut off his whiskers les autres jeunes rats. Ses parents le cachent sous
regularly But instinct will eventually speak, and un grand chapeau comme cest trange! et lui
the hoax will be revealed. And if rats and cats coupent rgulirement les poils des moustaches Mais
learned to live together? A good story delivering les instincts finiront par parler, et la supercherie par se
amessage in a light hearted way, accompanied rvler. Et si les rats et les chats apprenaient vivre
by expressive illustrations. ensemble ? Une bonne histoire message mais sans
lourdeur, accompagne dillustrations expressives.

the world through picture books books from haiti 55


3
Marlne tienne Chevelin Djasmy Pierre, ill.
Bnisoit en vacances [Bnisoit on holidays]
Editha, 2011 ISBN 978-99935-95861-1

Bnisoit the donkey is the hero of several Bnisoit, lne, est le hros de plusieurs histoires bien
amusing stories by Marlne tienne. In this one, amusantes crites par Marlne tienne. Cette fois,
Bnisoit goes with the children to the boat that Bnisoit accompagne les enfants jusquau bateau
will take them to Gonve island for their holidays. quiva les emmener passer leurs vacances sur lle de
But Bnisoit intends to go on holidays too. la Gonve. Mais il entend bien profiter des vacances,
Hejumps on board and does one silly thing after lui aussi. Il saute bord et, ivre de libert, fait btise
the other. Damage must be paid for. The children, sur btise. Il faut payer les dgts. Les enfants, se
remembering Bnisoits gift for dancing, put up souvenant des talents de danseur de Bnisoit, dcident
ashow and give the donkey his stage name: de monter un spectacle et donnent lne son nom
Jackel Makson. Pictures of Jackel dancing in the descne: Jackel Makson. Les images de Jackel, dansant
famous Michaels style, are irresistibly funny. la faon du clbre Michael, sont irrsistiblement
Chevelin Djasmy Pierre, in his style reminiscent drles. Chevelin Djasmy Pierre, avec son style qui
of comics, has great talent for giving life to his emprunte la bande dessine, a un talent fou pour
characters. A picture book exuding good humor. donner vie ses personnages. Un petit album la
Other titles in the series: Bnisoit en tap tap bonne humeur contagieuse. Les autres titres de cette
(2001); Bnisoit Miami (2003); Bnisoit et le pre srie sont aussi intressants: Bnisoit en tap tap
Nol (2008). (2001); Bnisoit Miami (2003); Bnisoit et le
pre Nol (2008).

4
Mal Fouchard Chevelin Djasmy Pierre, ill.
Le Loup et lagneau [The Wolf and the Lamb]
Editha, 2009 ISBN 978-99935-95-71-7

Mal Fouchard gives a very free version of Mal Fouchard donne ici deux versions trs libres
La Fontaines fable The Wolf and the Lamb, des fables de La Fontaine Le Loup et lAgneau
spiced with some Creole words. It is a pleasure pimentes par quelques mots de crole. On peut
to discover the beautiful paintings by Chevelin sinterroger sur lintrt dune adaptation des fables
Djasmy Pierre. By the same author, illustrated mais on ne boudera pas le plaisir de dcouvrir les
byStanley Leriche with montage and collage, beaux tableaux peints par Chevelin Djasmy Pierre qui
afree version of The Cicada and the Ant. viennent illustrer Le Loup et lagneau. Stanley Leriche,
lui, a fait le choix graphique de montages et de collages
pour illustrer La Cigale et la Fourmi.

5
Ilona Armand Chevelin Djasmy Pierre, ill.
La Folle poursuite [The Wild Chase]
Editha, 2008 ISBN 978-99935-95885-5

Christo has escaped his big sisters surveillance: Christo a chapp la surveillance de sa grande
Poulette can only watch him disappear, carried sur Poulette qui peut seulement le regarder senfuir,
up in the air by a terrible malfini (a bird). She entran dans lair par un terrible malfini (un oiseau).
pursues him and is helped by a goat, an old man Elle le poursuit et est aide par une chvre, un vieillard
and an old woman Lots of humour in the text et une vieille femme Le texte et les illustrations
and in the images in this story. Lots of repetitions, decette histoire sont remplis dhumour et
plus surprising, colourful characters. sont construit avec beaucoup de rptitions

the world through picture books books from haiti 56


6
Odette Roy Fombrun Patrick Charles, ill.
De surprise en surprise [Surprises]
Hachette-Deschamps, 2001 ISBN 99935-31-11-1

Ti dane and Mercilia go to town for the first time, Ti Dane et Mercilia vont en ville pour la premire fois
with their uncle who wants them to see what avec leur oncle qui veut les faire dcouvrir le carnaval.
carnival is like. The children soon get lost in the Bientt, les enfants se perdent dans la foule. Alors
motley crowd. While looking for their uncle they quils essaient de rejoindre leur oncle, ils dcouvrent
discover the fascinating but also disturbing world lemonde fascinant mais aussi perturbant de la parade.
of the parade. They end up finding their uncle, Ils finissent par retrouver leur oncle aprs stre
after dancing to the catchy rhythm of meringue. accrochs au rythme de la meringue. Les illustrations
Very colourful illustrations show the different trs colores prsentent les diffrents costumes
carnival costumes and other details of this du carnaval ainsi que les autres dtails de ce grand
important event. vnement.

7
Tamara Durand Marc-Yves Deshauteur, ill.
Tatzoflambo
Hachette-Deschamps, 2005 ISBN 99935-31-46-4

A very cruel man beats and starves his wife and Tatzoflambo est un homme aussi cruel quun monstre
children. If only they knew this heartless mans qui fait continuellement des misres sa femme
name, he would burst into pieces! One after Clia et ses trois fils. Mais il porte un lourd secret
the other, the children find out his name but qui est, en mme temps son point faible. Car le jour
they quickly forget it. Sito, the youngest child, o le secret viendrait tre connu de sa famille, eh
does remember it. Coloured pencil illustrations, bien Tatzoflambo exploserait en mille morceaux
expressive and with child-like grace for this well- dans les airs! Clia et ses trois fils si souvent battus,
told folktale, on the subject of family violence, parviendront-ils percer ce secret? Trs bien illustr,
which happens in all social classes today. ce conte aborde la violence familiale qui est prsente
dans toutes les classes sociale de notre temps.

8
Dany Laferrire Frdric Normandin, ill.
La Fte des morts [The Day of the Dead]
ditions de la Bagnole,2009 ISBN 978-2-92342-27-6

Da, the wonderful grandmother of the small Da, la merveilleuse grand-mre du petit garon,
boy Vieux Os, has in her garden an old tomb. VieuxOs, a dans son jardin une tombe ancienne o
There lies mister Labastre, who still takes part repose monsieur Labastre, qui participe encore de
in everyday life: Marquis the dog takes his nap la vie quotidienne: Marquis, le chien y fait sa sieste,
there, and the pot of good Haitian coffee, subtle tandis que, sur la pierre tombale, fume la cafetire
and light, steams on the tombstone. There are no emplie du bon caf hatien subtil et lger. Mais Vieux
frontiers between life and death, especially onthe Os, parti la dcouverte du monde den-bas, trouvera
Day of the Dead. And when one thinks of dead sur son chemin ce qui fait vivre et rend heureux dans
people with tenderness and affection, they go on le monde den-haut : lamour. Voil pourquoi ceux qui
living in our hearts. A cheerful picture book, full or saiment sont ternels Autre titre du mme auteur:
colour. Also by Dany Laferrire: Je suis fou deVava Je suis fou de Vava (ditions de la Bagnole: 2010)
(ditions de la Bagnole: 2010)

the world through picture books books from haiti 57


9
Bernadette Saint-Paul Rginald Nazaire, ill.
Ltrange maladie de Nicolas [Nicolass strange illness]
Hachette Deschamps, 2006 ISBN 99935-31-41-3

Nicolas who usually talks so much is no longer Nicolas qui, dhabitude parle beaucoup, nest plus
himself : he does not open his mouth whatever lemme: il ne souvre pas sa bouche, peu importe
his teacher, the school headmaster, the doctor, ceque dit le professeur, le directeur de lcole,
the psychologist, the soothsayer or the healer lemdecin, lepsychologue, ou ce que fait le devin ou
might say or do But one morning his problems le gurisseur Mais un matin ses problmes ne sont
are over, in spite of a missing tooth A well- plus, en dpit desa perte de dent Un album bien
constructed picture book, with illustrations full construit, avec des illustrations pleines de charmes
ofcharm and fine observation. etdobservation.

10
Mal Fouchard Brnice F. Baussan, ill.
La Grosse voix du rakbwa [Rakbwas gruff voice]
Editha, 2009 ISBN 978-99935-95-75-5

The three children are scared. From a very Les trois enfants ont peur. Au fond du jardin, dans un
dark part of the garden, they hear a gruff voice coin trs noir, ils entendent une grosse voix qui hurle
howling, spitting yellow sputter and green en crachant des postillons jaunes et des postillons
sputter. They discover a kind toad that will verts. Le gentil crapaud quils dcouvrent, finalement,
finally become their friend. Illustrations, in the deviendra leur ami. Les illustrations, dans le style des
style of those made by children, are cheerful and dessins denfants, sont amusantes et gaies. Elles sont
amusing, in line with a lively text, with welcome au diapason dun texte plein dentrain, rythm par
repetitions, playing with sounds and blending desrptitions bienvenues, des jeux sur les sons, et
subtly French and an inventive and funny Creole. un subtil mlange de franais et dun crole inventif
etdrle.

All book reviews are adapted from those published in the journalTakam Tikou,
http://takamtikou.bnf.fr

the world through picture books books from haiti 58


Books from
Contact: Sushma Arora
sushekher@gmail.com

India
CBTs elegant picture books with bright, rich illustrations are meant for
children below eight years. The bold text and simple, creative story lines
revolve around subjects a young child can identify with delight The Childrens
Book Trust (CBT) library for Children and Young Adults selected 10 Indian
childrens picture books based on their popularity among children in the
library and their demand in other Indian languages. The CBT has the biggest
public childrens library in India with more than 15000 childrens books. For
the World through Picture Books project, the library staff chose 20 titles of
quality childrens picture books and a notable childrens literature editor Ms.
Navin Menon with her more than 35 years of experience in CBT selected 10
picture books for the project.

1
Asha Nehemiah Subir Roy, ill.
Mrs. Woollys Funny Sweaters
Childrens Book Trust, 2005 ISBN 81-7011-971-5

Mrs. Woollys passion for knitting nearly gets her entangled, but not for long.
Soon she is sold out and there are enquiries for more!
Available also in Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telgu, Urdu

2
Devika Rangachari Ankur Mitra, ill.
The Weather And I
Childrens Book Trust, 2007 ISBN 81-7011-981-2

A fascinating concept book, teaches children the various aspects related


tothefour seasons.
Available also in Hindi

the world through picture books books from india 59


3
Shankar Pulak Biswas, ill.
Mother is Mother
Childrens Book Trust, 1968 ISBN 81-7011-043-2

Ravi takes home a little squirrel he wants as a pet. This tender tale tells
whatmakes him restore it to its mother.
Available also in Hindi.

4
Lois Hamilton Fuller Anil Vyas, ill.
Little Tiger Big Tiger
Childrens Book Trust, 1970 ISBN 81-7011-068-8

The tiger cub follows his mother about as she hunts for deer and pigs
inthejungle. But when he grows up, he has to learn to hunt for himself.
Available also in Bengali, Hindi

5
Santhini Govindan Saurabh Pandey, ill.
Counting Clouds
Childrens Book Trust ISBN 81-7011-982-0

This concept book, besides telling them how rain is formed, teaches children
tocount.
Available also in Hindi.

6
Devika Rangachari Sanjay Sarkar, ill.
Colours in My World
Childrens Book Trust, 2009 ISBN 978-93-80076-16-4

The varied images and simple text lures children to relate to the array of colours
around them.
Available also in Hindi.

the world through picture books books from india 60


7
Benita Sen Saurabh Pandey, ill.
Oly and Owly
Childrens Book Trust, 2007 ISBN 978-81-89750-41-1

Owly, the little owl, and Oly, the little girl, want to meet each other. But how?
Available also in Hindi. Kannada, Tamil, Telgu

8
Asha Nehemiah Subir Roy, ill.
The Runaway Wheel
Childrens Book Trust, 1999 ISBN 81-7011-846-8

Ramu and Kamala are off to see the circus in their fathers tractor when
thewheel rolls away!
Available also in Hindi, Bengali.

9
Navin Menon Viky Arya, ill.
Balloons For Me
Childrens Book Trust, 1996 ISBN 81-7011-744-5

A little boy buys a balloon and plays all kinds of games with it.
Available also in Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telgu.

10
Sigrun Srivastava Subir Roy, ill.
All Fools Day
Childrens Book Trust, 1988 ISBN 81-7011-410-1

Topsy-turvy adventures of a little girl on a topsy-turvy April Fools Day!


Available also in Hindi.

the world through picture books books from india 61


Books from
Contact: Kazuko Yoda
k.yoda2000@gmail.com

Japan
When selecting 10 Japanese picture books, the Children and Young Adults
Section of the Japan Library Association (eleven members in all, most of
them are active in public libraries and others were once librarians) discussed
selection criteria and decided not to select new books but ones which have
been read by many children over many years.
In the 1960s, librarians, writers, illustrators, and publishers were eager to
distribute quality books to children. Eight out of the ten books in this list were
published during the 1960s. Picture books, especially by native authors, are the
best tool for understanding countries. There are many good books published
after the 1970s: we hope this project will grow and another TenPicture Books
list will be published in the near future.

1
Ken Kawata Masayuki Yabuuchi, ill.
[Animal Tails]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1969 ISBN 4-8340-0315-9

This book presents the motions and roles of


various kinds of animals tails. After a questioning
page of, Whose tail is this? comes the answering
page. Making use of animals upper bodies and
lower bodies, readers match the pictures to make
a complete animal. The warm and realistic style
of the paintings exactly catches the distinctive
features of each animal. This science picture book
is good for reading aloud, and preschool children
will readily participate and enjoy it.

2
Eriko Kishida Chiyoko Nakatani, ill.
[Hippopotamus]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1962 ISBN 4-8340-0081-8

This book is about one day in the lives oftwo


hippopotamuses in a zoo. The storyteller is a boy
who went to the zoo for his own enjoyment.
Rhythmical expressions and words charm the
reader. The layout makes for a big impression.
The drawings express massiveness and a
substantive feel making an appealing story.

the world through picture books books from japan 62


3
Satoshi Kako
[Little Daruma and Little Tengu]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1967 ISBN 4-8340-0124-5

Little Daruma and Little Tengu are good friends.


Little Daruma asks his father, Darumadon, to
let him put on the same things as Little Tengu.
However, its not possible to have exactly the
same things. So, Little Daruma works out
a way to make similar things and becomes
deeply satisfied. However, is it possible to make
thesame long nose as Little Tengus?
This book clearly represents the psychological
characteristics of a little child who wants to have
the same things as his friend.

4 Noboru Baba
[Eleven Hungry Cats]
Koguma Publishing, 1967 ISBN 4-7721-0004-0

Eleven cats that are always hungry send a big, 11


strong, and monstrous fish to sleep with a lullaby
and catch it in a remote lake. However, the big
fish, which is tied up to a raft, becomes a mere
bone when the dark night is over. On the other
hand, the cats stomachs become completely full
and round like the stomachs of raccoons.
The broad-minded story about cats who act as
they wish, gets childrens sympathy. Additionally,
the attached pictures have been attractively
drawn by a cartoonist. Consisting of six volumes,
the stories are widely appealing to children.

5 Rieko Nakagawa & Yuriko Omura


[Guri and Gura]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1967 ISBN 4-8340-0082-6

Two field mice, Guri and Gura, are fond of


cooking and eating. They find a big egg in the
forest. After talking, they decide to make a
sponge cake. Gathering twigs, they build a fire
place, and put a big pan on the fire. Then, a nice
smell wafts into the forest and various kinds
ofanimals gather around the fire. All the animals
eat the softly baked cake.
The theme of eating, which children like,
andthe conversational style of the book arouse
childrens sympathy and lead them into the world
of this picture book.

the world through picture books books from japan 63


6
Masamoto Nasu Shigeo Nishimura, ill.
[Hiroshima: a tragedy never to be repeated]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1995 ISBN 4-8340-1265-4

This diverse book tells of the dropping of the 1945 862731


atomic bomb on August 6th, 1945 using large
27by31 centimeter pictures. Considering
the pre-history of the war, which includes
explanations of the development of the atomic 61
bomb and the process of the dropping of the
bomb, it explains the history from both offensive
and defensive perspectives. It is composed using
evidence as told by 61 survivors of the atomic- 50 18
bombing of Hiroshima. The pictures illustrate
the everyday lives of people at that time and
elaborately reconstruct a birds-eye view of the
horrific disaster of the atomic bomb.
A chronological table of peace related matters
and detailed explanations of the 18 pictures
attached at the back of the book are included.

7
Miyoko Matsutani Yasuo Segawa, ill.
[The Witchs Magic Cloth]
Poplar Publishing, 1967 ISBN 4-591-00375-2

A mountain witch who lived in Chofuku


Mountain had a baby. The witch asked the village
people to pound steamed rice into cakes and
bring them to her. Two young men, led on the
way by an old woman Akazabanba, carried
the rice cakes tothe witch. During the journey,
the young men scared the witch and ran off. 21
Akazabanba went up the mountain alone to
prevent a disaster to the village. The witch asked
Akazabanba to lend her a hand for 21 days. As a
reward she gave Akazabanba a magic cloth that
would not diminish even if used continuously.
Akazabanba gave the magic cloth to the village
people. Akazabanbas love and courage towards
the villagers helped the village and made the
people happy. This story has been told for many
years in the Akita district of Tohoku. The pictures
have been created with a beautiful and elegant
touch like Japanese-style paintings, evoking
abright and happy atmosphere.

the world through picture books books from japan 64


8
Tadashi Matsui Suekichi Akaba, ill.
[Oniroku and the Carpenter]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1962 ISBN 4-8340-0085-0

A Japanese folktale picture book. A skilful


carpenter, who had been asked to build a bridge
over a rapid river, was watching the stream and
pondering his task when an ogre appeared in
the water. He offered to do the task in exchange
for the carpenters eyeballs. The bridge was
completed in a flash. When the carpenter begged
the ogre not to take his eyes, he said he would let
him go if the carpenter couldguess the ogres real
name. A similar story to Rumpelstiltskin, children
age 4 to 8 can enjoy the thrill of the conversation
between the ogre and the carpenter. Pictures
drawn using traditional Japanese techniques
complement the atmosphere ofthefolktale.

9
Akiko Hayashi
[Good evening, dear moon]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1986 ISBN 4-8340-0687-5

Its nighttime. / Look, the sky is really, really dark.


/ Now look above the roof. / Theres a light. / Its
the moon! / Good evening, dear Moon! Two cats
on the roof are cheerfully greeting the beautiful,
rising moon. However, a big cloud passes, hiding
the moons face behind it. Please move, Cloud, we
cant see the Moons face, the two cats cry. Then
the cloud gradually passes over, andthesmiling
moon comes out again... The moons grace and
its bright face are beautifully depicted in warm
and soft strokes. Each illustration in this handy,
square format abundantly describes the gentle
atmosphere ofthe night.

10
Minami Nishiuchi Seiichi Horiuchi, ill.
[Grumpas Kindergarten]
Fukuinkan Shoten, 1966 ISBN 4-8340-0083-4

Grumpa, the young elephant, was ordered to


start work. He went to work for a biscuit maker,
a shoe maker, a car maker, and so on. However,
his efforts were in vain because all he could make
were jumbo-sized goods that nobody would buy.
Grumpa was very disappointed and began to think
that he would never be able to work properly. Just
then, he happened upon abusy mother with 12
children, and so found a job which would make
him the happiest elephant inthe world. He set to
work creating a wonderful playground with the
huge things he had alreadymade.
Children love the elephant-sized things and enjoy
Grumpas success story. Simple pictures and
acheerful atmosphere attract little children.

the world through picture books books from japan 65


Books from
Contact: Yunmee Jang
yunmeej@korea.kr

Republic of Korea
The National Library for Children and Young Adults chose 10 Korean childrens
picture books based on recommendations made by 19 members of the
Childrens materials section which is the subcommittee of the National
Library Service Council for Children in Korea. The Childrens materials section
is made up of19librarians who serve children and young adults in public
libraries and childrens libraries and write childrens book reviews, which are
shared by childrens librarians nationwide. For the World through Picture
Books project, the members chose 25 titles of quality childrens picture books
anda notable childrens literature author Ms. Ji Eun Kim finally selected the
following10titles.

1 Dong Soo Kim


[How I Caught a Cold]
Borim Press, 2008 ISBN 978-89-433-0479-9

The book How I Caught a Cold is about childhood .


behavior. What does a flock of featherless ducks
have to do with a little girl catching a cold? It all .

begins with a new down winter jacket. One day,
.
she discovers a feather emerging from it.That

night, she goes to sleep wondering about the .
feather and begins dreaming of featherless ducks
who feel cold.The girl distributes the feathers .
from her jacket.Finally, all the ducks feel warm
but the girl doesnt. This book displays a childs .
imagination and love of animals.


.
2009
.

2
Jae Soo Ryu
[Yellow Umbrella]
Borim Press, 2007 ISBN 978-89-433-0691-5

Like a sonata, this book is enjoyed with music


instead of words. It is written without words. .
On the book readers will see the yellow umbrella
.
that a student would hold on a rainy day. There

is a harmony of colors and rhythm made by the
.
yellow umbrella together with other colorful CD ..
umbrellas. In the attached CD, there are 14 short
pieces of piano music in accordance with the .
illustrations. This book has no text but it talks
about the beauty of a rainy day. In 2002, the .
NewYork Times selected Yellow Umbrella asthe 2002
.
Book of the Year.

the world through picture books books from korea 66


3
Hee Kyung Kim Iwona Chmielewska, ill.
[A House of the Mind: MAUM]
Changbi, 2010 ISBN 978-89-364-5431-9

A House of the Mind: Maum invites readers into


a philosophical dialogue with the self through .
three questions: Where is the mind? What is

the mind? and Who owns the mind? Readers
.
can learn how to understand and communicate

with others through poetic texts and images.
In addition to the self-reflective text by Kim . 2010
Hee-kyung, Polish artist Iwona Chmielewska .
illustrated the work with abstract geometric
forms and movable images. This book won
theBologna Ragazzi Award for non-fiction
in 2010. The critics praised the work for being
like ashort elegant poem, and imbued with
avisionof theworld.

4
Yoon Duck Kwon
[Man-Huis Home]
Gilbut, 1995 ISBN 978-89-86621-10-X

This book shows that home is not simply the .


place you live but a place connected to your , ,
history, heritage, friends, family and memories. .

Man Huis family lived in a small town house and
.
then moved to his grandparents house where
,
they have many rooms, a spacious backyard and .
three dogs. He finds a lot of enjoyment in living
together as an extended family. Readers can .
have a better understanding of the daily life of 20
a Korean family in the 20th century. Though we .
may take home for granted, readers will realize
the most essential embodiment of life is home.

5
Hyun Ju Bae
[New Clothes for New Years Day]
Sakyejul, 2006 ISBN 978-89-5828-139-1

This story demonstrates how important


Lunar New Years day is in the Korean culture. .
Ittakes you through the experience of wearing
.
traditional Korean clothes called Hanbok,
.
aglorious costume complete with embroidered

socks, rainbow-striped jacket and a crimson
skirt, a warm furry vest, embroidered shoes, .
lucky charm, red and gold hair ribbons, bag and , , ,
black satin hat for New Years Day. The reader 27
can sense how excited the little girl is to have
new clothes for New Years day. There are many
wonderful cultural details throughout the book.
The details are beautifully drawn and the text
flows smoothly.

the world through picture books books from korea 67


6 Hyang Rang Choi
[Looking for the Ten Symbols of Longevity]
Changbi, 2007 ISBN 978-89-364-5414-5

A young girl spent a lot of time together with her


grandfather. One day, he became very ill and was .
hospitalized. As the girl prays for his good health,
.
she begins her journey to collect 10 symbols
.
oflongevity which include the sun, mountains,

water, rocks, pine trees, clouds, magical
mushroom, tortoise, white crane, and deer. .
These symbols are well demonstrated through , , ,
illustrations featuring Korean traditional furniture 27
and colors. In particular, it is interesting to see
each symbol shown using different subjects
like fabrics, paintings, chest inlaid with mother
ofpearl, embroidery, quilting and so on.

7
Young Kyung Lee
[The Seven Friends in a Ladys Chamber]
BIR, 1998 ISBN 978-89-491-0020-7

The setting of this story is a Ladys Chamber


where a young woman sews clothes. The Lady
has seven friends for her needlework: Ruler, .
, , , ,, ,
Scissors, Needle, Thread, Thimble, Small iron

with a long handle, and Iron. When the lady
.
dozes off one day, the seven friends argue about .
who is the best part of sewing. Later, they all
realize that allof them make sewing possible and
they cannot carry out the needlework without .
the help offriends. Readers can realize that .
everything existing has its own value and better
understand a Korean womans daily life and
traditional clothes of Hanbok.

8 Tae Joon Lee Dong Sung Kim, ill.


[Waiting for Mama]
Hangilsa, 2004 ISBN 978-89-356-5712-3

A little boy is waiting for his mama on the


streetcar platform. As each streetcar arrives .
with passengers, he asks the driver if his mama 1900

is coming. Finally, one driver warns the boy he
.
will get hurt if he stands so close to the streetcar

and tells him to stand still until his mama comes. .
Time passes, the wind blows and snow falls as
the child waits patiently without moving until his
mother arrives. The muted watercolors capture .
people and scenery as they might have appeared 20
in Seoul in 1938. A perfect union of text and
.
illustration tells a simple but moving story.

the world through picture books books from korea 68


9
Suzy Lee
[Wave]
BIR, 2009 ISBN 978-89-491-1205-3

This wordless picture book perfectly captures


a childs day at the beach. Followed by a flock .
of seagulls, a girl runs delightedly to where 2~3
.
waves break on the shore. Loosely rendered

charcoal and acrylic images curl and flow like
.
water and reflect playfulness, especially in the
facial and bodily expressions of the child and .
seagulls. Theuse of blue in an otherwise gray-
toned worldcalls attention to the ocean, which 3
rivals the girl as a main character in this story. .
TheNewYork Times selected Wave as one
oftenbest illustrated childrens books in 2008.

10
Dae In Cho Sook Hee Choi
[The Red Been Porridge Granny and the Tiger]
Borim Press, 1997 ISBN 978-89-433-0259-2

One day, a tiger appears before a granny and


it tries to eat her. She begs the tiger to make
him one bowl of red bean porridge before she .

dies. The old woman makes a big pot of red

bean porridge and cries in front of it fearing her
.
death.At night, the tiger comes back, and the .
small and weak objects like an egg, straw mat, .
turtle and gimlet join together to fight off the
tiger. Readers are overjoyed when the scary tiger . ,
is beaten by small objects.The moral of the story .
is that those who are bad are punished one way , , , ,
.
or another.

the world through picture books books from korea 69


Books from
Contact: Hala Bizri
halahb@inca.com.lb

Lebanon
This list is built on the investigations made by Maha Alwan* in public libraries
inLebanon. Forms were sent to one hundred public libraries in all parts
ofLebanon and responses were received from 30 libraries. The result, based
onthe projects criteria for selection, reflects the preferences of readers.

Sadly Maha Alwan has since died after an accident. We honour her memory, her
enthusiasm and her commitment to children and their books, through this list.

1
Samar Mahfuz Baraj Lena Merhej, ill.

Lam akoun aqsid [It was not my intention]
Assala, 2007 ISBN 9953470065

The story of a girl who does stupid things that carry consequences. But each
time she learns from her own mistakes. A glimmer in her eyes isreminiscent
at the end of this album that she thinks about another stupidthing...

2
Amal Ayoub Frayji Michle Standjofski, ill.

Akh rijli [Ouch my leg]
Dar al-ilm Lilmalayin, 2006 ISBN 9953633762

Jad, a young boy keeps moving, but one day he falls and breaks his leg.
A story that softens the pain of childrens everyday life.

3
Fatima Charaf Al-Din Hiba Farran, ill.

Nura wa qissatouha [Nora and her History]
Assala, 2008 ISBN 9789953488578

Illustrations that are full of details, and a beautiful calligraphy, recount


the life of the ant Noura. A fable about the life of ants which reflects the
formative experience of Noura. After saving her friends and family from
aterrible flood she regains confidence in herself and returns to her family.

the world through picture books books from lebanon 70


4
Nadine R.L. Touma Lana Khayat, ill.

Al-Qamar wa-l-wirwar [The Moon and the bird]
Dar Onboz, 2006 ISBN 9953465037

The moon and the bird are close friends, they eat and play together all day
long. A rhythmic lullaby introduces the reader into a gentle drowsiness.
A CD accompanies the book.

5 Rania Saghir Samar Ziadeh, ill.



Al-imlaq el imlaq [The great giant]
Turning point, 2005 ISBN 9953000204

A child feels his big hands, his big feet, his big eyes. Beside his mother
he discovers his real size.

6
Caroline Hemadeh

Yasmina wa essamaka [Yasmina and the fish]
Assala, 2007 ISBN 9953470804

A part of learning Arabic language series. The letter and the sound S
areoften repeated throughout the text.

7
Samah Idriss Yasmin Nachabeh Taan, ill.

Qissat el-Koussa [The History of zucchini]
Dar al-adab li-sighar, n.d. no ISBN

Oussama does not like zucchini, but his mom invented a trick to make him
eat more zucchini. A book that breaks the taboo of using colloquial Arabic
inchildrens book. Illustrations are innovative and feature rich details.

the world through picture books books from lebanon 71


8 Samah Idriss Omar ElKhoury, ill.

Al-malja [The Vault]
Dar al-adab li-sighar, 2005 no ISBN

Mazen tells his life and the lives of his neighbors during the Lebanese
civil war. Their hiding place, itsorganization and how they shared
responsibilities. He also talks about hisfirst love, during the war.

9
Nazek Saba Yared

Fi zel al-Kala [In the shadow of the citadel]
Dar al Kitab al Alami, 2004 ISBN 1552060705

Having lost her parents in an accident, Nada lives with her old
aunt. She
seeks to help her but its very hard for a young girl of her age. An uncle living
in America comes to rescue the family but Nada refuses to leave Lebanon.

10
Nabiha Mihaydli Loujaina |Al Assil, ill.

Ghassan Ummi hiya el Mu allif [Ghassan, my mother, is the author]
Dar al-hadaeq, 2006 ISBN 9953464014

How to write a book? Ghassans mother is a writer, she tells him how
tomake books, from the idea until the printing.
In class, Ghassan is very proud of his mother who wrote the book chosen
bythe teacher.

* Maha Alwa (1962-2012) was the founder and Director of Mtein Library
anda member of the Standing Committee of IFLA Section Libraries
forChildren and Young Adults.

the world through picture books books from lebanon 72


Books from
Contact: Reyna Josvah Rubiaza
reyna.josvah@gmail.com

Madagascar
Each book on the list from Madagascar was chosen for a slightly different
reason. These reasons are included as part of the review of each book.

1
Razanadriaka Vololomampisa Lalao Elina Rivo Randremba, ill.
I Tita sy ny boky [Tita and her book]
Tsipika, 2009 ISBN 978 2 912290 96 0

Tita is a young girl of 3 years old. She does not Tita dia tovovavy kely 2 taona. Tsy mbola mahay
yet know to read. But she already likes to look manoratra izy kanefa efa tia mijery ireo boky natokana
at books for her age. Finally, she can write ho anny ankizy mitovy taona azy. Taty aoriana, mahay
andread books. Tita encourages her friends mamaky teny sy manoratra i Tita. Mamporisika ireo
to read because it helps everybody to develop. namany izy hamaky boky satria manampy ny tsirairay
Herambition when she will be an adult is to hivelatra izany. Ny faniriany rehefa lehibe dia ny
print books for young children. This book was hanonta boky ho anny ankizy kely.
chosen for the quality of its images and the
story itself and especially as promoting reading
is one of IFLAs aims. It provides an opportunity
to encourage young children to continue to
read, especially for undeveloped countries like
Madagascar.

2
Esther R. Randriamamonjy Rainivato Rakotomalala, ill.
I Trimobe sy Fara, vadiny [Trimobe and Fara, his wife]
Trano, 2009

Trimobe is Faras husband. Fara is a young pretty Trimobe no vadini Fara izay tovovavy mbola tanora
girl who serves her husband well. But Trimobe sy tsara tarehy. Manompo tanteraka ny vadiny izy.
isnot only a bad and ugly husband, but he is Saingy, i Trimobe dia sady ratsy tarehy no ratsy
very greedy. He always asks for something to toetra. Fanampinizay, mbola tenda-kanina koa izy.
eat. Hehas finished poultry, pig and duck, but he Tsy mitsahatra ny manontany sakafo hohanina foana
isnever satisfied. Finally, Fara has an idea to get iTrimobe. Notamperiny nohanina daholo ny vorona
rid ofherhusband... syny kisoa tao antrano. Farany moa dia nitady hevitra
This book was chosen because it is one of the i Fara hialna aminy.
famous tales parents often tell to children.
MostMalagasy young people know this story.
We wish to share it with other children around
the world and to show that we have similar
little stories. Thebook shows Malagasy culture
andfashion.

the world through picture books books from madagascar 73


3
Cryber Mananto, Razanadriaka Lalao-Elina Rivo Randremba, ill.
Ikelimahiratra [The little intelligent boy]
Tsipika, 2009 ISBN 978 2 912290 97 7

This book is about a very cute and intelligent Zazalahy kely maranitra sy kinga saina i Ikelimahiratra.
young boy. The King does not believe in the Saingy, tsy mino zany fahaizany sy hakingantsainy
boys intelligence, so he asks him to achieve izany ny Mpanjaka. Indray andro ary, te hitsapa ny
theunachievable like laying an egg. The boy fahaizanIkelimahiratra ny Mpanjaka. Hafetsena anefa
shows the King, that it is never possible to no nampiasainity zazalahy kely. Nasainy nanafina
achieve the unachievable. This book was also atody tany anaty lambany avy ireto lehilahy lehibe
chosen because it is one of the famous tales telo. Dia mody atao hoe mahalatsaka atody toy ny
parents often tell children, and most Malagasy reniakoho izy ireo!, izay zavatra tsy ho tanteraka
young people know it. mihitsy eo aminny olombelona.

4
Alison Jolly, Hantanirina Rasamimanana Deborah Ross, Mlanie Mcelduff, ill.
Tsambiky. Ilay Sifaka Fotsy [Bounce the White Sifaka]
Durell Wildlife Conservation Trust, 2009 ISBN 978 0 955903 4 1

The Sifaka, or the white lemur, likes to bounce. Anisanny gidro lehibe sy mahatalanjona indrindra ny
And it is very funny and wonderful to look at sifaka, milanja 5 hatraminny 8 kilao. Misy karazany
him bouncing to the forest. Lemurs have a maro ny sifaka arakaraky ny ala misy azy: ao ny jobo,
particular voice to talk to each other. Madagascar ao ny mivolom-bitsika misy hetra fotsy, ao ny mainty
is known by its biodiversity. The Great Island lamosina sahala aminny harina fa ny sandry sy ny
(thethird biggest island in the world) is especially ranjo kosa mivolom-boasary. Manana feo mampiavaka
represented bylemurs. Sifaka is one of the azy ny andiana sifaka rehefa hiresaka miaraka, ary feo
biggest and most spectacular lemurs. This book hafa rehefa mikiaka.
can show other young children around the world
how lemurs live in the forest..

5
Razanadriaka V. Lalao-Elina Magnolia Buisson, Patricia Ramahandry, ill.
Ikelimahihitsy tao Ambohitsoa [Ikelimahitsy at Ambohitsoa]
Tsipika, 2010 ISBN 978 2 912290 98 4

The village where the two children lived was Tsara mahafinaritra ny tanna nipetrahani Lema,
abeautiful village. All people who passed there zazalahy kely 9 taona, sy Ikelimahitsy, namany, 7
called it Ambohitsoa, city of happiness. This taona. Ambohitsoa, tannanny fahasambarana no
village was situated in the suburbs of the city. hiantsoanny olona mandalo eo ny tanna misy azy
One day, when the children were playing, a little ireo. Somary mihataka kely ny renivohitra no misy
car passed from the North anAmbohitsoa. Indray andro, nisy fiara avy any
This book was chosen because it tells stories set avaratra nandalo ny tanna
in one of Malagasy landscapes where we can see
the endemic plant Ravinala, also representing
the Great Island. This book isillustrated by
watercolor paintings.

the world through picture books books from madagascar 74


6
Lucie Razafintsalama Rabenjamina Honor Benjamin Andrianifahanana, ill.
Angano! Angano! Contes et Lgendes de Madagascar
[Tales and legends of Madagascar]
Tsipika, 2010 ISBN 978 2 36076 004 6

Madagascar has its own tales and legends. Maro ireo ANGANO navelanny razanny
Inthisbook, the author has especially chosen Malagasy. Lalina ny hefitra fonosinizy ireny fa
tales about nature and animals. The tales in sady hampihomehy sy hahavariana no hananarana
this book recount and perpetuate the history, koa. Nofidiana ireo angano tsotsotra antonona ny
beliefs and customs of the Malagasy ancestors. ankizy. Nangonina avy aminny lafy valonny Nosy izy
They contain profound ideas, to entertain and ireo. Manana ny toerany lehibe eo aminny angano
captivate and show Malagasy morality and Malagasy ny olombelona, ny masoandro, ny volana, ny
values. This book isnowadays in Malagasy and kintana, ny rahona ; ary koa ireo karazana biby maro
French languages. tahaka ny sahona, voalavo, omby, lambo voay

7
Esther R. Randriamamonjy Rainivato Rakotomalala, ill.
Te hianatra I Bota sy Kinga [Bota and Kinga want to go to school]
FLM, 2010 ISBN 978 2 36076 004 6

Kinga and Bota are Mamys cat and dog. Kinga sy Bota dia saka sy alikani Mamy, zazavavy kely
Mamyisa little girl of 7 years old. She goes vao 7 taona monja. Rehefa mandeha any antsekoly i
to school andher animals envy her and want Mamy dia te hanaraka azy ireo bibiny ireo. Mitantara
to follow her to school. The book tells Bota araka izany famisavisani Bota sy Kinga ny mety ho
and Kingas journey in imagining what school, fiaianany any antsekoly: tahaka ny ahoana izany
reading, listening and learning good manners mamaky teny sy manoratra izany, ary mianatra ireo
inlife is like. (Kinga means quick, and Bota fomba tsara eo aminny fiaraha-monina.
large) The author published many books like
this for young Malagasy children. These books are
simple to read and to be understood and deserve
to be included in this list from Madagascar.

8
Marie Michle Rakotoanosy Soimanga, ill.
Maria. Vakansy any Alaotra [Marie and her holidays in Alaotra]
Jeunes Malgaches, 2005

Maria is a girl who has a different childhood I Maria dia vavimatoa ary manana zandry efatra,
because she does not live with her parents. vavy telo ary lahy iray. Any Antananarivo any aminny
Shehas to study in town. However, when the rahavavin-dreniny i Maria sy ny zandriny vaviaivo
school year ends in June, she returns toher Domoina no mipetraka mandritra ny taom-pianarana.
parents for her holidays. Many young Malagasy Rehefa andro fialan-tsasatra vao mody any aminny
people study in town. Most of Malagasy localities ray aman-dreniny. Faly ery izy mirahavavy fa tapitra
or regions have still a lack of infrastructure. ny taom-pianarana ka handeha hiala sasatra any
Soparents have to send their children to study in Alaotra, toerana hipetrahanireo Ray aman-dreniny,
town. The book shows the difference of the two izay toerana mamokatra vary be indrindra eto
ways of living, in town andinthecountryside. Madagasikara.

the world through picture books books from madagascar 75


9
Joseph Betalata Patou, ill.
Lasa mpiandry omby i direktera
Tsipika Editions & Dika Printy, 2002 ISBN 978 2 36076 000 8

This book (for junior children) tells the story of Tao aminny sekoly iray Analanjozoro no niasa i
abird called Vorompotsy (white bird) who is the Vorompotsy. Izy no Direktera tao. Ao aminio sekoly
director of a primary school. One of the students io no mianatra ny zanaki Ramalona atao hoe
is the frog, an intelligent student who practices Sahomailaka. Anisanny zaza azo lazaina fa mba
French language whereas Vorompotsy teaches mahiratriratra i Sahomailaka. Tena manavanana azy
inMalagasy. He is impatient to teach ny miteny frantsay. Saingy tsy manampaharetana
The zebu is part of Malagasy culture. It is in our I Vorompotsy mampianatra manisa aminny teny
society and represents many things. This book Malagasy ani Sahomailaka ka niafara taminny
shows also that Malagasy society opens to other fikapohana azy izany.
cultures, for instance using foreign language
and transforming it in Malagasy (like Direktera
which comes from Directeur in French.

10 Genevive Ramakavelo Nicolas Randrianarisoa, ill.


Haja sy Hasina [Haja and Hasina]
Megaprint, 2011 ISBN 978 2 917367 25 4

This book tells Haja and Hasinas journey. Mitantara ny fiainani Haja sy Hasina ny boky. Milalao
Theyplay in the garden every morning. eo anjaridaina matetika izy mianadahy kely ary niafara
Buttheyfinally spoil the flowers. taminny fanimbana ny voninkazo.
As Malagasy primary and secondary schools
are bilingual (French and Malagasy), most of
Malagasy authors try to print their book in those
languages. This book shows not only how Haja
and Hasina play in the garden, but is also a kind
of guide for young children to learn about their
general culture.

the world through picture books books from madagascar 76


Books from
Contact: Viviana Quinones
viviana.quinones@bnf.fr

Mali
These books were chosen by librarians of the Childrens Library in the
CentreNational de la Lecture Publique National Centre for Public Reading
in Bamako: Head childrens librarian Abdoulaye Doumbia, and the Director
ofthe Centre, Siaka Coulibaly, and by Viviana Quiones.

1
Moussa Konat Aly Zorom ill.
La Fileuse [The Spinster]
Le Figuier, 2003 ISBN: 978-2-84258-081-0

Published in a series on traditional crafts, Publi dans une collection consacre aux mtiers
together with The Potter, The Dyer, The Weaver, traditionnels, avec La Potire, La Fileuse, La
The Miners of the desert, this large picture book Tenturire, Le Tisserand, Les Mineurs du dsert,
shows the spinsters work. The reader follows cebel album montre le travail de la fileuse. Nous suivons
her different tasks, from the purchase of cotton ses diverses taches depuis le moment o elle se rend
flowers in the market to the delivery of reels to au march pour acheter les fleurs de coton, jusqu
the weaver. Every successive task is clearly and la remise au tisserand des bobines de fils. Lestaches
simply depicted in a double-page illustration successives sont clairement et simplement dcrites par
anda short text describing tools and gestures lillustration en double page et un texte trs simple en
inacolloquial manner. cursive dcrivant les outils, les gestes sur un ton familier.

2
Ina Keta Karim Diallo, ill.
Des jambes pour Aliou [Legs for Aliou]
Donniya, 2006 ISBN 978-2-911741-41-8

What an adventure! Tidiane and Djnba have Quelle aventure! Tidiane et Djnba ont dcid de
decided to take care of Aliou, a disabled boy. prendre en charge Aliou, un enfant handicap. Une
Thanks to their support, Aliou can start attending belle entreprise de solidarit qui mnera lenfant sur
school. A very good story set in the city of Bamako, le chemin de lcole, avec pour cadre Bamako, rendue
very well depicted in Karim Diallos full page bien prsente par les illustrations couleur pleine page
illustrations. Three other stories with the same de Karim Diallo sur chaque page de gauche. Trois
characters in Les Aventures de Tidiane etDjnba. autres aventures avec les mmes personnages dans
LesAventures de Tidiane et Djnba.

3
Modibo Sidibe Svetlana Amegankpo, ill.
LEpope de Soundjata: daprs la tradition orale malink
[Sundiata Epic: from Malinke oral tradition]
ISBN 978-2-911741-42-5

Sundiata Keita, founder of the Empire of Mali in Soundjata Keta, fondateur de lEmpire du Mali au XIIIe
the XIII century, is undoubtedly the most popular sicle est sans doute le personnage historique le plus
historical figure of West Africa. In addition to its populaire en Afrique de lOuest. Cette remarquable
introductory page and the essentials of the tale dition malienne en album grand format prsente le
itself, this remarkable Malian large picture book grand intrt, outre la page dintroduction historique
has the big advantage of being richly illustrated et le rcit mme dans ses grands traits, dtre
by S. Amegankpo, with great historical accuracy. richement illustr par S. Amegankpo avec un rel
By the same author and illustrator, the excellent souci documentaire. Par le meme auteur et la meme
La Lgende du Ouagadou-Bida. illustratrice, lexcellent La Lgende du Ouagadou-Bida.

the world through picture books books from mali 77


4
Moussa Konat, Aly Zorom, ill.
Tombouctou [Timbuktu]
Le Figuier, 2006 ISBN 978-2-84258-096-4

Tombouctou, as well as Djenn and Le Pays Dogon Tombouctou, comme Djenn et Le Pays Dogon
published in the same series, make children dans la mme collection, propose aux jeunes enfants
discover, in an adapted, simple, attractive way, une dcouverte adapte, simple et sduisante de
cultures and places that UNESCO has included ces cultures et de ces lieux classs par lUNESCO au
inits World Heritage List. Tombouctou begins patrimoine mondial de lhumanit.
with a map and historical information on this Tombouctou dmarre avec une carte et quelques
city ofthe desert, known all over the world since rappels historiques sur cette cit du dsert, connue
the 14th century. Illustration takes a large place; du monde entier ds le xive sicle. Une place trs
it is full ofsignificant details that the simple text abondante est donne lillustration, pleine de dtails
takes up, inviting the reader to watch and explain significatifs repris par un texte trs simple qui invite,
them. Architecture, crafts, feasts, drought The dans une dmarche pdagogique directe, observer
past and the present are linked naturally. ce que dit limage et lexpliciter. Architecture, savoir-
faire, ftes, scheresse... Pass et prsent se relient
tout naturellement.

5
Isabelle Revol
Cadou [Cadou]
Donniya, 2009 ISBN 978-99952-0-048-0

The beautiful yellow shades of the cover make Un album que la couverture aux belles couleurs jaunes
one want to open this picture book. And one donne aussitt envie douvrir. Et on nest pas du.
is not disappointed. The illustration, pretty and Lillustration, jolie et originale, avec sa technique
original, in collages of tissue and paper, tells in a de collages, en tissu et papier, raconte, sous un air
childlike way the hard story that so many women enfantin, une histoire dure qui est celle de tant de
live, in Africa and elsewhere. Cadou, an African femmes en Afrique et ailleurs. Cadou, une mre
mother, leaves her children to work far away for africaine, part travailler loin de ses enfants pendant
many years, so that the children can eat properly de longues annes pour quils aient de quoi manger
and can go to school. Her suffering from being etpuissent aller lcole. Sa souffrance dtre spare
separated from them is constant, as is their deux est constante, comme leur prsence dans son
presence in her heart. Almost chanted, the text coeur. Presque scand, le texte va lessentiel et
goes to the essential and renders, at child level, transmet, hauteur denfant, avec pudeur, le ressenti
with restraint, Cadous heart-rending feelings. dchirant de Cadou. Son sacrifice sera rcompens,
Agreat book. dans une fin apaisante. Un grand livre.

6 Halima Hamdane Isabelle Calin ill.


Sarraounia, la reine magicienne du Niger [Sarraounia, Nigers magician Queen]
Cauris, 2004 ISBN 978-2-914605-13-7

Told simply to young children, the life of the A la porte des jeunes enfants, simplement raconte,
beautiful Sarraounia, born in present-day Niger lavie de la belle Sarraounia ne au Niger la fin
at the end of 19th century. The daughter of a du xixe sicle. Fille du roi dune peuple dorigine
Haoussa king, she was soon initiated to magic haoussa, trs tt initie la magie et au maniement
and to hunting and war weapons. She was des armes de chasse et de guerre, elle est reconnue
recognized by her neighbour enemies as a dans des conflits avec ses voisins comme une
formidable warrior, but she mostly distinguished redoutable guerrire, mais surtout elle sillustrera
herself in the resistance to the European dans la rsistance au conqurant europen. Une
conquerors. Good illustrations and some belle illustration bien servie par la mise en page et
historical information complete this portrait of quelques repres historiques compltent ce portrait
a great heroine of Niger. Published in the Lucy dune grande hrone du Niger. Ce livre fait partie de
series of biographies of Black outstanding figures. la collection Lucy debiographies de personnages
dumonde noir.

the world through picture books books from mali 78


7
Marlne Anna Amegankpo Svetlana Amegankpo, ill.
Petit Poussin veut grandir [Little Chicken wants to grow up]
Donniya, 2009 ISBN 99952-0-054-6

A picture book on an universal question: every Cet album nous offre lhistoire dun problme universel:
childs wish to grow up and surpass his father le dsir que tout enfant nourrit de devenir grand sur
or his mother. This is Little Chicks wish. Hell le champ et de surpasser son pre ou sa mre. Cest
have to endure some setbacks before learning aussi le souhait de Petit Poussin. Il lui faudra essuyer
patience and finding himself, one day, almost as quelques dconvenues avant dapprendre la patience
beautiful ashis father. Svetlana Amegankpos pour se dcouvrir enfin, le jour venu, presque aussi
humoristic drawings show a terribly expressive beau que son coq de pre. Le dessin humoristique
chicken curious, tender, ridiculous, sad or de Svetlana Amegankpo nous offre un poussin
impatient. Images are as colourful as a backyard terriblement expressif tour tour curieux, tendre,
poultry, asjoyous and lively as the story. ridicule, triste ou impatient. Le dessin est color,
limage de la basse-cour, gai et enlev, comme
cettehistoire.

8
Ousmane Diarra Massar Tounkara, ill.
La Princesse capricieuse [The Capricious Princess]
Balanis, 2006

A version of the well-known story of the girl Une version du conte bien connu de la jeune fille
who puts an impossible condition on her qui met une condition impossible son mariage.
marriage. This time, it is because she likes Cette fois-ci, parce quelle aime trop largent etveut
money too much and wishes to get rich thanks senrichir sur le dos des prtendants Ltre quelle
to her suitors The man she marries is in fact pouse finalement se rvle tre un python, et
a python, but with the help of her sister who ce nest quavec laide de sa petite sur qui a des
has witch powers she escapes her husband and pouvoirs de sorcire quelle chappera son mari
goes back home. Thetext by Ousmane Diarra, et retournera chez elle. Le texte dOusmane Diarra,
writer and storyteller, flows nicely; expressive, crivain et conteur, coule avec la fluidit de sa parole;
colourful illustrations are as lively as the text. les illustrations expressives, colores, soulignent la
The story is told in French and in Bambara in vivacit du texte. Le texte est racont en franais
theaccompanying audio cassette. etenbambara dans une cassette audio.

9
Moulaye et Zakaria Traor Nafogo Coulibaly, ill. Ismala Samba Traor, adapt.
Nabi mon frre
La Sahlienne, 2010 ISBN 978-99952-54-14-8

The protective and affectionate relationship La relation protectrice et affectueuse dun garonnet
between a young boy and his toddler brother. envers un petit frre qui tient tout juste sur ses
Abrief, simple text; illustration somewhat jambes. Un texte court, simple; des illustrations dont
clumsy and nave, but with a certain charm la maladresse et la navet ne sont pas dnues dun
stages the two boys in a relationship of play and charme particulier, met en scne les deux enfants dans
laughter but also of education that works well une relation de jeu, de rire, mais aussi d ducation,
beyond language. And to grow up, nothing better qui passe bien au-del du langage. Et pour grandir,
than good stories The Father is kindly asked to quoi de mieux que de belles histoires couter? Lepre
bring back, from Bamako marketpicture books! est ainsi gentiment somm, lorsquil ira au march
Links between children are finely depicted, and de Bamako, de rapporter des livres avec des images!
the message is touching and lively. Some small Une juste observation en finesse des liens entre
punctuation and orthographic problems are to enfants et un message touchant et plein de vitalit.
beregretted. Dommage pour les petits problmes de ponctuation
etdorthographe...

All book reviews are adapted from those published in the journalTakam Tikou,
http://takamtikou.bnf.fr

the world through picture books books from mali 79


Books from
Contact: P Hauroo
natlib@intnet.mu

Mauritius
Ten illustrated titles from different Mauritian authors were selected and
the hope is that these titles will help project the new generation of our local
writers and illustrators on the international scene.

1
Pushpa Lallah Bernadette Mok Tsze Chung, ill.
Marde so Zardin Mardes garden [Mardes garden]
Federation of Pre-school playgroups, 1999 ISBN 9990361061

Marde is a gardener; he wears a hat, has Marde li enn zardinier. Li ena enn zoli zardin. Enn
amoustache and comes to work by bicycle. zurenn grup zanfan al vizit so Zardin, zot poz li buku
Hisgarden was very beautiful. One day a group kestion lors so zardin. Marde repon ban zanfan la
of children come to visit his garden and asks
himwhy he has put a fence around his garden.
He tells them how, after working so hard in his
garden, the dogs came and crushed all his plants,
so he had to protect the garden.
Bilingual Creole-English.

2
Amarnath Hosany Thierry Permal, ill.
Le Paradis des oiseaux [Birds paradise]
Bartholdi, 2007 ISBN 9789990386097

An island was inhabited by different kinds invaded the island and made their paradise into
oftropical birds staying together in harmony. hell. Hopefully, theyrealised their mistake and
The island was filled with vegetation and fruit could get out ofthe hell with the help of the
trees. When the fruits were ripe, they attracted neighbouring islands birds.
the bats but the birds did their best to protect
their island. The bats stayed in the nearby island. Le Paradis des Oiseaux est un conte pour enfants,
A bat was sent to spy, but it was ill. Thebirds avecune histoire captivante. Laction volue dans
took care of it. When the bat recovered, un dcor exotique, mettant engarde toute une
itinfluenced each group of birds and divided population, qui vivait jusque-l enparfaite harmonie,
them to break their strength. Then the bats contre le danger de la division.

3
D. Vina Balgobin Madvee Armoogum Sundhoo, ill.
Our musical instruments: history of the Republic of Mauritius
Dehoutee Balgobin, 2009 ISBN 9789990341584

The first Frenchmen arrived in 1715. The French lands. In 1810, there was a naval war and the
people used many musical instruments in their French gave up the island to the British. In 1835,
parties. Slaves and indentured labourers came there was abolition of slavery. Many types of
to Mauritius and worked on the sugar estates. instruments used by slaves, Indian immigrants
They came from different countries of the world and Chinese were introduced to the island.
and enjoyed the music and songs of their native

the world through picture books books from mauritius 80


4
Amarnath Hosany Thierry Permal, ill.
Contes de Noel [Stories for Christmas]
Bartholdi, 2005 ISBN 9990386056

Letter to Father Christmas is the story of a feeling of satisfaction and joy upon its realisation.
postman who had a difficult childhood. Thus On that day, he even believed in the magic
he never believed in Father Christmas. On his ofChristmas.
last day at work, he met a little girl from a poor
village, who pleaded with him to write a letter Le livre contient deux histoires. La premire intitule
to Father Christmas on her behalf. It can be seen La Lettre du Pre Nol et la seconde Et si le Coq
in the story, that the determination with which ne Chantait pas. Dans ces contes, lauteur invite
the postman tried to fulfil the dream of that little sesjeunes lecteurs rver.
girl and all the children of that village and the

5 Alain Gordon Gentil Henry Koombes, ill.


Mystre la Citadelle [Mystery at the Citadelle]
Vizavi, 2001 ISBN 9990337268

The Citadelle is an ancient fortress inPort-Louis, room. Many other good picture books featuring
the capital of Mauritius. In the colonial period, Tikoulou, illustrated by Henri Koombes.
soldiers were living there and guarded the port
against intruders. Tikoulou likes the place very
much as he can see the whole city and play with Cest lhistoire de Tikoulou qui vient passer quelques
his friend and cousin during the summer holiday. jours de vacances de Nol chez son cousin Gromarto.
They hear about the mysterious disappearance Tikoulou passe des moments agrables Port-Louis
of bicycles and plan to catch the thief. They go etaime aller jouer La Citadelle, une ancienne
tothe Citadelle to execute their plan and luckily forteresse o vivaient les soldats lpoque o lIle
they find the stolen bicycles hidden in a dark Maurice tait une colonie anglaise.

6
Shenaz Patel Joelle Maestracci, ill.
La Toile bleue [The blue cloth]
Vilaz metis, 2010 ISBN 9789990338287

A little girl sat in front of the sea and wanted to Cest une fable, que lauteur a nourrie dans son
animate the dull, big blue cloth in front of her. She imaginaire potique. Une petite fille contemple la mer
stood up, approached the water and grabbed the et le ciel. Une toile bleue, trop immobile a son got,
blue cloth with both hands. The sea came with her qui va cependant sanimer dune vie particulire quand
followed by the sky. She put the cloth todry on elledcide de la dcrocher pour lpingler sur une
a wire. People were very angry about her action corde linge.
but were surprised to see garbage falling from the
cloth. Finally, the cloth became clean and white.

7
Centre Nelson Mandela pour la Culture Africaine Stanley Harmon, ill.
Zistoir Ze ek Melia: lepok esklavaz moris 1834
[Story of Ze and Melia: slavery period Mauritius 1834]
Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture, 2006 ISBN 9990310122

It is a story about Ze and Melia, brother and Ze ek Melia zot 2 zenfan esklav. Gras a zot creativite
sister during the slave period. They had to ek imazination zot resi sap depi lenfer system esklavaz.
wake up early in the morning and go to work.
Meliaworked as helper and Ze as Cartwright.
They worked till late and did not have time
to play. They had to wait for their lunch time
to play butwere scolded and beaten by their
masters. In Creole.

the world through picture books books from mauritius 81


8
Shakuntala Halwoldar Priska, Shaoling & Clarel, ill.
Stories for Moksha: adapted for parents
Cathay, 1999 ISBN 9990341133

The book consists of stories which are narrated convey messages which centre around the
by a grandmother (author) to her grand-child, family and core values and end with reflections
Moksha. Moksha is 4 years old. The author has to for thought. The author believes that each story
go to her world to narrate her stories. The stories should be a source of inspiration for parents.

9
Sedley Richard Assonne Catherine Servan-Schreiber, ill.
Tizann [Medicinal plants]
Editions de la Tour, 2006 ISBN 999492219X

A little girl was named Tizann (medicinal plant) Tizann est une petite fille qui aide sa mre dans la
by her aunt as Tizanns mother used to sell vente des plantes mdicinales. Un jour elle va la
medicinal plants. Tizann helped her mother Plaine Champagne pour la cueillette des feuilles
before going to school. As Tizann was familiar mdicinales en compagnie de son amie, Yann. Elles
with the medicinal plants, her mother asked taient proccupes dans leurs tches et ne se
her to gather some medicinal plants from the souciaient pas de la tombe de la nuit. Elles staient
forest. She was accompanied by her friend Yann. gares et cest Ton Singaron, un chasseur qui les
Theytook the bus to Plaine Champagne. They aaides rentrer chez elles.
were so busy in the forest that they did not
notice the night and had to sleep in the forest.
Ton Singaron, a hunter helped them reach
homesafely. In Creole.

10
Meeteelah Devi Purmah Karishma Devi Purmah, ill.
Have you ever imagined? From human to alien
Woochit, 2008

The story is about the consequences that wecansave our planet and we do not end up
human beings may face in the future. So before being named Aliens, Aliens with numbers.
it is toolate, let us all reduce pollution so that

the world through picture books books from mauritius 82


Books from the
Contact: Ingrid Bon
ingrid.bon@biblioservice.nl

Netherlands
The National Childrens Librarian Council requested all contacts within
thetwelve provinces to send their favourite 2 titles.

1
Rindert Kromhout van der Meer Annemarie van Haeringen, ill.
Kleine Ezel en jarige Jakkie [Little Dunkey and the birthday present]
Leopold, 2001 ISBN 978 90 258 3067 0

Lovely story about Little Dunkey who buys a Lief verhaal over Kleine Ezel die een verjaardagscadeay
birthday present for his friend Jakkie. It is very koopt voor zijn vriendje Jakkie. Omdat het erg moeilijk
difficult to give such a lovely present away so is om zon mooi cadeau weg te geven verzint hij allerlei
he tries lots of excuses. Luckily his mother has smoezen. Maar gelukkig heeft zij moeder een hele
agood solution. goede oplossing.

2
Annemarie van Haeringen
De prinses met de lange haren [The long-haired princess]
Leopold, 1999 ISBN 9789025836085

A princess is not allowed to cut her hair. Finally Een prinses mag haar haren niet afknippen. Uiteindelijk
she needs to be carried around because of the moet ze overal naar toe gedragen worden omdat
weight of her hair. A strong man from the circus hethaar veel te zwaar geworden is. Een sterke man
is her assistant. When she grows up a lot of uit het circus is haar assistant. Als ze volwassen wordt
young men with golden brushes want to marry dingen veel mooie jonge en rijke mannen om haar
her but she chooses love over money. hand maar ze verkiest liefde boven geld en trouwt
methaarcircusman.

3
Max Velthuijs
Kikker is kikker [Frog is frog]
Leopold, 1996 ISBN 9789025860202

Frog feels sad because all his friends have Kikker voelt zich verdrietig omdat al zijn vriendjes
something special and he is just green. Great iets specials Hebben of kunnen. Kikker is alleen
story about self acceptance and friendship. maar groen. Prachtig verhaal over zelfbewustzijn
envriendschappen.

the world through picture books books from the netherlands 83


4
The Tjong Khing
Waar is de taart? [Where is the Cake?]
Lannoo, 2004 ISBN 9789020956924

Two little rats steal a pie. A wild chase is the Twee kleine ratten stelen een tart. Een wilde
result. Finally the pie falls into a pond and a achtervolging is het resultaat. Uiteindelijk valt de taart
frog saves it. Everybody gets a piece except for in een vijver en een kikker redt hem. Iedereen krijgt
the two little thieves. Great large picture book een stukje behalve de twee kleine dieven. Prachtig
without words but a huge amount ofdetails and groot formaat prentenboek zonder woorden maar
jokes in the illustrations. met een enorme hoeveelheid details en grapjes in de
tekeningen.

5 Dieter Schubert
Monkie [Monkey]
Lemniscaat, 1986 ISBN 9789060696408

A young boy loses his toy monkey. The story tells Een klein jongetje verliest zijn knuffel aapje. Het
the adventures of the toy and how the young boy verhaalt vertelt de belevenissen van het aapje en
is re-united with his toy again. Great picture book hoe het jongetje zijn aapje weer terugvindt. Mooi
without words. Lovely full-colour illustrations will prentenboek zonder woorden. Prachtige full colour
plenty of detail. illustraties boordevol details.

6
Lida Dijkstra Marije Tolman, ill.
Schattig [Cute]
Lemniscaat, 2006 ISBN 9789056378615

Rabbit Tijn does not want to be cute! He wants Konijn Tijn wil niet langer schattig zijn! Hij wil sterk
to be tough, strong, andhaveatattoo and endapper zijn, neemt een tattoo en een piercing, maar
piercings but will that help? of dat helpt?

7 Sylvia van den Heede The Tjong King, ill.


Wat een kou, Vos en Haas! [Isnt it cold, Fox and Hare!]
Lannoo, 2009 ISBN 9789020984101

It is a very cold winter so what do you do? Make Het is een erg koude winter duswat ga je doen? Een
a snowman and lots ofothers things. Very large sneeuwpop maken en een heleboel andere tupische
picture book, ideal for group presentations. winterspelletjes. Extra groot prentenboek dat zich
bijzonder goed leent voor groepspresentaties.

the world through picture books books from the netherlands 84


8
Hans de Beer
Ijsbeer in de tropen [Little Polar Bear]
De Vier Windtreken, 1987 ISBN 9789055791859

A little polar bear drifts out to sea and floats to Een kleine ijsbeer verdwaalt op 33 en drijft naar de
the tropics. tropen.

9
Imme Dros Harrie Geelen, ill.
Het boek van Ella [The book about Ella]
Querido, 2011 ISBN 9789045112763

Several stories about a toddler with a very strong Enkele korte verhaaltjes over peuter Ella, met haar
opinion of her own. Stories about daily life and eigen mening. Dagelijkse belevenissen en emoties
the emotions Ella is facing. dieElla beleeft en ervaart.

10
Karel Eykman Patsy Backx, ill.
De K van Kasper
De Harmonie, 2008 ISBN 9789061698470

Five stories about a very normal boy who is also Vijf korte verhaaltjes over een jongen die heel
very special. ergnormal is maar ook heel heel erg bijzonder.

the world through picture books books from the netherlands 85


Books from
Contact: Virginia Dike
virginiadike@gmail.com

Nigeria
Books from Nigeria were selected by Virginia W Dike against the criteria
setfor the project. These are exacting criteria for picture books in a country
like Nigeria, which has published few picture books and fewer of good quality.
Moreover, there is little tradition of keeping books in print. For this reason, it
was difficult to completely meet some criteria. It is difficult to talk of classics,
and those one might consider are unlikely to still be in print. I have included
one older title (at the end) that is still available.The content (text, illustration,
message) of these are of high quality, though the physical quality in some
cases is less so. The others are very recent titles and are by one of two new
Nigerian publishers producing picture books of high quality, including high
physical quality: Cassava Republic and Farafina.The selection may seem
lopsided, but this is what is currently available. It may also be surprising that
all titles are in English, but this is another Nigerian reality. Very few childrens
books are published in Nigerian languages. I have listed the titles in order of
year of publication, beginning with the most recent.

1
Virginia W. Dike Robin Gowen, ill.
Birds of Our Land: A Childs Guide to West African Birds
Cassava Republic, 2011 (Rev. ed.) ISBN 978-978-9060-900

Poetic descriptions and vivid illustrations introduce to lead children beyond the content of the book
children to 25 notable birds of West Africa, both to a lifetime of scientific awareness and discovery.
common ones and more unusual species.The The book is envisaged as the first title in a nature
book is designed to encourage careful observation, series focusing on West Africa.
scientific inquiry and appreciation of the natural Originally published in 1986 by Fourth Dimension
world. It begins with an introduction to birds Publishers ofEnugu, an early leader in picture
that brings out basic features and hints on how book publication, with different illustrations
to observe birds and ends with activities intended bythe same artist

2
Lola Shoneyin Francis Blake, ill.
Mayowa and the Masquerades
Cassava Republic, 2010 ISBN 978-978-48518-8-6

Mayowa is reluctant to leave his computer the dancing that they temporarily lose their
games to join his parents on a trip to visit Granny way, but all ends well.Finally a tired but happy
in a village in Western Nigeria. However, Granny Mayowa is on his way home, now convinced that
teams him up with a neighbor boy who shows the village offers even more excitement than his
Mayowa the sights, including a festival of colorful room in the city.
masquerades. The two are so carried away with

the world through picture books books from nigeria 86


3
Simidele Dosekun Rosalie-Ann Modder, ill.
Beem Explores Africa
Farafina, 2009 ISBN 978-978-079-003-9

In this vividly illustrated introduction to the She explores ancient places in Egypt, Mali and
African continent, a young girl, Beem, guides Zimbabwe; the modern cities of Cairo, Lagos
readers in exploring a varied geography of andJohannesburg; rivers, lakes and mountains;
cities and cultures, wildlife and landscapes. rain forests, savannah and deserts.

4
Ifeoma Okoye Segun Adejumo, ill.
Only Bread for Eze
Farafina, 2009 ISBN 978-978-48012-1-8

Eze is so enamored with bread that he wants similar in theme to the American picture book,
to eat nothing else.After repeated refusal to Bread and Jam for Frances.
eat the nutritious and varied dishes prepared Originally published by Fourth Dimension
by his mother, Ezes parents determine to teach Publishers of Enugu in 1980, with different
him a lesson, putting him on a diet of nothing illustrations, this is the best known of threeEze
but bread. He quickly weakens and tires of the books, all originally published by Fourth
monotonous diet, thereby learning his lesson and Dimension in 1980 and in arevised edition
starting to enjoy other food as well. This book is byFarafina in 2009.

5
Fatima Akilu Alexander Amulu, ill.
Kitwa Plays the Drums
Cassava Republic, 2009 ISBN 978-978-903-751-3

This and the next three titles are in a series treatment is just the way things are.However,
of eight books highlighting the Millennium things change when the family visits cousins who
Development Goals.In this title Kitwa is a girl take a very different view.There, everyone joins
thoroughly fed up with the favored treatment in the housework and plays musical instruments.
received by her brother.Kitwas mother and A family band is formed, with Kitwa playing
grandmother pronounce her dream of playing the drums and her grandmother realizing her
the drums unladylike and say differential childhood dream of playing the flute.

6
Fatima Akilu Alexander Amulu, ill.
Preye and the Sea of Plastic
Cassava Republic, 2009 ISBN 978-978-48943-8-8

Preye is completely upset over the rubbish taking they research and produce a film that is shown
over the environment around him, especially all over the country and begins to effect changes
discarded plastic bags.He determines to do in their community and beyond.It even takes
something about it and together he and his them to meet the President and to realize that
friends mobilize to raise awareness.Together they too might one day lead the country.

the world through picture books books from nigeria 87


7
Fatima Akilu Mustapha Bulama, ill.
Aliyyah Learns a New Dance
Cassava Republic, 2009 ISBN 978-978-48943-9-5

In this title centering on developing global toparticipation in an international competition


partnerships, Aliyyah enters a regional in Sweden.Withthesupport of her brother
dance competition. With helpful hints and classmates, and indeed the entire nation,
and encouragement from her brother, shetieswith a Serbian girl for first place and the
she perfects her steps and wins at the two arerewarded with exchange visits to each
African regional level in Tanzania.This leads others countries.

8 Chinua Achebe and John Iroaganachi, with The Lament Of The Deer by Christopher
Okigbo Adrienne Kennaway (1979, Nwamife Ed. and 1989 East African
Educational Publishers), Mary Grandpre (2011, Candlewick Press in US), ill.
How the Leopard Got its Claws
Nwamife, 1972, 1979 ISBN 978-124-007-5 East African Publishing House, 1976 East African
Educational Publishers, 1989 Candlewick Press, 2011 ISBN 978-9966463647 and9780763648053

Previous edition: Originally published by other until the dog spoils this peaceable kingdom.
Nwamife, Enugu, one of the first indigenous With his sharp teeth, he seizes control, drives
Nigerian publishers, in 1972 with black and white out king leopard and soon has the fickle animals
illustrations by Per Christiansen and in 1979 with singing his praises.Disillusioned, the leopard
coloured illustrations by Adrienne Kennaway. goes in search of weapons that will enable him
This edition is available only in occasional old to regain his kingdomsharp teeth and claws
stock, but there have been later editions, in and a terrifying roar. He succeeds but ever
Nigeria, Kenya and the United States, that are after rules by force, while the dog becomes the
still in print. In this tragic mythic tale of a world servant of man. The 1979 edition had evocative
gone wrong, kind king leopard rules without impressionistic illustrations, but those in the new
force and the animals co-operate with each edition appear computer-generated.

the world through picture books books from nigeria 88


Books from
Contact: Leikny Haga Indergaard
leikny@bergen.folkebibl.no

Norway
The Norwegian Library Associations Section for Children and Young Adults
co-operated with Norwegian IFLA members on this project inourcountry.
The project was announced with information and publicity in Norwegian
library and literature periodicals, on the internet via blogs and discussion-
groups for librarians and people interested in literature. Childrens librarians
sent their suggestions to the Norwegian Library Association, and more than
100 picture books were nominated.
The final list of picture books consists of titles that both met the IFLA criteria
and got the largest number of votes. The librarians say that these books are
excellent stories to promote in their work with story-telling for children
inkindergarten and primary schools. These books are highly recommended
bythe librarians, and we are proud to send this list to an international
selection of the worlds best picture-books.

1
Bjrn F. Rrvik Gry Moursund, ill.
Bukkene Bruse p badeland [The Billy Goats Gruff in Waterworld]
Cappelen Damm, 2010 ISBN 9788202295882

One day the three Billy Goats Gruff set off to En dag de tre Bukkene Bruse skal til seters gjre seg
the hills. Suddenly they notice a sign that shows fete, ser de plutselig et skilt som viser vei til Badeland.
them the way to Waterworld. Ohhh, please! hh, please! sier den minste Bukken Bruse. Han vil
begs the littlest Billy Goat Gruff. He would rather mye heller dra p Badeland denne sommeren. Da
go to Waterworld this summer. And then we trenger vi jo ikke g over brua. Det er s skummelt
dont have to cross the bridge either. Its so med det trollet, sier den mellomste Bukken Bruse.
scary with that troll says the youngest goat. Den strste Bukken Bruse lar seg overtale og de drar
The big Billy Goat Gruff gives in and off they go avgrde til Badeland. Siden de tre Bukkene Bruse ikke
to Waterworld. But when the three Goats dont dukker opp p brua, kommer trollet heller til Badeland,
cross the bridge the troll comes to Waterworld. og trollet er virkelig sint!
And the troll is really angry!

the world through picture books books from norway 89


2
Stian Hole Stian Hole, ill.
Garmanns sommer [Garmanns Summer]
Cappelen, 2006 ISBN 9788202259228

Garmann is anxious about starting first grade Garmann gruer seg til begynne i frste klasse. Han
as he is not ready. He cannot cycle, he does er ikke klar: Ikke kan han sykle, han tr ikke stikke
not dare to put his head under water and none hodet under vann og ingen av tennene hans er lse
of his teeth are loose yet. Its urgent school enn. Det haster skolen starer i morgen! Det er siste
starts tomorrow! Its the last day of summer sommerdag og Garmanns tre eldre tanter kommer p
and Garmanns three old aunts come to visit. besk. Garmann oppdager at ogs voksne av og til
Garmann discovers that adults are also scared er redde. Tantene hans er redde for mtte g med
sometimes. His aunts are afraid of having to gstol, for strenge vintre og mtte forlate alt nr
use a walker, harsh winters and of having to dden kommer. Til slutt er ikke Garmann lenger s
leave allbehind when death comes. In the end nervs for begynne p skolen, men han har erfart at
Garmann isnt any less nervous about starting det vre redd er en del av livet.
school, buthe knows anxiety is a part of life.
2007 Bologna Ragazzi Award winner.

3
Lisa Aisato Lisa Aisato, ill.
Odd er et egg [Odd is an egg]
Gyldendal, 2010 ISBN 9788205399204

Imagine that your head is an egg. It can break Tenk deg at hodet ditt er et egg. Som kan knuse nr
any minute. What would PE (Physical Education) som helst. Hvordan tror du gymtimene med ballspill
lessons and ball games be like? How do you think hadde vrt da? Hvordan tror du en tur i kongleskogen
you would enjoy a walk in Pinecone Forest? Or hadde fltes? Eller en sykkeltur i den farlige trafikken?
riding your bike in dangerous traffic? Not much? Ikke noe srlig, nei. Alt dette vet Odd, for hodet hans
7 years old Odd is fully aware of all those things, er nemlig et egg. Hver morgen pakker han det inn med
because his head is an egg. Every morning he hndklr og tevarmere s det ikke skal knuse.. Men s
carefully covers his head in towels to keep it safe. mter Odd Gunn.
Then one day Odd meets Gunn.

4
Gro Dahle Svein Nyhus, ill.
Snill [Nice]
Cappelen, 2002 ISBN 9788202221324

Little sweet Lussie is so nice, so nice. So nice that Lussi er s snill, s snill. S snill at hun en dag
one day she just disappears. No one noticed her: blir borte. Og ikke bare litt borte, men helt
Her mother forgot that she was there. bortebortebortevekk borte. Faktisk helt inn i veggene
Her father forgot that she was there. vekk. Lussi er s stille og snill og flink og ren og pen
The teacher forgot that she was there. at ingen ser henne lenger. Ikke moren, ikke faren, ikke
And all the pupils forgot that she was there. lreren og heller ikke de andre barna. Ikke engang den
When no one sees or hears her, she slips store vaktmesteren kan finne henne
intothewall. Will she ever be able to find the
wayout?
This book received the Brage Prize 2002.

the world through picture books books from norway 90


5
Henrik Hvoland Torill Kov, ill.
Johannes Jensen fler seg annerledes [Johannes Jensen Feels Different]
Cappelen, 2003 ISBN 9788202224462

Johannes Jensen is a crocodile that works in a Johannes Jensen er en krokodille som jobber i
tax office. He feels different and tries to find out skatteetaten. Han fler seg annerledes og prver
why. Could it be that he wears a bow tie? Is he finne ut hvorfor. Kan det vre fordi han broker slyfe?
adopted? Or is it because he has a tail? He ties up Er han adoptert? Eller er det fordi ha har hale? Han
his tail but this leads to trouble balancing. He falls binder halen opp p magen, men det gjr at han fr
and hits himself and ends up at the emergency problemer med balansen. Han faller og slr seg og
ward. There he meets Doctor Fjeld. This is a ender opp p legevakten. Der mter han Doktor Fjeld.
turning point for Johannes Jensen. Det blir et vendepunkt for Johannes Jensen.

6
Tore Renberg yvind Torseter
Gi gass, Ine [Step On It, Ine]
CappelenDamm, 2010 ISBN 9788202325626

This is an imaginative and playful story about Dette er en fantasifull og leken fortelling om ssknene
the siblings Ine and Hasse. Ine is the oldest. She Ine og Hasse. Ine er eldst. Hun har mistet en tann,
has lost one tooth, is light on her feet and tough erlett p foten og tff i hjertet. Hasse er Ines lillebror.
in her heart. Hasse is her baby brother with Han bruker smokk og bleie. Nr Hasse blir spurt om
a pacifier and diapers. Whenever he is asked noe, svarer han enten ja eller traktor. Ine og Hasse
a question, he replies with either a yes or a skal hugge et tre. De tar med seg en ks ut i skogen.
tractor. Ine and Hasse are going to chop down Etter en stund dukker alle dyrene i skogen opp for se
a tree. They bring an axe into the forest. But after hva de gjr. Og s vil alle dyrene bli med dem hjem!
a while all the animals in the forest come out to
watch them. And then the animals want to come
home with them!

7
Trond Brnne Per Dybvig
Venner [Friends]
Aschehoug, 2005 ISBN 9788203246906

Five animals, who live on a farm, decide to get Fem dyr, som alle bor p en bondegrd, bestemmer seg
toknow each other. They invite each other home for bli bedre kjent. De inviterer hverandre hjem til seg
and try to eat each others food. This is a lovely og prver spise hverandres mat. Dette er en skjnn
story which in very few words tells a lot about fortelling som med svrt f ord forteller svrt mye
how friendship works. omvennskap og hvordan det fungerer.

8
Kari Stai
Jakob og Neikob [Yesper and Noper]
Samlaget, 2008 ISBN 9788252170870

Jakob and Neikob live together and are good Jakob og Neikob er to gode venner som bur i lag, men
friends even though they are very different. Jacob dei er veldig forskjellige. For mens Jakob seier JA til alt,
says YES to everything and Neikob says NO. Hey seier Neikob NEI til alt. Hei, Neikob! Du seier vel ikkje
Neikob. You wouldnt say no to a road trip? NO, nei til ein biltur? Nei, svarar Neikob. P vegen mter
responds Neikob. On the road they meet a thief! dei ein tjuv. Han tar muffinsen deira og seier han har
He takes their muffins and says he wants to steal tenkt stele bilen deira g. Ja, svarar Jakob, litt for
their car. Yes, replies Jacob, a little too fast. After fort. Etter fleire tankelause svar, endar dei opp som
several thoughtless YES answers, they end up krokodillemat. Vil dei nokosinne greie komme seg ut
being swallowed as crocodile food. Will they ever av magen til krokodilla?
be able to escape from the crocodiles stomach?

the world through picture books books from norway 91


9
Tor ge Bringsvrd Thore Hansen, ill.
Ruffen, sjormen som ikke kunne svmme
[Ruffen, the sea serpent who couldnt swim]
Gyldendal, 2005 (1st ed. 1977) ISBN 9788205313255

This is a timeless story about Ruffen who is Dette er en tidls historie om Ruffen, sjromen som
anoutsider and cannot swim and play with ikke kunne svmme. Han sitter alene og er aldri
theother young sea serpents. He is in fact afraid med de andre sjormene og leker. Han har faktisk
of water. Ruffen is afraid of water, but when vannskrekk. Men da Ruffen hjelper Blekkspruten 1030
the Octopus becomes stuck, Ruffen helps free komme ls fra der han har satt seg fast, lrer 1030
him and in return the Octopus teaches him ham svmme. Ruffen blir etter hvert den beste
toswim. Ruffen becomes the best sea serpent sjormen til svmme. Nr et stort skip kommer
at swimming, and when a ship is wrecked in ihavsnd, er det kun Ruffen som vger svmme
astorm, it is only Ruffen who dares to swim out utfor redde det store amerikaskipet
and save the big American boat.

10
Alf Prysen Vivan Zahl Olsen, ill.
Geitekillingen som kunne telle til ti [The kid who could count to ten]
Gyldendal Tiden, 2003 (1st ed. 1975) ISBN 9788205278943

This is a classic story about a young goat who Dette er en klassisk regle-fortelling om den lille
can count until ten. He counts all the animals geitekillingen som kunne telle til ti. Han teller alle
he meets. The other animals become angry and dyrene han mter. De andre dyrene blir sint nr han
afraid when he says he is going to count them, sier han skal telle dem, og en etter en begynner de
and one after another they run after the kid. lpe etter geitekillingen. Til slutt havner de alle p en
In the end they all enter a boat. But the boat ferje. Det er kun lov vre ti dyr om bord i ferjen. Nr
isonly classified for ten animals. When the crew mannskapet skjnner at geitekillingen kan telle, roper
discovers that the kid can count, they scream: de: Skynd deg og tell oss! Heldigvis er de akkurat
Hurry up and count us! Luckily they are exactly ti. Geitekillingen fr jobb ombord for telle alle
ten. The young goat remains at the boat to count passasjerer.
passengers.

the world through picture books books from norway 92


Books from the
Contact: Melanie Abad
melanier_25@yahoo.com

Philippines
The favourite books from the Philippines were chosen on the basis of their
literary and artistic worth; suitability of content and vocabulary to the
age of the readers; accuracy and clarity; positive reviews; high interest/
lowvocabulary items which satisfy the needs of reluctant readers.

1
May Tobias-Papa Isabel Roxas, ill.
Araw sa Palengke
Adarna House Inc., 2008 ISBN 978-971-508-317-1

Listen well, her mother tells her. Hold on to wrapped innewspaper at the bottom, its her joy
me tightly, ha? So you wont get lost. And dont we feel in the little dance that she does. Market
point at things that you want me to buy for Day! is atrue marriage of text and visual image.
you. And so the story begins with a promise: The result is a lighthearted picture book that is
Yes, Nanay, I promise. Early one morning, a nuanced, controlled, and thoroughly engaging.
little girl accompanies her mother to the market. Areally good read.
They take readers with them. The market is
hot and noisy, smelly and muddy, but its also Sasama ako kay Nanay! Pupunta kami sa palengke.
fascinating and colorful, because its seen from Ano-ano kaya ang makikita namin doon? Sino-sino
a point ofview thats only about three feet kaya ang makikilala ko? Tara, sama ka. Ngayon
tall. When they arrive home, and our little girl ayaraw ng palengke!For 3-6 rige.
unpacks the bayong (bag) to find a surprise

2 Kristin Canon Leo Alvarado, ill.


Si Pilong patago-tago
Adarna House Inc., 2004 ISBN 971-508-240-8

Bulaga! You didnt see me, did you? Bulaga! Hindi ninyo ako nakita, no?
This Pilo! He really loves hiding. Hay, si Pilo! Mahilig magtago.
Wont he get tired of this kind of game? Hindi kaya siya napapagod sa ganitong paglalaro?

3
Jose Miguel Tejido
Ang Pambihirang Sombrero
Adarna House Inc., 2003 ISBN 971-508-181-9

Mia found a strange hat in Lolas old trunk. Nakahalungkat si Mia ng kakaibang sombrero
What wonders is the hat hiding and why are salumang baul ng kaniyang Lola. Ano kaya ang
herneighbors drawn to it? hiwagang itinatago ng sombrero at bakit maraming
tao sa kanilang pamayanan ang naaakit nito?

the world through picture books books from the philippines 93


4 Annie Denise, Angelika Lumbao Liza Flores, ill.
But that wont wake me up
Adarna House, Inc., 2010 ISBN 978-971-508-356-0

Tomorrow is a school day. Maya is worried that May pasok bukas. At nag-aalala si Maya: baka hindi
she wont wake up early. But Nanay has some siya magising nang maaga! Pero may magagandang
wonderful ideas on how to wake her up. naiisip si Nanay kung paano siya gigisingin.

5
Renato C. Vibiesca Ray-Ann Bernardo, ill.
Taho, Taho, Taho Tahoooieyy!
Lampara Books, 2009 ISBN 978-971-518-213-3

Of all the taho vendors, Teres father is the one Sa lahat ng mga magtataho ay ang tatay ni tere ang
with the highest and sharpest voice. When may pinakamatinis na boses. Parang mababasag ang
he hollers, it can almost shatter the glass in mga salamin sa bintana ng mga kapitbahay kapag
the neighbors windows. He has many regular sumisigaw ito. Maraming suki ito dahil aliw na aliw
customers because theyre entertained by the ang mga ito sa kakaibang tono nito.
unique sound of his voice. Ngunit isang araw, nagkasakit ang tatay ni tere
But one day, Teres father falls ill and cannot at hindi makasigaw. Pumalit ang kanyang kuya
holler. Her brother takes over in vending taho. sapagtitinda. Mukhang mauubos ang buong

It looks like the whole day will pass without her maghapon na hindi makakabenta ng maski isang
brother being able to sell a single glass of taho. basong taho ang kanyang kuya.
Until Tere hollers in the highest sharpest voice: Hangang sa pinakawalan ni Tere ang matinis na:
Taho! Taho! Taho... Tahoooieyy! Taho!Taho!Taho...Tahoooieyy!

6
Danilo Consumido Hubert B. Fucio, ill.
Si Pagong at si Matsing
Adarna House, 2006 ISBN 971-508-282-3

Matsing is known for his intelligence and cunning Kung anong hina raw ni Pagong ay siyang tuso ni
but Pagong also has his wit and cleverness. When Matsing. Magsisimula ang kuwento nila sa paghati
they both find a banana tree, the match begins. ngpuno ng saging. Alamin sa kuwento kung sino
Find out who triumphs in this classic tale that has sakanila ang mananaig.
amused generations.

7
Rene O. Villanueva Jo Ann Bereber-Gando, ill.
Ang Barumbadong Bus
Adarna House, 1999 ISBN 971-508-051-0

A reckless bus is acting like he is the king of the Isang bus na kaskasero ang naghahari-harian sa
road. He doesnt care what happens to others. kalsada. Wala siyang pakialam sa kapakanan ng iba.
Read what happens to the unruly bus because of Basahin sa kuwentong ito ang sinapit ng barumbadong
his arrogance. bus dahil sa kaniyang kayabangan.

the world through picture books books from the philippines 94


8 Rebecca T. Anonuevo Ruben De Jesus, ill.
Ang Mahiyaing Manok
Adarna House, 2000 ISBN 971-508-074-X

Onyok is a young rooster who cannot crow as Sa lahat ng mga manok ni Mang Oca, itong si Onyok
good and as loud as the others, so he spends ang mukmok nang mukmok. Paanoy hindi niya
most of his time sulking. How can a shy rooster magawang tumilaok tulad ng ibang mga kapuwa
prove his worth? manok. Paanong palalakasin ang loob ng isang
mahiyaing manok?

9
Maria Corazon Remedio Roland Mechael Ilagan, ill.
Bru-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Bru-hi-hi-hi-hi-hi
Adarna House, 1995 ISBN 971-508-139-8

Should one judge a person based on their Dapat bang husgahan ang tao batay sa kaniyang
physical appearance? Learn about the sad life panlabas na anyo? Alamin ang malungkot na buhay ng
ofan old lady and how she was accepted by isang matandang babae at kung paano siya tinanggap
ouryoung protagonist in this story of laughter ng ating batang bida sa kuwentong puno ng tawanan
and understanding. at pag-unawa.

10
Rene O. Villanueva Alfonso Onate, ill.
Si Emang Entankada at ang Tatlong Haragan
Adarna House, 1980 ISBN 971-508-257-2

Three naughty children refuse to care for their Tatlong pilyong bata ang nasisiyahan sa pagputol ng
environment: they destroy plants, waste water mga halaman, pagsasayang ng tubig at elektrisidad,
and throw garbage just about anywhere! at pagtatapon ng basura kahit saan. Si Emang
Oneday, an enchantress decides to teach them Engkantada ang maguturo sa kanila ng kahalagahan
alesson they will never forget. ng pangangalaga sa balanse ng kalikasan.

the world through picture books books from the philippines 95


Books from
Contact: Amira Abed
amira.bqfp@gmail.com

Qatar
Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing was established as Qatars first
publishing house to publish books of excellence and originality in English
and Arabic. They are dedicated to cultivating new literary talent especially
in Arabic by organizing events to support the development of aspiring
new literary talent and running creative writing workshops. In the schools
community, their fast growing role has gained them a lot of recognition
among teachers, librarians and parents as they build a literary culture in Qatar
and the Middle East through reading events and other initiatives such as
World Book Day.
Through Reading and Writing Development (RWD) they aim to give Arabic
literature the importance it deserves by creating content for librarians/
teachers and literary resources such as the annual Childrens Book Guide with
readers looking to RWD for quality book recommendations, book resources,
and a community with whom to share their passion. They are also working on
establishing a BQFP standard for libraries that local Independent Schools will
aspire to meet.
They provide readers with a well-rounded list of childrens books in a
combination of literature in translation and original writing and a variety
of illustration styles, subject matters, and cultures. For example, Hamda and
Fisaikra and Victory Over Abu Derya are retellings of old folk tales from the
region which expose Qatars diverse ex-patriate community to the Gulfs rich
heritage. They aim to bring children in the Arab world closer to books on
relevant themes such as tolerance, unconditional love, and fun and to give the
message that good pleasurable books and active child-friendly libraries should
be accessible to each and every child in school.

the world through picture books books from qatar 96


1
Kaltham Al Ghanem May Al Mannai, ill.
Hamda and Fisaikra
2011 ISBN 9789992178874 (English edition), 9789992178881 (Arabic edition)

Hamda is the Cinderella of the Gulf. The story


takes place on the Gulf shores where Fisaikra, the
fairy fish rescues poor Hamda from the wicked


step mother and brings her together with the
.
charming Sheikhs son.

A tale that is living proof of the power of popular
fairytales to reinvent themselves in different .
cultures. Told by Kaltham Al Ghanim whose work
vastly covers areas of anthropological research
in the Arabian Gulf, paired up with a Qatari
illustrator who works in Al Jazeera Childrens .
Channel in Qatar.

2 Mohamed Ali
Victory Over Abu Derya
2010 ISBN 9789992142233 (English edition), 9789992142240 (Arabic edition)

A Gulf legend that lives on from one generation


to another about the history of pearl diving
where the pearl fleet returns from another

hard season at sea after a terrible defeat
.
bythe legendary guardian of the sea kingdom
AbuDerya.

Many ships and sailors have been lost; but when ""
the grandmother of little Rashid has a dream in .
which her grandsons hands are filled with pearls, .
the villagers vow to reverse their fortune. Down
there, Abu Derya however is prepared to unleash
his powers.

the world through picture books books from qatar 97


Books from
Contacts: Linda Koo Seen Lin linda.ksl@gmail.com
Anne-Christelle Tiverne anne-christelle.tiverne@cg974.fr

Reunion Island
(France)

This selection of picture books, made by librarians of the Bibliothque


dpartementale of Reunion, says many things about this small French island
situated in the Indian Ocean (2109 S, 5530 E). In all these books, children
are invited to glance into their natural and cultural heritage (Reunion Island
from Ato Z, 100 words about Reunion Island). Reunion is a preserved area where
nature, through rupture in the earths crust, has given birth to the island
(TheSmall Volcano) and has developed some very extraordinary living birds
such as shown in The Paille en queue bird or extinct ones like the dodo bird
(The Bird Dodos take off). This nature must be protected: ecology, recycling
and sustainable development are to be taught (Velocity). The island is very
much concerned about its cultural identity; people from Europe, Africa and
Asia have met there and created an extraordinary melting pot: this multi-
ethnic population has merged in a unique society living together in peace
and harmony but some questions have to be asked (She knows from whom she
inherited it). Different religions co-habit and due respect is paid to each of them
(The Mixing up of Religions). We also have examples of traditional tales with the
mythical animal, the cunning hare who is always trapped in the end (Hare is
going to the Ball) together with nursery rhymes and Creole songs (Ticoulitintin).
Creoleisthe popular spoken language and how it should be written is much
ofan issue. Some tales are drawn from old native stories or from neighbouring
Madagascar, whose history has been quite close to Reunions (In my basket).
All these books are remarkably illustrated, some can be considered as art
books. Publishing for young children has increased these last years both
innumber and in quality, perhaps thanks to the work done by childrens
libraries. The municipal library of Saint Pierre hosts a contest every three
years; a prize is offered to the best illustrator of a picture book, chosen by
children among a short list made by librarians, of recent picture books; the
Bibliothque dpartementale gives every newborn baby a book and a leaflet
on how to read to babes together with an invitation to a show for young
children. Moreover most libraries throughout the island have social and
cultural activities with books especially for children and teenagers. This has
boosted publishing. Reunion is only a small island and the sales opportunities
are narrow, this explains why such a small number of books are published
eachyear.

the world through picture books books from reunion island (france) 98
1
Fabienne Jonca Hlne Moreau, ill.
La Runion des religions [The Mixing up of Religions]
Ocan ditions, 2010 ISBN 978-2-36247-003-5

The better you know about the various religions Mieux connatre les diffrentes religions, cest cultiver
that exist, the better you become tolerant and la tolrance pour mieux vivre ensemble.
make it easier to live together. This book is Destin aux enfants ds leur plus jeune ge, ce livre
accessible to children from very young age, it propose un tour dhorizon de huit grandes religions:
offers an abstract for the eight most popular lhindouisme, le bouddhisme, la religion populaire
religions in the world such as: Hinduism, chinoise, le judasme, le catholicisme, lorthodoxie,
Buddhism, the popular religion of China that leprotestantisme et lislam. Bassam vit La Runion,
include Confuciusm, Taoism and Buddhism, the une petite le de locan Indien dans laquelle se
Judaism, the Catholicism, the Orthodox, the ctoient des fidles de trs nombreuses religions. Il se
Protestants, and Islam. Bassam lives in Runion rjouit de cette diversit, il est en effet rgulirement
Island, a small island in the Indian Ocean where invit de grandes ftes par ses amis. Une partie
people about various religions live together. He documentaire permet de rpondre aux grandes
is happy about this diversity; in fact he is often questions que lon se pose souvent sur les religions:
invited to big celebration parties by his friends. Quelles sont les principales croyances? Les grands
One part of the book could be classified as a vnements? Les pratiques importantes?
documentary book which is useful for the reader Nous avons choisi ce livre car il donne une image
because it gives answers to questions that are positive de la Runion et son peuple. En fait, il donne
frequently asked about religions such as: What des informations sur leurs croyances religieuses,
are the most popular religions? What are the big laculture et des pratiques et comment les gens vivent
events associated to these religions? And what are ensemble en paix avec leurs diffrences. Ce livre
the most important practices of each of them? estaccessible aux enfants partir de 8 ans, cest un
We have chosen this book because it gives a beau livre avec des images multicolores et peut tre
positive image of Runion Island and its people. utilis pour lire haute voix. la fin du livre, il y a un
In fact, it gives information about their religious glossaire qui explique tous les termes et les expressions
beliefs, culture and practices and how people religieuses. Cet album aide les enfants comprendre
live together in peace with their differences. ladiversit des religions qui existent dans un mme
This book is accessible to children from the age pays et les respecter.
of 8; it is a beautiful book with multicoloured
pictures and could be used to read aloud. Atthe
end of the book there is an index which gives
explanation for all the religious terms and
expressions. It helps children learn about the
variety of religions that does exist in a same
country and respect them.

the world through picture books books from reunion island (france) 99
2
Robi Mat Chaveron, ill.
Elle a de qui tenir [She knows from whom she inherited it]
Ocan ditions, 2009 ISBN 978-2916-533-72-8

Who are you? Where are you from? You are the Qui es-tu? Do viens-tu? Tu es le fruit de tes racines,
fruit of your own roots, a new growing plant Une pousse toute neuve qui suivra son propre chemin
that will have its own way The members of an Les membres de la famille mtisse dun Africain
Africans crossbreed family want to find a trait veulent trouver un trait de ressemblance de caractre
of their own in a new born baby girl. This book is chez une petite fille qui vient de natre Ce livre traite
about people from crossbreed origin and it was du mtissage et il a t inspir par une chanson
inspired by a song from the singer Robi. Who has duchanteur Robi. Qui ne sest jamais interrog sur
never questioned himself about the similarity lasimilitude dun trait de caractre que son enfant
in a trait of characters that his child could have pourrait avoir hrit de lui-mme ou dun membre de
inherited from himself or from a member of his sa proche famille ? Cest prcisment cette question
close family? The book attempts to answer these que ce livre tente de rpondre. Beaucoup dauthenticit
questions. Through the illustrations and the et de sincrit pour ce livre avec ses illustrations et ses
beautiful rhymes the album becomes very sincere belles rimes. En outre, lalternance entre la peinture
and authentic. Furthermore the alternative pour reprsenter les membres de la famille proche
between pictures that are painted and used to etledessin pour reprsenter la jeune fille qui grandit
represent the members of the close family and est un excellent choix graphique, parce quil renforce
those that are drawn and used to represent the lacohrence entre un texte bas sur la comparaison
growing girl are an excellent graphics choice des personnes. Cest une sorte de clbration
because it reinforces the coherence between dumtissage.
atext based on comparison of people and it is a Ce livre a t choisi pour son originalit, cest un livre
kind of celebration for the crossbreed identity. agrable et color, Le sujet du livre pourrait paratre
The book has been selected for its originality. banal mais il est trait dune manire originale, il est
The topic it covers is a common subject but it is facile lire haute voix avec des enfants de moins
treated in an original way which makes it easy de3ans.
toread aloud with children from the age of three.

3 Baptiste Vignol, Jean-Claude Vignol Elsa Lauret, ill.


La Runion de A Z, 100 mots sur la Runion
[Reunion Island from A to Z, 100 words about Reunion Island]
Les ditions du Boucan, 2007 ISBN 978-295248362-9

It is an alphabet primer of 100 words that Il sagit dun abcdaire de 100 mots qui dcrivent
describes Reunion Island, its history, the most lle de la Runion, son histoire, la faune et la flore,
famous spices found and used in this country, lespices les plus clbres du pays, les maisons
thetypical houses of Runion Island called cases typiques de lle de la Runion appel case
(huts), the rainfalls, the banana, the mosquitoes, (hutte), lapluie, la banane, les moustiques, la danse
the traditional dance called maloya, but also traditionnelle appele maloya, mais aussi avec
details about Madagascar Island, etc desdtails sur lle de Madagascar, etc ...
This book is an invitation to discover Runion Ce livre est une invitation dcouvrir lle de la Runion
Island in an attractive and intelligent way, dune faon attractive et intelligente, en utilisant
byusing 100 famous words that will relate 100 mots clbres qui par le biais dnigmes etde
totheisland in the most beautiful way through devinettes renvoient la Runion. Les illustrations
riddles and games. The illustrations use lots sont trs colores il y a de lhumour de limagination,
ofcolours, humour and imagination in order to qui refltent le charme, la richesse et latmosphre
reflect closely the charm, the richness and the agrable de cette le. Cest un vrai succs de librairie
atmosphere of this Island. This book is a real pour les jeunes lecteurs, il est accessible partir
success amongst literature foryoung people de6ans.
andis accessible fromthe ageof 6.

the world through picture books books from reunion island (france) 100
4
Arius and Mary Batiskaf A class of year 5 from the primary school
ofChampcourt, le Tampon, ill.
Dododkol [The bird Dodos take off]
Dodo vole, 2007 ISBN 978-2-952204-3-1

This hardback square book deals with frequently Cet album cartonn reli rpond aux questions
asked questions, anecdotal and metaphysical frquemment poses quelles soient anecdotiques ou
ones that could be asked at any age from mtaphysiques de 0 6 ans. L, les dodos posent des
age0to6. Here there are some dodos birds who colles leur professeur et tout le monde dcolle ! Les
asked funny questions to their school teacher and oiseaux philosophes sen laissent conter pour notre
all ofthem will take off! These philosopher birds plus grand plaisir... Ce livre a t slectionn pour ses
speak for the pleasure of the readers. This book qualits artistiques. On peut le considrer comme un
has been selected for its lovely artistic illustration, livre dart pour les enfants.
it could be classified as a book of art for children.

5
Axel Gauvin Fabrice Urbatro, ill.
Liev i sava bal [Hare is going to the Ball]
Tikouti, 2007 ISBN 2-916401-04-0

The King of animals organised a big ball where all Le roi des animaux organisa un grand bal o tous les
the animals were invited, except those who do animaux furent invits, except ceux qui navaient pas
not have horns. A hare wanted to go so decided de cornes. Un livre voulut y aller et dcida de se faire
to make some false horns and finally was able de fausses cornes et put entrer dans le bal et fit la fte
to enter the ball and enjoy the party until the jusquau matin. Les cornes fabriques en cire dabeille
morning. The horns were made with honeycomb fondirent au soleil. Quand le livre fut sorti, donc il ne
and melted under the sun when the hare got put y entrer de nouveau ... Il sagit dun conte clbre
out and so he couldnt enter the ball again. This dans lle de la Runion que les conteurs racontent
is a famous story in Reunion Island used by auxenfants la veille. Lauteur est un conteur
storytellers to tell to children in reading aloud trsclbre dans lle et il conte gnralement en crole
circles. The author is a very famous story teller in (qui est un dialecte franais parl dans lle). Parlebiais
Reunion Island and he generally speaks in Creole de la langue crole le livre utilise des blagues et des
(which is a French dialect spoken in the Island). expressions mais cela se perd dans la traduction
By using Creole language the book uses funny franaise
jokes and expression, however this is not visible
when translated into French.

6
Florette Ratiazandry Anny Grondin, Sully Andoche, ill.
Dans mon soubik [In my Basket]
Epsilon jeunesse 2010 ISBN 978-2-912949-35-6

This book is a collection of beautiful tales from Ce livre est une collection de belles histoires de lle
Madagascar Island and Reunion Island. They deMadagascar et lle de la Runion.
are in French and Sakalave (a Malagasy dialect Celles-ci sont en franais et en Sakalave (un dialecte
spoke in the north of Madagascar) for the tales Malgache parl dans le nord de Madagascar) pour
of Madagascar, and the tales of Reunion Island lescontes de Madagascar et les contes de la Runion
are in French and Creole (a French dialect sont en franais et en crole (un dialecte franais parl
spoken in Runion Island). This book is the result la Runion). Ce livre est le rsultat dune coopration
of aco-operation between two authors, one entre deux auteurs, lun de lle de Madagascar et
from Madagascar Island and the other from lautre de lle de la Runion et il montre les diffrences
Reunion Island and it shows the differences and et les similitudes de culture entre les deux pays
similarities of cultures between the two countries travers leurs littratures et des contes traditionnels.
through their literature and traditional tales. Lelivre est multilingue et est accompagn dun CD.
Thebook is multilingual and is accompanied
byaCD.

the world through picture books books from reunion island (france) 101
7
Christophe David Franois Carage, ill.
Le Petit Volcan [The Small Volcano]
Hi-Land, 2005 ISBN 2-910822-00-1

This book is about the birth of the Island, in fact Ce livre parle de la naissance de lle, en fait, cest
this is the story of the union of the sea to the lhistoire de lunion de la mer et du volcan qui a fait
volcano which has made this beautiful island. cette belle le, puis de beaux oiseaux sont venus y vivre,
Then beautiful birds came to live there, and et de beaux poissons sont arrivs dans la mer autour.
beautiful fishes came to live in the sea around it. Tout ceci a cr un paradis o il fait bon vivre. Ce livre
All this has made the Island a paradise where it is personnifie la mer et le volcan qui sont gnralement
good to live. The book uses the famous character utiliss en littrature comme des personnages clbres
of the sea and the volcano which are commonly dans la littrature pour les enfants. En effet, dans lle
used in literature for children. Indeed in Reunion de la Runion, nous avons un volcan qui est toujours
Island we have a volcano which is still alive and actif et se rveille une fois par an ou une fois tous
does wake up once a year or once every two lesdeux ans. Les enfants dans ce pays ont grandi avec
years. Children in this country grew up with lanature qui les entoure, la montagne, les rivires, les
nature around them, mountain, rivers, falls and cascades et le volcan ce qui fait quils en sont habitus
the volcano which makes them get used to it et ils ne sen effraient pas dans leur vie quotidienne.
sothey dont become frightened about it in their
daily life.

8
Jolle cormier Franois Gonthier, ill.
Ticoulitintin [Ticoulitintin]
Ocan ditions, 2007 ISBN 978-2916-533-34-6

A collection of traditional nursery rhymes Ce livre est un recueil de comptines traditionnelles


of Runion Island; these songs are in both dela Runion, ces chansons sont la fois dans
languages Creole and translated into French, and lalangue crole et traduites en franais, et ceux-ci
these are still in use in nurseries or sung at home sont toujours en usage dans les chambres denfants
nowadays. At the end of the book the author ou chantes la maison de nos jours. la fin du
has put a list of instruments that are commonly livre, lauteur a mis une liste dinstruments qui sont
used with these songs. The book is accompanied gnralement utiliss avec ces chansons. Ce livre
with a CD audio. We have selected this book estaccompagn dun CD audio.
because it contributes to the folklore of Runion Nous avons choisi ce livre parce quil contribue
Island and particularly to the childrens patrimony au folklore de la Runion et particulirement
and culture that children are taught from a very aupatrimoine et la culture de lenfant et tout cela
young age. The book is very well illustrated and it estappris aux tout-petits. Le livre est trs bien illustr
gets good feedback in the Island. et il est trs apprci dans lle.

the world through picture books books from reunion island (france) 102
9
Aurlia Moynot
Vlocit [Velocity]
Epsilon, 2010 ISBN 978-2-912949-36-3

The author and illustrator of this book Lauteur et lillustrateur de ce livre est un modeleur
isamodeller, She always makes the models, ellefait toujours des modles et les photographie puis
takes photos of them and uses them for elle les utilise pour illustrer de son livre. Le rsultat
the illustrations in her book. As a result the est que les illustrations apparaissent comme si elles
illustrations appear as if they are in 3D and it is taient en 3D cest une trs belle combinaison dimages
avery nice combination of picture and drawings. et de dessins. De plus ce livre traite les thmes de la
Further this book is about biodiversity and biodiversit et du recyclage. Il montre bien comment
recycling things. It gives a good image of how life lavie pourrait tre belle quand nous nous soucions
could be beautiful when we care for the nature dela nature autour de nous en utilisant la bicyclette
around us by using a bicycle instead of an engine aulieu dun moteur ou dune voiture.
or a car. We have selected this book because Nous avons choisi ce livre parce quil donne une
it gives a good image about the protection bonne image de la protection de la nature, la politique
of nature, the politics of recycling things and derecyclage des objets et le dveloppement durable.
and sustainable development. This book was En fvrier 2011, ce livre reut le prix de La Runion
granted the prize La Runion des livres for its des livres pour ses illustrations. Tous les modles
illustrations in February 2011. All the models used utiliss en illustrations sont vendus sur les marchs
in the illustrations are sold in the markets as toys comme des jouets pour des jeunes enfants et cela les
for young children and they encourage them encourage apprcier le jeu avec des objets recycls.
toappreciate playing with recycled things.

10
Marie Winter
Le Paille en Queue [The Paille en Queue Bird]
Editions Azales, 1993 ISBN 2-908127-18-0

This book is a documentary book for children Ce livre est un livre documentaire pour les enfants
dealing with a typical bird that lives in Runion qui traite dun oiseau typique qui vit dans lle nomm
Island named Le Paille en Queue. Thebook is LePaille en Queue. Le livre est trs bien illustr
very well illustrated and gives minute details etdonne les moindres dtails de la vie de cet oiseau.
about the life of this bird. The young reader will Le jeune lecteur apprciera les belles images de lle,
appreciate the beautiful images ofthe island that quisont des lieux quil a pu visiter personnellement.
are real places that he could have visited during Nous avons choisi ce livre parce que lauteur-
his own life in this island. Wehaveselected illustrateur du livre a t le premier sortir des albums
this book because the author is one of the first documentaires sur la faune et la flore pour les enfants.
authors to write documentaries books about Ses livres ont un vrai succs auprs des enfants
wildlife and flora for children in Runion Island. quiapprennent ainsi la vie des animaux typiques
Her books are a real success with children as they quine vivent que sur leur le et nulle part ailleurs,
help children to know about the typical animals celasappliquant aussi la flore.
that live on their Island, and probably nowhere
else in the world, the same as for the typical
plants that grow up here.

the world through picture books books from reunion island (france) 103
Books from
Contact: Ruxandra Navarre
ruxandramoasanazare@yahoo.com

Romania
An initial consultation was undertaken with colleagues from the Children
and Young Adults department of the Public Library of Brasov and an initial
list ofthe picture books was agreed. Secondly, a search for the titles was
carried out in many bookshops and online in order to see them, to verify if
they are eligible, appreciate them and to know if they are in stock. Afterwards,
ten titles were established and the proposition was submitted to IBBY
National Section Romania and to librarians from the Children and Young
Adults departments belonging to all Romanian public libraries via e-mail.
TheRomanian National Section of IBBY operates within the Romanian Union
of Publishers which means that the response of IBBY Section Romania also
includes the editors response. A response was received from IBBY National
Section as well as suggestions for new titles. Further searching and verifying
of titles took place and finally the ten picture books for Romania were chosen
based on the co-operation of IBBY Romania and librarians.

1
Petre Ispirescu Walter Riess, Mihaela Paraschivu, Valeria Moldovan,
RalucaIlie, ill.
Basme [Fairy tales]
Corint Junior, 2010 ISBN 978-973-128-346-3

The anthology includes the most beautiful Antologia cuprinde cele mai frumoase i apreciate
and appreciated Romanian fairy tales, read basme populare romneti, citite de copii i aduli
bychildren and adults as well, generation after deopotriv, generaie dup generaie: Tineree fr
generation: Youth without Age and Life without btrnee, Sarea n bucate, Prslea cel voinic i
Death, Aleodor the King, The Salt in the Food, merele de aur. Povetile au fost culese i publicate de
Praslea the Sturdy and the golden apples. Petre Ispirescu, tipograf, folclorist i scriitor interesat
Allthesetales were collected and published de motenirea literar a povetilor tradiionale
byPetre Ispirescu, awriter mostly interested romneti. Cu timpul, ele au devenit povetile tuturor
in the literary traditional heritage of Romanian copiilor, spiritul copiilor fiind fermecat de lumea
tales. Withtime, they became the tales of all magic apovetilor.
the children, charming childrens spirit by their
imaginative world.

the world through picture books books from romania 104


2
Ion Creang Valentin Tnase, ill.
Harap Alb [White Moor]
Flamingo GD, [2009] ISBN 978-973-1896-13-7

The White Moor is the Kings son, the youngest Harap Alb este cel mai tnr i curajos dintre cei trei fii
and most courageous one, who leaves the ai regelui, care prsete familia, plecnd s i nfrunte
family, and is forced to face many challenges destinul i trebuind s fac fa multor provocri i
and difficulties. In spite of his fathers advice, the dificulti. n ciuda sfatului printelui su de a evita
prince was tricked by the Spn (the Beardless Omul Spn i Omul Ro, prinul este pclit de Spn,
Man) who turns him into a slave and gives him care l nrobete i i d s fac cele mai grele sarcini,
dangerous tasks that put his life at risk. Helped dorindu-i s-i piard viaa i s i ia locul. Ajutat
by Holy Friday and his horse, and also having de Sf. Vineri i de calul su cu puteri supranaturale,
supernatural powers, the White Moor succeeds precum i de o serie de personaje fantastice, Harap
in all his missions. Finally, the White Moor defeats Alb reuete s duc la bun sfrit fiecare misiune grea
his master and regains his freedom, finding his ncredinat de stpnul su. n final, Harap Alb i
place and true love. nfrnge stpnul i i rectig libertatea, descoperind
adevrata dragoste i locul su propriu n lume.

3 Mihai Eminescu Anamaria Smigelschi, ill.


Ft-Frumos din lacrim [Prince Charming from the Tear]
Gramar, 2007 ISBN 978-973-591-570-4

Born from his mothers tears, the Prince Charming Nscut din lacrimile mamei sale, Ft Frumos din
from the Tear left his home, in search of glory. He Lacrim prsete casa prinilor lui, n cutarea
saves his neighbors kingdom from the curse of a gloriei. El salveaz mpria vecin de blestemul
witch, called Muma Pdurii (The Forest Witch), unei vrjitoare, numit Muma Pdurii, descoperind n
finding love with her beautiful daughter. At the frumoasa ei fiic adevrata dragoste a sa. La cererea
request of his blood brother, he accepts the fratelui su de snge, el accept misiunea de a-i aduce
mission of bringing his brothers future bride, the acestuia viitoarea mireas, fiica unui prea puternic
beautiful youngest daughter of the most powerful stpn al locului, Genarul. Dup o mulime de greuti,
leader, Genar. After a lot of difficulties, he el izbndete n lupta sa. Aventurile, atmosfera
succeeds in his mission. The adventures, romantic romantic, personajele magice i limbajul poetic
atmosphere, magic characters and very poetic expresiv confer un aer special acestei poveti care
language give a special flavour to this tale, which captiveaz orice cititor.
captures anyreader.

4
Elena Farago Anamaria Smigelschi, ill.
Celuul chiop [The Lame Puppy]
Gramar, 2006 ISBN (10) 973-591-537-5, (13) 978-973-591-537-7

Elena Farago (1878-1954) was a well known and Elena Farago (1878-1954) a fost o cunoscut i
appreciated Romanian poet. This is the story of apreciat poet romn. Poemul intitulat Celuul
a puppy badly hurt by a cruel boy and as a result chiop este povestea unui cel rnit grav de un biat
becomes lame and is unable to play with other crud. Din cauza acelui accident nefericit, celuul
puppies or children. The boys regrets are useless, devine chiop i nu se mai poate juca cu ceilali
and the kind-hearted puppy did not punish celui sau cu copiii. Regretele biatului sunt inutile,
him, being more generous than a human being dar generosul cel nu l pedepsete, dovedindu-se mai
could ever be. The poem, carrying a clear moral generos dect a fost biatul. Poemul, cu un evident
message, is one of the best poems known by mesaj moral, este unul dintre cele mai cunoscute
children and it is often used as a nursery rhyme creaii ale poetei de ctre copii, folosit adesea n
in schools, kindergartens and library reading activitie pedagogice din grdinie, coli i biblioteci.
activities.

the world through picture books books from romania 105


5
Otilia Cazimir Anamaria Smigelschi, ill.
Baba Iarna intr-n sat [The Winter Old Woman enters the village]
Gramar, 2006 ISBN (10) 973-591-539-1, (13) 978-973-591-539-1

Many of the poems written by Otilia Cazimir Multe dintre poemele scrise de Otilia Cazimir (1894-
(1894-1967) were dedicated to children. The 1967) sunt dedicate copiilor. Autoarea a surprins
author has always appreciated their tenderness ntotdeauna expresiv candoarea copiilor n creaiile
and innocence. She used to tell them stories or ei, descriind lumea particular a copiilor ori universul
write happy lyrics for them, describing either micilor i nevinovatelor gngnii i animale. Poezia
their world or the universe of the harmless Baba Iarna intr-n sat evoc anotimpul rece, care este
insects or animals. The poetry TheWinter Old imaginat sub chipul unei btrne mohorte. Cuvintele
Woman enters the village is about the cold season, i imaginile sunt foarte sugestive i poemul a devenit
which is imagined like an old andgloomy woman. repede una dintre cele mai iubite i cunoscute poezii de
The words and images are very suggestive and ctre copii.
it quickly became a beloved and well-known
childrens poem.

6
Ioana Nicolaie Mihail Marian, ill.
Aventurile lui Arik [Ariks Adventures]
Corint Junior, 2008 ISBN 978-973-128-174-2

It is the best and the most successful book of Cartea Aventurile lui Arik de Ioana Nicolae este unul
the last years, written by a very gifted poet. Arik dintre cele mai bune i de succes volume ale ultimilor
is alittle hedgehog, who has a lot of adventures ani, scris de o poet extrem de nzestrat. Arik este un
searching for his brothers and saving them from micu arici, care are o groaz de aventuri, n cutarea
the smoky hornets. He fights against them frailor lui pe care i salveaz de Viespile de fum, cele
helped by his best friend, a little mouse named care au furat timpul. El lupt mpotriva lor ajutat
Nasuri Crne [Snub Noses]. He is also helped by de cel mai bun prieten al lui, un oricel numit Nasuri
a wise mole named Santa Cr and a horse fly, Crne, precum i de o neleapt crti, Mo Cr i
named Zum. The beauty of the lyrics, the exciting de bondarul Zum. Frumuseea versurilor, aventurile
adventures and the attractive illustrations, magice i ilustraiile atractive, precum i jocul de
including a puzzle game, make the reading a real puzzle inclus, fac lectura o real bucurie pentru copii.
delight forchildren.

7
Gellu Naum Nicolae Vasilescu (First Volume), Gellu Naum (second volume), ill.
Cartea cu Apolodor [The Book with Apolodor]; A doua carte cu Apolodor
[The Second Book with Apolodor]
Humanitas, 2008 ISBN 978-973-50-2213-6; 978-973-50-2214-3

Both volumes relate the adventures of a Ambele volume relateaz aventurile pinguinului numit
penguin, named Apolodor, who goes through Apolodor, care trece prin diverse aventuri mpreun
all kinds ofevents along with his friends, Ilie the cu prietenii si, Ilie Cangurul i Amedeu leul. Versurile
Kangaroo and Amedeu the Lion. Gellu Naums lui Gellu Naum fac o puternic impresie asupra micilor
lyrics make a very powerful impression on young cititori, iar lumea lui Apolodor, pinguinul care cnta n
readers and Apolodors world is full of humor corul de la circul din Bucureti i care pleac n lume
and surprises. Atthe same time, in these books, s-i revad fraii, este plin de umor i surprise. n
children discover both a lot of useful experiences, acelai timp, copiii descoper n carte o sumedenie de
andagood model to be followed. experiene utile i un model demn de urmat.

the world through picture books books from romania 106


8
Laura Cristinasrcin Cristina Pecherle, ill.
Norocel
Benefica, 2010 ISBN 978-606-92754-3-6

Norocel (Lucky) is a nice dog who grows bigger Norocel este un celu drgla care crete din ce
and bigger. He eats more and more and there is n ce mai mare. El mnnc din ce n ce mai mult i
a real danger to everything around him. Finally, exist o primejdie real de a dobor totul n jur. n
Norocel demolishes his master house. The people final, Norocel demoleaz casa stpnilor si. Acetia
call the police and the dog has to run away, into chiam poliia i cinele trebuie s fug n pdure,
the forest, causing a lot of damage there too. unde continu s fac pagube. Prsit de toate
Left behind by all the animals scared by him, animalele, speriate de el, Norocel decide s se predea
Norocel decides to surrender to the authorities. autoritilor. Pe drum, Norocel ntlnete trei biei n
On the road to them, Norocel meets three boys, pericol de a se nneca i i salveaz, sorbind toat apa
in danger of drowning themselves and he saves lacului. Astfel, devine eroul comunitii i este angajat
them, drinking the whole water and becoming la pompieri, folosindu-i abilitile n slujba oamenilor
the hero of the community. care l-au crescut.

9
Sndor Fodor Lvia Rusz, ill.
Csipike, az ris trpe [Csipike, the Fierce Dwarf]
ro-Print, 2007 ISBN 978-973-8468-58-0

Csipike is a nice dwarf, sometimes grumpy, but Csipike este un pitic drgu, uneori fnos, dar de
trusted, and always available for his friends ncredere i ntotdeauna dispus s ajute pe prietenii lui
and animals of the forest where he lives, being i animalele din pdurea unde triete, fiind absolut
absolutely convinced that the fate of the forest convins c soarta pdurii depinde n ntregime de
depends entirely on him. His experiences are both el. n felul acesta el d peste cap toat viaa pdurii
funny and highly educational. Time after time, prin ordinele lui. n timp, el devine contient de rolul
he becomes aware of his real role and starts to su real i nva s respecte pe alii. Experienele
respect the others. Fodor Sandors book has won lui sunt pline de umor, dar i educative. Cartea lui
many fans among children byits fully imaginative Fodor Sndor a ctigat muli fani printre copii prin
characters and events. Theillustrations also have personajele i evenimentele ei pline de imaginaie.
a large contribution toits success. Ilustraiile au contribuit la succesul crii.

10
Ricarda Maria Terschak Mihaela Tivadar, ill.
Die Bunte Omi [The Funny Grandmother]
Sibiu, Hora Publishing House, fourth edition, 2004 ISBN 978-973-8226-92-0

The book describes the imaginary travel Cartea descrie cltoria imaginar n jurul lumii a
around the world of six children along with 6copii nsoii de bunica lor. Cltorind i jucndu-se,
their grandmother. Traveling and playing, copiii nva lucruri noi despre oameni i obiceiurile
children learn new things about people and lor particulare n diferite locuri ale lumii. Cltoria
their particular habits in different places of the este o experien educativ i moral, iar ilustraiile
world, going through a real educative and moral contribuie ca lectura s fie o real plcere.
experience. The illustrations are very real and
convincing, making reading a real pleasure.

the world through picture books books from romania 107


Books from
Contact: Irina Mikhnova
maria.evseeva@gmail.com

Russian Federation
This list consists of books illustrated by the most impressive Russian painters
of the present and past, which have been published in recent years. One
top ten list cant include all varieties of the Russian book art. However, the
expert group of the Russian State Children Library, which is the federal
methodological centre, have tried to find a balance between recognized
classical artists among Russian-speaking children (Ivan Bilibin, Yuri Vasnecov,
Vladimir Konashevich, Vladimir Suteev, Tatyana Mavrina) and the most
impressive representatives of the Russian modern book graphic arts (Gennady
Spirin, Nikolay Popov, Francheska Yarbusova, Kirill Chelushkin). Also, during
the process of selection the best texts (books by Alexander Pushkin, Anton
Chekhov, Korney Chukovsky, etc.) and the high printing quality have been
taken into account by the experts.

1
Y. Vasnetsov, ill.
: , ,
[Pat-a-cake: Russian folktales, songs, rhymes]
Detgiz, Octopus, 2011 ISBN 978-5-94887-086-1

Yury Vasnetsov is one of the most famous


book illustrators in Russia. His works have ,
been recognized as classics of Russian graphic .
arts. This book is considered to be his very
best masterpiece (1964). Ornate, smart,
decorated illustrations by Vasnetsov naturally fit ,
forthesmall forms of Russian folklore. (1964). , ,


.

2
I. Bilibine, ill.
[Russian Folktales]
Mescheryakov, 2009 ISBN 978-5-91045-078-7

Russian folktales with classic illustrations


byIvan Bilibine, famous artist and participant -
ofthe artistic group Mir Iskusstva (World of Art)
havebeen reprinted many times. .


.

the world through picture books books from russia 108


3
Tatyana Mavrina, ill.
:
[Curved Seashore: Fantastic Worlds by Tatyana Mavrina]
Moskovskiye Uchebniki, 2010 ISBN 978-5-7853-1362-0

This book comprises not only folktales, but


also all fairy tales in verse written by Alexander ,
Pushkin, such as The Tale of the Priest and
ofHisWorkman Balda, The Tale of Tsar . ..,
Saltan, TheTaleof the Dead Princess and the .
Seven Knights, etc. Tatyana Mavrina is the only , ,
Russian artist to have been awarded the Nobel
Prize for childrens literature Gold Medal of
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration. . ,
Hernave, primitive but in fact very refined .
manner is widely recognized both in Russia .
andabroad. ,
.. (
).
,
,
,

.

4
Alexander Pushkin . Chyolushkin, ill.
[The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish]
Azbuka, 2011 ISBN 978-5-389-02463-2

This tale in verse is about a fisherman who


manages to catch a Golden Fish which promises .
to fulfill any wish of his in exchange for its -
freedom. Pushkin wrote the tale in 1833 and since ,
that time it has been published with illustrations ,
by very many artists. We have chosen this edition . ,
because of the graphics by Kirill Chyolushkin,
one of the most talented and bright modern ,
illustrators. , .

5
Korney Chukovsky V. Konashevitch, V. Suteyev, V. Duvidov, ill.
[For Children]
Planeta Detstva, 2007 ISBN 978-5-17-042973-8

Korney Chukovsky is one of the most popular


childrens poets of the Soviet times in the Russian .
language. This book comprises his poems Doctor , ,
Aybolit, The Giant Roach, The Crocodile, .
Washemclean, etc., which have been favourites , -
with many generations of Russian children. ,
Each of the three illustrators has his own manner. , ,
Lyric and decorative style by Konashevitch, simple
and smiling pictures by Suteyev, sincere and
musical illustrations by Duvidov all them show .
us the world of Chukovskys fairy tales.

the world through picture books books from russia 109


6
Vadim Gusev
, : ,
[What is inside read and look: either pictures
withverses or verses with pictures]
Detgiz, 2010 ISBN 978-5-8452-0434-9

Vadim Gusev illustrated his own poems


intheRussian constructivism manner of 1920s.
Hispoetry seems to be an integral part of his 1920- .
illustrations. ,
.

7
Nikolai Popov
? [Why?]
Ripol classic, 2010 ISBN 978-5-386-02167-2

Nikolai Popovs wordless, thought-provoking -


tale about a frog who sits peacefully on a rock ,
smelling a flower and a mouse who aggressively . ,
snatches the flower away. The absurdity of
aggression and the inevitable consequences .
ofthe violence that occurs teaches us the
ugliness of war and that there are no winners. ,
This book was selected as the best book for .
children inGermany, Austria and Switzerland.

8
Sergei Kozlov, Yuriy Norshteyn Franchesca Yarbusova, ill.
[Hedgehog in the Fog]
Krasnyy Parokhod, 2011 ISBN 978-5-386-02167-2

This is a story about a little hedgehog, who is on ,


his way to visit his friend the bear cub.Hedgehog 2003
in the Fog is a 1975 Russian animated film directed
by Yuriy Norshteyn. The script was written by .
Sergei Kozlov and a book under thesame name
was published.In 2003 in Tokyo Hedgehog in
theFog was selected No 1 Animated film of all
thetime.

the world through picture books books from russia 110


9
Junna Morits Eugeny Antonenkov, ill.
: -- 5 500
[The roof was going home: ha-ha verses for children from 5 to 500 years old]
Vremya, 2010 ISBN 978-5-9691-0507-2

Junna Morits has attracted many young


readers with her childrens poetry, some of ,
which, like her adult work, became known , , .
to mass audiences through guitar singers.
IllustrationsbyE.Antonenkov make their creative .
co-operation a real tandem.

10
Anton Chekhov G. Spirin, ill.
[Kashtanka]
Ripol classic, 2010 ISBN 978-5-386-01828-3

Kashtanka by Anton Chekhov is one of the most ,


famous short stories for children. .. ,
The dog Kashtanka lives in precarious . ,
surroundings, with a drunken master and the
ever-present possibility that shell be beaten or , -
neglected. Suddenly, she finds herself living the .
good life; in so far as canine ideals go, shes hit
the jackpot. However, she rejects the good life
as soon as her original master calls. Illustrations
by Gennady Spirin, one of the top illustrators of
childrens books, are considered the best graphics
that have ever been created for this story.

the world through picture books books from russia 111


Books from
Contact: Viviana Quinones viviana.quinones@bnf.fr
Antoinette Correa bld@bldsn.org

Senegal
The selection was made by Man Josphine Diouf, in charge of reading
activities at the Childrens library of Institut Franais Lopold Sdar Senghor
inDakar, and coordinated by Antoinette Correa et Viviana Quiones.

1
Adapt. of the text by Lopold Sdar Senghor Abdoulaye Sadji, Georges Lorofi, ill.
Les Aventures de Leuk-le-livre [The Adventures of Leuk-the-Hare]
Les Nouvelles ditions africaines du Sngal, 2003 (1st ed. 1975) ISBN 978-2-7236-1583-9

Resourceful Leuk-the-Hare has much to learn Leuk-le-livre, dbrouillard, a beaucoup apprendre


from life, from other animals, from men, to de la vie, des autres animaux, des hommes, pour
become as wise as he aspires to be This picture- devenir le sage quil aspire tre... Quelques unes
comic book tells, with jocular illustrations, some des aventures de ce hros traditionnel de la savane
of the adventures of this traditional hero of the africaine nous sont ici prsentes dans la forme dune
savannah and of other very human animals that bande dessine lillustration savoureuse dans laquelle
never lose their sense of humour. First published les animaux voluent la manire des humains, sans
in 1975, it is based on L.S. Senghor and A. Sadjis jamais perdre leur humour. Rdition de louvrage paru
classic book for children La Belle histoire de Leuk- en 1975, inspir du classique La Belle aventure de
le-livre. Leuk-le-livre de L.S. Senghor et A. Sadji.

2
Fatou Ndiaye Sow Moustapha Ndiaye, ill.
Le Mouton dAminata [Aminatas Lamb]
Nouvelles Editions Ivoiriennes, 1996 ISBN 978-2-910190-84-2

Aminata is delighted with the upcoming Aminata se rjouit de la fte musulmane du Tabaski
Muslim Tabaski festival: the taylor has sewn venir; le tailleur lui a prpar une belle robe, la
her a beautiful dress, the braider has made her tresseuse lui a fait de belles nattes... mais il manque
beautiful braids but the main thing is missing, lessentiel: le mouton! et Aminata sinquite...
the lamb ! Aminata is very concerned One of Unrcit de lauteur sngalaise Fatou Ndiaye Sow,
Fatou Ndiaye Sows great stories, with stylized dont les illustrations stylises de Moustapha Ndiaye
illustrations by Moustapha Ndiaye showing rproduisent des scnes de la vie quotidienne.
everyday life.

the world through picture books books from senegal 112


3
Lamine Diem Ndye Daba Niane, transl.
Nenne/Bb Amine [Baby Amine]
BLD, 2009 ISBN 978-2-916859-07-1

When Baby Amine wakes up alone on a big bed, Quand Bb Amine se rveille seul dans un grand lit,
his eyes show perplexity, then anxiety and finally, cest dabord la perplexit qui se lit dans ses yeux,
great anger Fortunately, Mother is not far away. bientt relaye par linquitude, pour finir par une
A small, square picture book, with expressive trs grosse colre. Heureusement, Maman nest pas
illustrations, where the story is mostly told by the loin. Dans ce petit album carr, aux illustrations trs
image and its skilful framing. Other good simple expressives, le rcit est men essentiellement par
picture books for very young children in this limage qui joue habilement sur les cadrages. Dautre
collection Tt: Dem Dikk on the blue and yellow bons petits albums pour tout petits dans cette
Dakar mini-buses, and Colobane, on Colobane collection Tt: Dem Dikk, sur les mini-bus bleu et
market in Dakar. Bilingual French-Wolof. jaune de Dakar, et Colobane, sur ce march dakarois.
Bilingue franais-wolof.

4
Batrice Lalinon Gbado Moctar Ly, ill.
Waali le petit Talib [Waali the little Talibe]
Bibliothque Lecture Dveloppement, Ruisseaux dAfrique, 2005

Little talibes children who attend Koranic Dans les rues des grandes villes, des petits talibs
schools, led by a marabout live and beg in the ces enfants de lcole coranique attachs un
streets of big cities. Starving, they sometimes marabout vivent et mendient. Il leur arrive, affams,
snatch a passer-bys handbag and end up at darracher le sac dune passante pour un morceau de
the police station. This is what happens to little pain et de se retrouver la police. Cest ce qui arrive
Waali. It is Mister Ba the shopkeeper who tells au petit Waali. Et cest Monsieur Ba le boutiquier qui
this sad story to his family, that evening. What is raconte cette triste histoire le soir sa famille. Quelle
the best solution for these abandoned children? solution pour ces enfants abandonns? Retrouver
To send them back to their home village? The leur village natal? Les illustrations fortes et chaudes
powerful, warm illustrations enhance a story mettent en valeur une histoire dont il nest pas sr que
whose ending may not be a happy one. la rsolution soit heureuse.

5
Raphal Ndiaye Malang Sne, ill.
Mariame Kant, Antoinette Fall Corra, adapt.
La Lutte [Wrestling]
BLD, 2007 ISBN 978-2-9527685-8-0

In Fadiouth village, on the island of clam shells, Au village, Fadiouth, lle aux coquillages, Andr
Andr explains to his cousin Lety just arrived explique son cousin Lety venu de France, tout sur la
from France, all about traditional Serer wrestling: lutte traditionnelle srre: les origines, lapprentissage,
the origins, the training, the costumes, the les tenues, les diffrentes prises, la lutte chez les
different techniques, women wrestling A quiz femmes Un quizz et des charades compltent ce
and charades complete this non-fiction picture documentaire consquent, trs illustr sur un sujet
book giving substantial information on a little peuabord, les arts de combat en Afrique.
treated subject, African martial arts.

the world through picture books books from senegal 113


6
Awa Ndir Seck Falilou Fall, ill.
Awa et lne [Awa and the Donkey]
BLD, 2006 ISBN 978-2-916859-00-2

Awa, a very poor girl, meets a donkey at a rubbish Awa, jeune fille trs pauvre, rencontre un ne dans
dump. He is in a pitiful state and Awa takes un dpt dordures. Il est dans un piteux tat et Awa
great care of him. One night, the donkey grants sen occupe avec grand soin. Une nuit lne exauce son
Awas greatest wish, to have a lavish home. But souhait le plus cher: avoir une demeure somptueuse.
on one condition, the best room must belong Mais une condition, la meilleure pice de la maison
tothe donkey for ever. A tale on the importance devra appartenir son ne tout jamais. Un conte
of keeping ones promises, told by a concise text sur limportance de la promesse tenue, dit par un
andpleasant, meaningful illustrations. texte concis et par des illustrations agrables et trs
parlantes qui occupent une large place.

7
Malick Mayab Fall Abdou Karim Camara, ill.
Oumar et Mariam [Oumar and Mariam]
BLD, 2006 ISBN 978-2-9527685-7-3

Oumar and Mariam go back to the village after Oumar et Mariam rentrent au village aprs lanne
spending the school year at their uncles home in scolaire chez leur oncle Dakar. Cest une joie de
Dakar. It is a joy for them to see their parents again, retrouver les parents et les activits de chaque t: aider
and take part in the activities of every summer: maman prparer et vendre la bouillie de riz, attraper
help Mother cook and sell rice porridge, catch birds, des oiseaux, rcolter le riz Les belles illustrations
harvest rice Beautiful watercolours give charm to laquarelle sont pour beaucoup dans le charme de cet
the book, a book serene as good family holidays. album serein, limage des bonnes vacances en famille.

8
Mariame Kant Pape Thierno Niang, ill.
Moi, Sirou, chat sngalais [Me, Sirou, Senegalese cat]
BLD, 2007 ISBN 978-2-9527685-6-6

Sirou, a kitten, tells the story. Hes just arrived in La parole est Sirou, petit chat tout juste dbarqu
a family home with its order, its rules to respect, dans une famille daccueil avec son ordre tabli, des
a little girl Soukeye who wants to pamper him rgles respecter, une petite fille Soukeye qui ne
and a sofa, forbidden to him but of course, soon demande qu le chouchouter et un canap dfendu
taken over. Sirou is punished and must go back et bien sr investi : la punition ne tarde pas et cest le
to a stray cats life. But because he foils a thiefs retour la vie de chat errant. Mais pour avoir djou
plans, he is welcomed back into the family. A les entreprises dun voleur, le chat rentrera bientt
lighthearted story, with humour and a peaceful en grce. Histoire lgre, non dnue dhumour et
vision of everyday family life. Cartoon speech proposant une vision tranquille du quotidien familial.
bubbles , inserted into the illustrations , add to Linclusion de bulles dans lillustration proche du style
the books playfulness. BD, renforce le ton enjou.

9
Hlne Ngone Diop, Moustapha Ndiaye, ill., Mame Daour Wade, transl.
Jinne yu mel nune Des djinns de toutes les couleurs [Djinns in all colours]
BLD, 2008 ISBN 978-2-916859-06-4

First published in 1997 together with two other Paru en 1997 dans une dition qui regroupait trois
stories, this tale is published here alone, in a histoires, cette nouvelle prsentation du conte, seul, dans
square, smaller and better suited format. It is un album carr plus petit, permet de mieux en goter la
not easy for djinns and men to live together, saveur. La cohabitation entre les djinns et les hommes
especially at siesta time when the little, invisible nest pas facile, surtout lheure de la sieste quand les
djinns make a racket A very short text, in French petits tres invisibles ne cessent leur vacarme Un
and Wolof; amusing, colourful illustrations by texte trs court, en franais et en wolof; damusantes
Moustapha Ndiaye in his recognizable style. illustrations trs colores de Moustapha Ndiaye dans son
style si reconnaissable que lon a plaisir retrouver.

All book reviews are adapted from those published in the journalTakam Tikou,
http://takamtikou.bnf.fr

the world through picture books books from senegal 114


Books from
Contact: Daniela Skokovi
daniela.skokovic@gmail.com

Serbia
The Children and Young Adults Section of the Serbian Library Association
announced the project and call for voting on the internet via blogs, mailing
list and Facebook group. A compiled list of 10 titles was made by multiple-
vote titles that were chosen by childrens librarians from 27 public libraries
ofdifferent sizes from all around Serbia.

1
Branko opi Duan Pavli, ill.
[The Hedgehogs Home]
Kreativni centar, 2010 ISBN 978-86-7781-278-2

Perhaps the most famous and most popular


childrens poem ever written in the Serbian ,
language, the Hedgehogs Home by Branko
opi still enchants readers of all generations .
with its magic lyrics. Jeurka Jei, the title
character, is a moody loner who loves his ,
home more than anything else. The story of his
adventures in the forest is a story of modesty, , .
courage, shyness and wisdom.

2
Simeon Marinkovi Tihomir elanovi, ill.
[Miko Nibbling]
Kreativni centar, 2009 ISBN 978-86-7781-221-8

One of the picture books about the little boy ,


Miko who keeps getting into all kinds of trouble. .
The stubborn Miko finds a great way to attract
attention by rejecting everything he is offered, ,
especially food. However, one day his breakfast . , ,
(jam, honey, milk and French toast) decides to , , ,
abandon him instead of waiting for him to make ,
up his mind. This exciting book will tell you about .
how Miko handled this unusual situation. ,
.

the world through picture books books from serbia 115


3
Dejan Aleksi Boris Kuzmanovi, ill.
[he Little Girl And Blue]
Zavod za udbenike, 2008 ISBN 978-86-17-14624-3

The Little Girl and Blue, written by Dejan Aleksic


and illustrated by Boris Kuzmanovic, is a book for
children which stands out among its kind because
of its unusual story, poetic style and great beauty. ,
Ahighly imaginative book created in an original ,
style with numerous illustrations that in unison .
truly penetrate deep down to thevery depths of
ones soul. The main character, a little girl, meets ,
Blue in her enchanting dream. She sees him casually ...
catching butterflies in a beautiful meadow while
he is hopeful that they will fly him up into the sky,
because every normal Blue lives in that lofty place...

4
Brana Crnevi Dobrosav Bob ivkovi, ill.
[The Angry Little Bear]
Kreativni centar, 2005 ISBN 86-7781-297-0

The well known poem by Brana Crnevi about


a stubborn little bear who refuses to sleep his ,
winter sleep, and wants to play with cats, rabbits ,
and birds instead. Crnevi was inspired to write ,
it when his little daughter refused to go to sleep
on time. This poem has been very popular among . ,
children, and the angry little bear has become ,
anickname for disobedient and feisty kids.
.

5
Gordana Maleti Ana Grigorjev, ill.
[Lets Meet The Leopard Family]
Evro-Giunti, 2009 ISBN 978-86-505-1383-5

In a nice quiet little town on the banks of the


river there are many houses and large buildings. . ,
They keep their tenants, residents of this pleasant .
place to live. In one of the newest buildings
high on a hill, surrounded by a park, unusual , ,
tenants have moved in recntly. The whole . !
neighbourhood is full of life now! Each floor is .
shared by two unusual families. Thats why living .
in this house is so cheerful for everyone. Lets !
meet the Leopard Family.

6 Brana Cvetkovi Neda Doki, ill.


[The Story of a Noodle]
, 2003 ISBN 86-7781-152-4

The main character of this poem, written by the ,


famous 20th century Serbian poet and illustrator, 20. ,
is a noodle. He escapes through a kitchen window, , .
goes out into the world and has many adventures.
At the end of this book there is a recipe for making
noodles, so you can try it out yourself! .
, , !

the world through picture books books from serbia 116


7
Simeon Marinkovi Duan Pavli, ill.
... [What Ana KnowsGood Neighbours]
, 2008 ISBN 978-86-7781-514-1

This series of lift the flap picture books What


Ana knows is made for the youngest readers. ..., ,
Together with little Ana, through ten everyday ,
situations, children will learn how to behave with . ,
their neighbours, and why it is so important to ,
treat others in the same way that you yourself
would like to be treated.
.

8
Brana Cvetkovi Biljana Labovi, ill.
[The Blowflys Palace]
, 2006 ISBN 978-86-7781-056-6

This story, based on a Serbian folk tale, features


as its characters a blowfly, a mosquito, a frog, ,
a rabbit and a bear. Its repetitive and exciting , , , ,
rhythm will hypnotize the youngest readers and
make them want to hear the story over and over .
again.
,
.

9
Arsen Dikli Dobrosav Bob ivkovi, ill.
[Blue Whale]
, 2009 ISBN 978-86-7781-047-4

As a child, the famous Serbian poet Arsen Dikli ,


loved spending time by the river Gacka, where
he also kept his own boat hidden. When he grew , ,
up, his love of the river inspired him to write .
many poems and stories. The Blue Whale, one of ,
his most beautiful poems, is a thrilling tale of a ,
grumpy sailor and a big blue whale who endures ,
his taunting, until one day when he loses his
temper ...

10
Gordana Maleti Ana Grigorjev, ill.
[The Hedgehog and the Fox]
Evro-Giunti, 2010 ISBN 978-86-505-0535-9

Charming and amusing illustrations in this


illustrated book embellish the stories about the .
adventures of those who inhabit the edge of
the forest. These are the well known characters ,
from popular tales- the fox, the bear, the wolf
and many others... As always, their encounters .
in tales finish with the victory of the weaker but
wiser, so the children can learn that wisdom
triumphs over force.

the world through picture books books from serbia 117


Books from
Contact: Ian Yap
Ian_YAP@nlb.gov.sg

Singapore
The books included in the top ten list for Singapore were chosen for inclusion
because they are:
Books that feature Singapore and/or its diverse culture
Books with universal values such as friendship, love, family, etc.
Of good qualityin writing and illustrations (not didactic in the telling)
Childrens perennial favourites (e.g. Mooty)
Most of the books featured have received awards such as First Time Writers
and Illustrators award, Hedwig Anuar award or in the case of Emily Lims book,
Independent Publishers Book Award (IPPY Awards) Bronze medal in the
Childrens Picturebook category.

1 Adeline Foo Lee Kowling, ill.


The beaded slippers
Booksmith, 2008 ISBN 9789810808044

Puteh lives in a huge house with her room unlocked. As both Mama and Amah are
grandmother, Mama, and their servant, Amah. busy, shesneaks into the room and discovers
There are 4 rooms in the house, one for each something special about the room.
ofthem. But, the last room remains unoccupied. Follow Puteh and learn about the Peranakan
Not only that, it is always locked. Amah calls world through the illustrations and facts in
it the haunted room in the hope of scaring this book. With the inclusion of a glossary of
Puteh but that only triggers Putehs curiosity Peranakan terms used for a better understanding,
even more. One day, she chances on the this will definitely be an informative read.

2 Shamini Flint Alpana Ahuja, ill.


Sasha visits Singapore
Sunbear Pub, 2006 ISBN 9789810565404

Sasha is in Singapore, and she is in for a treat. Tag along with Sasha and you will get a chance
Follow her through a bumboat ride, the MRT to visit Singapores famous attractions all in
and even a zebra-striped train! As she explores oneday. The illustrations capture the essence
vibrant Singapore, she meets the famous Merlion, ofSingapore very well.
the white tigers in the Singapore Zoo and even
aLion Dance.

the world through picture books books from singapore 118


3
Belinda Chan Lynette Long, ill.
Ah Kongs clock
Straits Times Press Children, 2009 ISBN 9789814266376

Ah Kongs clock has been with the family for family. But one day, the clock stops! Is it trying
many generations. It is a friend as well as a totell us something?
member of the family. Day after day, the clock This is a great book, and also suitable for parents
ticks on faithfully, telling everyone the time and to emphasize to their child on the importance
going through important occasions with the oftime.

4
Jin Pyn
The elephant and the tree
Epigram Books, 2006 ISBN 9789810561024

This story features a unique relationship playground to humans. The elephant is shot
between an elephant and a tree. They are the and the tree chopped down. With one chained
best offriends. The story begins with a young and the other bound, they recount the happy
elephant who loves wandering free. Yet he will memories of the time they were both free.
always go back to the same tree. He goes to This heart-warming adventure tells of how the
the tree to scratch his itching body and to share friendship between the elephant and the tree
stories. As the years go by, they lose their natural stands the test of time.

5 Lynn Lee Phua San San, ill.


I dont want Mei Mei anymore!
Straits Times Press, 2008 ISBN 9789814266062

This book is about Mark and his baby sister ababy factory where Mark gets to exchange Mei
whom he calls Mei Mei. One day, Mark gets very Mei for another baby. Will he find the perfect
angry and declares that he does not want Mei baby? A simple yet beautiful story about sibling
Mei anymore. They sit in Marks rocket and take relationships.
off on an adventure. They land right in front of

6
By Emily Lim Neal Sharp, ill.
Prince bear & pauper bear
Mustard Seed Books, 2007 ISBN 9789810590048

Prince Bear and Pauper Bear belong to the same afterwards. Pauper Bear is given to a boy without
toy store but they look very different. While much money. The grateful boy fixes his eyes and
Prince Bear has matching eyes and a mouth, an mouth and plays with him daily.
armour with his name on it and wears a crown A story that highlights the values of empathy,
and cape, Pauper Bear is plain with mismatched compassion and friendship. It is accompanied
eyes and no mouth. Prince Bear is bought by bychild-like illustrations with gentle and
a girl who loves him initially but neglects him cheerfulcolours.

the world through picture books books from singapore 119


7
David Seow Enrico Sallustio, ill.
Blow a kiss
Bonnie Books, 2010 ISBN 9789810824938

This heart-warming story starts with a simple much joy a blown kiss can bring to others.
thought: Can you blow a kiss? Get ready, get set, Theillustrations are charming; colourful with soft
blow! Now lets see where your little kiss will go. shades and full of expression! They enhance the
It then takes the readers imagination across vivid pictures that come to mind when reading
various countries and cultures, following the the verses. The kiss finally lands in Singapore
pathway of the blown kiss. andits the readers turn to pass on the message
With rhyming text, this story shows how of love and happiness - blow a kiss!

8
Sharon Ismail Khairudin Saharom, ill.
What Sallamah didnt know
Candid Kids, 2007 ISBN 9789810589943

Set in early Singapore, this true story tells when she found out, by accident, that she was
ofagirls journey in discovering and accepting in fact adopted and of Chinese heritage. Soon,
that she is an adopted child. It all began with she learnt that some of her other siblings were
a Chinese baby girl who was given to a Malay also adopted as babies and were also of different
family to raise as their own. The baby was named races. This is a heartwarming story, beautifully
Sallamah and grew up happily amongst her written by the protagonists daughter of
many siblings in a close knit kampong (Malay true love and kinship, regardless of the colour
for village). Her happiness finds an abrupt end ofonesskin.

9 Jessie Wee Kwan Shan Mei, ill.


The adventures of Mooty
Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009 ISBN 9789814276559

Mooty is a mouse who lives in Grandmas house The whole set is entertaining with Mooty getting
but he is forced to move out when Grandma gets married and having a baby at the end of the
a cat. He finds a big hollow tree and calls it his series. The illustrations are cute and children
new house. He then makes friends with other will especially get attracted to adorable Mooty
creatures ants, lizards, birds and frogs. Mootys inhissarong attire.
adventures come in five books with tenstories.

10
Yixian Quek Grace Duan Ying, ill.
The Book that was Handed Down
Straits Times Press, 2008 ISBN 9789814266055

Ping is always getting hand-me-downs from ahighly original picturebook, simple yet brilliantly
her brother Ming, including this book. She does put together to carry the story through its
not like the book at all, that is until her brother illustrations. It won the inaugural Hedwig Anuar
shares the hidden wonders of stories. This is Award in May 2011.

the world through picture books books from singapore 120


Books from
Contact: Jay Heale
jayheale@afrihost.co.za

South Africa
The main deliberation was done by Jay Heale and Lona Gericke who are widely
considered to be the top authorities on childrens literature in South Africa
on(respectively) English and Afrikaans books. Additional input was received
by a number of librarians in public and school libraries.

1
Ingrid Mennen & Niki Daly Nicolaas Maritz, ill.
Ashraf of Africa
Shuter & Shooter Songololo Books, 1990 ISBN 9781919888057

A bright picture book to correct the popular view wild animals is inside books. So he walks through
of Africa as a vast savannah roaming with lions! the streets to the public library, where he renews
Ashraf is an African boy of today. He lives in the his favourite book about wild animals. Bold,
city of Cape Town and the only place he has seen simplistic pictures by a renowned local artist.

2
Christopher Gregorowski Niki Daly, ill.
Fly, Eagle, Fly!
Tafelberg, 2000 ISBN 9780624039037

A farmer finds an eagle chick and puts it with notto the earth but to the sky. Eventually
his chickens where it learns to live like a chicken hetakes the eagle (and the protesting farmer)
and, as the farmer insists, it even thinks like a upa mountain. There, the eagle sweeps
chicken. A friend tries three times to persuade up intothe sky, never again to live among
the young eagle to fly, urging it You belong thechickens.

3
Antjie Krog (English text by Gus Ferguson) Fiona Moodie, ill.
Fynbosfeetjies [Fynbos Faeries]
Umuzi, 2007 ISBN 9781415200223

Totally different from the delicate Flower Fairies sheer brilliance. Fiona Moodie has provided
of Cicely Mary Barker, these South African floral ourchildren with a pictorial encyclopedia
spirits are modern and with-it. The Erica fairies ofthefynbos: its inhabitants, its varied plants
wear jeans and Grandma Geranium smokes andwinged visitors. A storming, stunning book.
apipe. The Afrikaans verses of Antjie Krog are

the world through picture books books from south africa 121
4
Wendy Hartmann Joan Rankin, ill.
Just Sisi
Human & Rousseau, 2010 ISBN 9780798152198

Sisi is a small rabbit with floppy ears but could goodnight. Joan Rankins artwork is outstanding,
be any and every small girl. Five deceptively with so much thought to space, page position,
simple stories: a journey past unseen African character, humour, reader reaction. The text
dangers, a surprise party, painting the wall of isminimal. The impact maximum.
Gogos house, welcoming Dad home and saying

5
Maria Hendriks Piet Grobler, ill.
Makwelane En Die Krokodil [Makwelane and the Crocodile]
Human & Rousseau, 2004 ISBN 9780798144612

This is a big, bold, laugh-making, Africa-loving thereisthe need to be wary of danger. Piet
picture book about a girl outwitting a crocodile. Groblers exuberant artwork frolics around the
In amongst the everyday rural necessities large pages with zest and skill, full of the flavour
offetching water, washing clothes, pounding and humour of Africa.
maize meal and, of course, making music,

6
Wendy Hartmann Marjorie van Heerden, ill.
Nina and Little Duck
Human & Rousseau, 2007 ISBN 9780798148245

This is sheer pleasure. A large-paged picture- Thewhole feeling is of life and love, personified
book collection of read-aloud stories interspersed bytwo vigorous youngsters, Nina and Simon,
with rippling verses, all enlivened and enloved butcentred around the mother figure of
byMarjorie van Heerdens illustrations. LittleDuck.

7
Sindiwe Magona Paddy Bouma, ill.
The Best Meal Ever
Tafelberg, 2006 ISBN 9780624042549

Siziwe is looking after her four younger brothers younger ones gradually fall asleep as they wait.
and sisters in Guguletu, with both parents ThenSiziwe falls to her knees and prays: Thank
away. There is no food in the house nothing. you, Father in Heaven, for the gift of hope. This
In desperation she heats up a pot of water, was the best meal ever! But, Lord, can you send
and adds salt and pepper, stirring until the us a different one, tomorrow?

the world through picture books books from south africa 122
8
Elinor Batezat Sisulu Sharon Wilson, ill.
The Day Gogo went to Vote
Tafelberg, 1996 ISBN 9780624035484

This heart-warming picture book records the whohas waited all her long life for this
occasion when a nation stood in line to vote opportunity and insists in going to the ballot box
inSouth Africas first democratic election. in spite of the problems of transport and old age.
ElinorSisulu follows Gogo, a grandmother, Illustrated inbold, impressive colour.

the world through picture books books from south africa 123
Books from
Contact: Ingrid Kallstrom
ingrid.kallstrom@stockholm.se

Sweden
Childrens librarians nominated their favourite titles and a list was made
ofthese nominations. Voting was then done by email and the ten titles with
the most votes became the list from Sweden.

1
Gunilla Bergstrm
Raska p, Alfons berg [Hurry up Alfie Atkins]
Raben & Sjstrm, 1976 ISBN 9789 12 967 1254

It is a busy morning. Alfie and daddy are doing Det r morgon och Alfons och pappa har brttom.
all the things you have todo before leaving your Det r mycket som ska gras innan de kan ge sig av
home after breakfast. Hurry up Alfie, says daddy. hemmifrn. Raska p, Alfons, sger pappa. Det r dags
Itistime to go to pre-school. But Alfie just has att g till dagis. Men Alfons ska bara fixa ngra saker
todo a couple of things before they can go. frst. Raska p!
Hurryup!

2 Elsa Beskow
Sagan om den lilla, lilla gumman [The tale of the little, little old woman]
Bonnier Carlsen, 1897 ISBN 9789 16 385 8260 ISBN 9789 16 381 2675 ISBN 9789 18 563 3449

This is one of the classic Swedish picture books. Det hr r en svensk bilderboksklassiker. Berttelsen
The simple story is based on a rhyme the author r enkel och bygger p en ramsa som frfattaren fick
heard as a child. It is about an old woman who hra som barn. Den handlar om en liten, liten gumma
lives with her cow and her cat. It has easy som bor i ett liten, liten stuga, med sin lilla, lilla ko och
repetitions and a slightly dramatic ending. sin lilla, lilla katt. Upprepningarna r enkla slutet r
lite dramatiskt.

3
Lotta Geffenblad
Astons stenar [The stones of Aston]
Bonnier Carlsen, 2005 ISBN 9789 16 384 6052 ISBN 9789 16 385 5016 ISBN 9789 17 221 4897

Aston is a dog. He collects stones. He thinks the Anton r en hund. Han samlar p stenar. Han tror
stones are lonely and cold. He feels sorry for them att stenarna r ensamma och kalla. Han tycker synd
and brings them all to his home. After a while om dem och tar med sig alla hem. Efter ett tag tycker
hisparents think Aston has too many stones. frldrarna att Aston har fr mnga stenar. Det
Itgets too crowded. Hereisatask to solve. har blivit fr trngt. Vad ska Aston gra med alla
stenarna?

the world through picture books books from sweden 124


4
Pija Lindenbaum
Gittan och Grvargarna [Bridget and the grey wolves]
Raben & Sjgren, 2000 ISBN 9789 12 965 5087 ISBN 9789 12 964 8843

Gittans is taking a walk in the woods with her Gittan r p utflykt i skogen med sitt dagis. Hon gr
kindergarten. She gets lost and cannot find the vilse och kan inte hitta varken frken eller de andra
teachers and the rest of the children. But she barnen. Istllet hittar hon vargar som blir hennes vnner.
finds some wolves and makes friends with them.

5
Barbro Lindgren Eva Eriksson, ill.
Mamman och den vilda bebin [The wild baby]
Raben & Sjgren, 1994 ISBN 9789 12 962 8593

The little baby is wild and doing crazy things Den lilla bebin r vild och gr tokigheter hela tiden.
all the time. He makes up things and is very Han hittar p saker och r full av upptg. Hans
adventurous. His mummy is having a tough time mamma har fullt upp att hlla reda p honom.
taking care of him. The story is written with Berttelsen r p rim.
rhymes.

6 Jan Lf
Sagan om det rda pplet [The story of the red apple]
Bonnier Carlsen, 1974 ISBN 9789 16 382 6733 ISBN 9789 16 386 5329

A man in a striped suit puts an apple in the En man I en randig kostym lgger ett pple i sitt
window. The apple falls out. Thebook tells the fnster. pplet trillar ut. Boken handlar om allt
story about everything thats happening to the som pplet stller till med och allt som det fr
apple andits escapades. vara med om. Roliga ventyr, spnnande hndelser
ochfantastiska upplevelser.

7
Ulf Nilsson Anna-Clara Tidholm, ill.
Adj Herr Muffin [Goodbye, Mr Muffin]
Bonnier Carlsen, 2002 ISBN 9789 16 386 4681 ISBN 9789 16 384 5939

An old guineapig looks back. He has had a long Ett gammalt marsvin minns. Han har haft ett lngt
and joyful life. He had abeautiful wife and nice och lyckligt liv. Han hade en vacker fru och sta barn.
children. They were a happy family. In the end De var en lycklig familj. Nu har marsvinet ont i magen.
hecloses his eyes and his family arranges his I slutet av berttelsen dr marsvinet och personerna
funeral. som han bor hos ordnar hans begravning. Vackert och
stmningsfullt.

the world through picture books books from sweden 125


8
Sven Nordqvist
Pannkakstrtan [The birthday cake]
Opal, 1984 ISBN 9789 17 712 3354

The old man lives in a house in the countryside Gubben bor p landet med sin katt. Katten r mycket
with his cat. The cat is very special. He wants to speciell. Han vill fira sin fdelsedag tre gnger om ret.
celebrate his birthday three times a year. Here is Det hr r ett sdant speciellt tillflle. Frberedelserna
one ofthose occasions. A lot of preparations have r mnga. Tur att katten r s phittig och finurlig.
to be done.

9 Anna-Clara Tidholm
Knacka p [Knock, knock knock!]
Alfabeta, 1992 ISBN 9789 17 712 3354

Knock on the blue door and enter the house. Knacka p den bla drren och kliv in I huset!
Together we knock on all different doors, open Tillsammans knackar vi p alla de olika drrarna,
them and see what is behind them. Together we ppnar dem och ser vad som finns bakom. Tillsammans
say hello to the figures we find in the rooms. This sger vi hej till de olika sakerna som finns i rummen.
is a story for young children. Det hr r en berttelse fr de allra minsta.

10
Stina Wirsn
Vem bestmmer? [Who is deciding?]
BonnierCarlsen, 2006 ISBN 9789 16 385 0905

The little teddy and the big teddy are having a Lilla nallen och stora nallen har det mysigt och lser
good time reading a story. But soon they start to saga. Pltsligt blir det brkigt. Vem har rtt att
fuss. Who has the right to decide? Small teddy? bestmma? Lilla Nallen? Stora Nallen? Det hr r en
Bigteddy? This is a story for young children. berttelse fr de allra minsta.

the world through picture books books from sweden 126


Books from
Contact: Ruth Fassbind
ruth.fassbind@bibliomedia.ch

Switzerland
The selection of titles from all four language areas in Switzerland was chosen
by Bibliomedia Switzerland and the Swiss Institute for Children and Youth
Media, SIKJM. Bibliomedia Switzerland is a nationwide resource library for
libraries and SIKJM supports libraries by offering courses and projects in the
area of childrens and youth literature. At the basis of the choice of titles was
a comprehensive knowledge of the Swiss childrens book literary scene in all
four national languages as well as a good interconnection with public libraries
in Switzerland. Both institutions collaborate closely with librarians of all four
parts of the country.
Many Swiss authors and illustrators rely on publishers abroad (Germany,
France, and Italy). Since Switzerland is a small country, there are just very few
publishers and an even smaller number of them produce childrens books
(in the Italian speaking part of Switzerland there is no publisher at all). This
circumstance is thus reflected in this selection.

1
Kthi Bhend Evelyne Hasler, ill.
Im Traum kann ich fliegen [In my dreams I can fly]
NordSd 2008 ISBN 978-3-314-01598-4

Autumn. A grub, two worms, a bug and a Ein Engerling, zwei Wrmer, ein Kfer und eine Raupe
caterpillar furnish their underground winter richten im Herbst in der Erde ihr Winterlager ein.
quarters. Apart from the caterpillar, everyone Ausser der Raupe haben alle Vorrte fr den Winter
has collected supplies for the winter. I dont gesammelt: Ich brauche nichts zu essen, ich brauche
need anything to eat, the only thing I need are nur Trume, sagt diese und verpuppt sich. Die
my dreams says the caterpillar and pupates. The anderen Freunde spielen zum Zeitvertreib Karten und
other friends play cards to pass the time and they kommen gut durch den Winter. Sollte das Futter knapp
get through the winter safely. If food became werden, ist da ja auch noch die eiserne Reserve des
scarce they would still have the bugs assets of Kfers, eine riesige Zwiebel. An ihr nagt der Engerling
the last resort, a huge onion. Illicitly, the grub eines Tages verbotenerweise und sie bricht entzwei.
gnaws at it one day, and the onion breaks in two. Dennoch wchst im Frhling aus der Zwiebel eine rote
In springtime, nevertheless, a red tulip grows Tulpe und die Raupe hat sich in einen wunderschnen
out of the onion and the caterpillar has turned Schmetterling verwandelt.
into a beautiful butterfly. In my dreams I can fly Im Traum kann ich fliegen erzhlt von Geheimnissen
tells a story about underground secrets and the unter der Erde und dem Erwachen der Natur im
awakening of nature in the spring. Illustrator Frhling. Kthi Bhend zeichnet diese Welt in erdnahen
Kthi Bhend depicts this world in earthy colours Farben und mit filigranem Strich. Sie reichert die
and with a delicate stroke of the brush. She Geschichten dieser fantastischen Erdbewohner mit
enriches the stories of the fanciful underground witzigen Details an und ldt so zu wunderbaren
animals with funny details and thus invites the Entdeckungsreisen ein.
reader to wonderful voyages of discovery.

the world through picture books books from switzerland 127


2
Albertine
Marta et la bicyclette [Marta and her bicycle]
La Joie de Lire, 1999 ISBN 978-2-88258-467-0

Cow Marta is orange instead of black and white, La vache Marta est orange au lieu de lhabituel noir et
but that is not the only difference between her blanc tachet. Mais ce nest pas la seule singularit qui
and her fellow cows in the meadow. She dreams la distingue de ses collgues de lalpage. Elle rve de
about participating in the next bicycle race. participer la prochaine course de vlo. Mais pour cela
However, she needs a bike for that. Persistently, elle a besoin dun vlo. Marta poursuit obstinment
Marta pursues her goal, from old parts of metal son but et bricole de vieilles pices quelle assemble, et
she jury-rigs a bike and starts to exercise. All commence sentrainer. Son apprentissage est difficile,
beginnings are difficult but very soon, Marta gets mais elle prend peu peu de lassurance et tente ses
more confident and starts to practise her first premires acrobaties. Au bout dun an, elle sinscrit la
feats. One year later, she enrols for the big bicycle grande course et ds le dpart tourne frntiquement
race and starts pedalling like crazy. She crosses les pdales. Et cest en vainqueur que Marta franchit la
the finish line with a huge head start. Albertine ligne darrive avec une grande avance sur le peloton.
is one of the most popular childrens books Albertine est lune des illustratrices de livres pour
artists in Western (francophone) Switzerland. enfants les plus connues de Suisse romande. Pour son
In 1999, she received a Golden Apple for her premier album avec sa vache philosophe, Marta et la
first storybook Marta and her bicycle featuring a bicyclette, elle reoit en 1999 une Pomme dor de la
philosophising cow at the Biennale of Illustration BIB (Biennale de lillustration de Bratislava).
in Bratislava.

3
Vera Eggermann, Ulrich Kleb
Das Buchstabenmonster [The Letter Monster]
Atlantis im Orell Fssli, 2010 ISBN 978-3-7152-0433-8

Mister Dot collects letters and words. If he Herr Punkt sammelt Buchstaben und Wrter. Wenn
doesnt know a word, he asks his friend Bird. er ein Wort nicht kennt, fragt er seinen Freund Vogel.
For Bird knows all the letters and all the words. Denn Vogel kennt alle Buchstaben und alle Wrter.
One day, however, the Letter Monster appears. Doch eines Tages kommt das Buchstabenmonster.
Its appetite for letters and words of all kind Sein Appetit auf Buchstaben und Wrter aller Art
is insatiable. It erodes all letters. Mister Dots ist unermesslich. Es frisst alle Wrter weg. Herrn
collection of words is destroyed and the people Punkts Sammlung ist zerstrt und die Menschen
are left without language. Therefore, new words bleiben ohne Sprache. Darum mssen neue Wrter
have to be invented and foreign words are erfunden werden, Fremdwrter werden per Schiff
imported by ships. geliefert. Aber alles ntzt nicht, das Monster frisst
But it is no use, the monster keeps on eroding. weiter. Was kann man da machen? Vogel weiss die
What can be done? Bird knows the answer: the Lsung das Monster muss gekitzelt werden, damit
monster has to be tickled in order to spit out the es die verschlungenen Wrter wieder ausspuckt. Vera
swallowed words. Vera Eggermanns letters are Eggermanns Figuren agieren auf weissem Grund, die
acting on a white background. Thus, the black schwarzen Buchstaben erscheinen so lebendig und
letters seems so vivid and whet the appetite for a greifbar und machen Lust, Sprache spielerisch zu
playful discovery of language. erkunden.

the world through picture books books from switzerland 128


4
Lorenz Pauli Kathrin Schrer, ill.
Pippilothek??? [Pippilothek ???]
Atlantis im Orell Fssli, 2012 ISBN 978-3-7152-0620-2

This wonderful storybook whets ones appetite Lust auf einen Bibliotheksbesuch, aber vor allem Lust
for reading. Kathrin Schrers expressive pictures aufs Bcherlesen macht dieses wunderbare Bilderbuch
featuring a mainly red and black background des bewhrten Autoren-/Illustratorenduos. Die
tell a fox and mouse tale of a different kind: a ausdrucksstarken Bilder Kathrin Schrers erzhlen
hungry fox chases after a mouse into a library. vor einem vor allem in Rot und Schwarz gehaltenen
To distract the fox, the mouse brings him a Hintergrund ein Fuchs- und Mausspiel der besonderen
picture book. The fox delves into the book and is Art: Ein gieriger Fuchs schiesst hinter einer Maus her
all excited. The following nights the fox returns in die Bibliothek. Um ihn von sich abzulenken, schleppt
to the library, crazy about reading new stories. die Maus ein Bilderbuch an. Der Fuchs vertieft sich in
Pippilothek??? humorously portrays the magical das Buch und ist begeistert. In den folgenden Nchten
attraction of a library. It is a declaration of love kehrt er wieder, wild auf Geschichten. Pippilothek???
for reading and for places where undisturbed portrtiert humorvoll die magische Anziehungskraft
reading is possible. einer Bibliothek. Eine Liebeserklrung an das Lesen und
an Orte, an denen dieses ungestrt mglich ist.

5
Nicolas Robel
Le Tigre bleu [The Blue Tiger]
La Joie de Lire, 2002 ISBN 978-2-88258-221-8

Geneva-based comics artist Nicolas Robel Lauteur de bande dessine genevois Nicolas Robel sait
knows how to tell great picture stories for young sy prendre pour raconter de belles histoires pour les
children. The story about Paul for instance, who petits. Par exemple celle de Paul, qui se sent souvent
often feels lonely because his mother works all seul, parce que sa mre doit aller travailler. Paul vous
day. He has to share his fears and sorrows with fera partager ses peurs et ses angoisses au travers de
his stuffed animals and finger puppets. ses animaux en peluche et marionnettes doigt. Robel
Robel reveals Pauls power and impotence montre la puissance et limpuissance de Paul avec des
with a constant change of perspective and the changements de perspective et de couleurs darrire-
alteration of the background colours. The reader plan. Il permet au lecteur de comprendre comment
comprehends how strongly Paul relies on his Paul sappuie sur ses amies marionnettes et quel
puppet friends and what a huge step it is for him point cest une grande tape pour lui de laisser la fille
to let the girl next door take part in his games. du voisin jouer ses jeux. La mre de Paul soutient
Another strong point of the book is the fact that son fils dans ce processus de maturation. Son thtre
Pauls mother supports her son in this maturity de marionnettes vu travers lui est toujours pris
process, sees through his puppet theatre, but au srieux. Cest un autre point fort de cet ouvrage.
still takes him seriously. For Le Tigre bleu, Nicolas Nicolas Robel a reu pour Le Tigre bleu le Prix suisse
Robel was awarded with the Swiss Childrens and Jeunesse et Mdias en 2005.
Youth Media Price in 2003.

the world through picture books books from switzerland 129


6
Peter Stamm Hannes Binder, ill.
Heidi
Nagel & Kimche, 2008 ISBN 978-3-312-00982-4

Johanna Spyris Heidi was published in 1879 and Johanna Spyris Heidi erschien 1879 und hat sich
has since sold over 50 million copies. Heidi has seither ber fnfzig Millionen Mal verkauft. Heidi
become a film star, a comic figure, and a musical ist ein Filmstar, eine Comic- und Musical-Figur
performer. geworden. Der Autor Peter Stamm erzhlt Spyris
In a straightforward language author Peter Geschichte um das fnfjhrige Waisenmdchen, das
Stamm narrates Spyris story about the five- bei seinem Grossvater hi auf der Alp lebt, bis es ins
year-old orphan girl who lives on an alp with Frankfurter Exil verschickt wird, in schnrkelloser
her granddad until she is sent away to Frankfurt. Sprache nach. Sein Heidi ist kein Naturmdchen, das
Stamms Heidi is not a nature girl who suffers an der Grossstadt leidet, sondern ein Kind, das in der
from living in a big city but a child that gets Fremde an Heimweh erkrankt und darum verstummt.
homesick far away from her alp and subsequently Auch Hannes Binders Illustrationen verweigern sich in
lapses into silence. With their documental ihrem dokumentarischen Ansatz jeder Idylle. Er whlt
approach, Hannes Binders illustrations deny fr die Bergwelt weite, breite Ansichten, fr Frankfurt
any idyll. In his pictures, Binder chooses wide, vertikal, in Panels unterteilte Bildrume, die die das
broad frames for the mountains, vertical ones for hektische Stadtleben draussen und Heidis Innenwelt
Frankfurt, and subdivided spaces to reflect the spiegeln und schafft so mal um mal Gegenbilder zum
hectic city life as well as Heidis inner world. Thus, gngigen, medial kolportierten Heidibild.
he constantly dissects the well-known, popular
image of Heidi.

7
Selina Chnz Alois Carigiet, ill.
Uorsin (in Puter Rhaeto-Romanic) / Ursin (in Sursilvan Rhaeto-Romanic)
[A Bell for Ursli]
Lia Rumantscha, 1983

The internationally most renowned Swiss Il cudesch illustr svizzer il pli enconuschent sin plaun
storybook tells the story of Bell-Ursli and his internaziunal raquinta listorgia dad Ursin che va a
search for the biggest cow bell so he can march la tschertga da la pli gronda plumpa. Quella dovra
at the front of the parade and banish winter elper pudair star a la testa dal cortegi da primavaira
with the ring of his bell at the spring celebration Chalandamarz che duai cun ses sclingiez stgatschar
Chalandamarz. To obtain the biggest cow bell, lenviern. Senza infurmar ses geniturs decida el dad ir
he secretly mounts to his parents chalet through ad acla. El va tras naiv e glatsch e passenta ina notg
deep snow and spends a lonely night up there. solitaria en la tegia da culm. Cura che Ursin returna
When Ursli returns the next day with his big bell, lauter di cun la plumpa, sallegran ils geniturs che
his parents, who were worrying all night, are nhan da spir quitads betg sav durmir.
relieved. In 1945, the story of Uorsin, written by Il 1945 cumparida listorgia dad Ursin da la
Selina Chnz from Engadine, was published. The scriventa engiadinaisa Selina Chnz ch daventada
book that is illustrated by Alois Carigiet has come grazia a las illustraziuns da lartist Aluis Carigiet
to world fame. Ursli is the hero of this story about enconuschenta en tut il mund. Ursin lerox da
departure and homecoming, about autonomous questa istorgia davart il scappar e turnar a chasa,
actions and the proving of oneself. Due to Alois lagir autonom ed il sa cumprovar. Entras ils maletgs
Carigiets expressive images the story of Ursli and expressivs dad Aluis Carigiet listorgia dad Ursin in
his bell is a monument of Swiss artwork in the monument da la grafica svizra dal 20avel tschientaner.
twentieth century. In 1996, the artist received the Per sias illustraziuns da cudeschs duffants
Hans Christian Andersen Award for his storybook lartist vegn undr il 1996 cun il Hans Christian
artwork. AndersenAward.

the world through picture books books from switzerland 130


8
Hans Fischer
Pitschi. Das Ktzchen, das immer etwas anderes wollte. Eine traurige
Geschichte, die aber gut aufhrt. [Pitschi. A kitten who always wanted
something else. A sad story with a happy end]
NordSd, 1993 ISBN 978-0-7358-2278-8

Pitschi is not only the smallest of the five kittens Pitschi ist nicht nur das kleinste der fnf Katzenkinder,
living in old Lisettes house, it also wants to play die bei der alten Lisette wohnen, es will auch etwas
something completely different and test new roles. anderes spielen, neue Rollen ausprobieren. Seine
Its attempts to be a different animal always fail Versuche, ein anderes Tier zu sein, scheitern stets
according to the same pattern. These repetitions nach dem gleichen Muster. Diese Wiederholungen
enable children to marvel at Pitschis untiring ermglichen Kindern, ber Pitschis unermdlichen
courage and, at the same time, they provide them Mut zu staunen, und zugleich geben sie ihnen das
with previous knowledge that allows the reader to Vorwissen, das Distanz erlaubt. Pitschis Missgeschicke
keep a certain distance. Pitschis mishaps are not sind nicht einfach Leidensgeschichten, hier ist der
simply tales of woe its deviations from the norm Normbruch und das Grenz-berschreiten auch Anlass
and transgression of limits bring fun and humour zu Humor. Pitschis Geschichte ist kindernah, weil
into the story. Pitschis story is child-friendly sie berschaubare Situationen vorfhrt. Sie ist aber
because it presents straightforward situations. zugleich auch welthaltig, weil hier ein Knstler sich
It is also world-encompassing because there is selbst bleibt und fr konkrete Kinder arbeitet, fr
an artist who remains true to himself and works seine eigenen Kinder. Dass eine Katze das Spiel der
for a specific audience: his own children. It is not Identittssuche spielt, ist kein Zufall. Katzen sind ein
a coincidence that a cat is playing the game of Urthema des Knstlers, das er in unzhligen Skizzen,
identity search. Cats are an abiding theme in Hans Radierungen oder Lithographien umgesetzt hat. Das
Fischers works, he depicts them in numerous 1948 erstmals erschienene Bilderbuch zhlt zu den
sketches, etchings, and lithographs. Pitschi, first Klassikern des Schweizer Bilderbuchschaffens, mit dem
published in 1948, belongs to the classics of Swiss Generationen von Kindern aufgewachsen sind und
picture book writing. Generations of children have immer noch aufwachsen.
grown up with it - and still are.

9
Azouz Begag Catherine Louis , ill.
Ma maman est devenue une toile [My mother became a star]
La Joie de Lire, 2007 ISBN 978-2-88258-384-0

When mother was still alive, she promised her Quand maman tait en vie, elle a promis sa fille de
little daughter that she would accompany her laccompagner o quelle aille. Maintenant, la petite
wherever she would go. Now the little girl is sitting fille est assise avec son pre dans lglise et supporte
in church with her father, enduring the funeral avec rsignation le service funbre de sa dfunte
service for her deceased mother. Both are crying. mre. Les deux pleurent. Le prtre parle de choses
The priest is talking about things the girl does not que la petite fille ne comprend pas. Elle commence
understand. That is why she begins to explain to alors se raconter ce quelle voit, ce quelle ressent,
herself what she sees, what she feels, what she ce quelle comprend, ce quelle imagine- et trouve des
understands and what she imagines and she explications pour toutes les choses, que les adultes
manages to find explanations for all the things the ne peuvent lui donner: Vos yeux sont rougis et
adults are unable to communicate. Their eyes are humides. Vous tes tous fchs. Vous narrtez pas de
reddened and wet. They all have a cold. They wont pester . Dans sa pense, la crmonie funraire se
stop blowing their noses. In the girls mind, the transforme en une histoire fantastique et sa maman
funeral service becomes a fantastic story and her en une toile. la fin des funrailles, la jeune fille
mummy becomes a star. At the end of the funeral pense encore que sa maman va revenir. Mais maman
the girl still believes that her mother is going to disparat dans un cercueil et papa est toujours trs
come back. But mummy disappears in a coffin and triste.
daddy is still very sad. Catherine Louis, an illustrator
from the French-speaking part of Switzerland,
illustrates this sad and comical story by the French
writer Azouz Begag by using colourful, abstract,
impressionistic pictures that match the girls
imagination: a blotch of colour here, a corner of a
coffin or a piece of stained glass there.

the world through picture books books from switzerland 131


10
Valrie Losa
Sapore Italiano. Piccole Storie di Pranzi domenicali
[A taste of Italy. Littlestories about Italian Sunday meals]
ZOOlibri, 2010 ISBN 978-88-88254-57-9

For several months, illustrator Valrie Losa Lillustratrice Valrie Losa per alcuni mesi ha
visited Italian migrants living in Switzerland. She frequentato famiglie di emigranti italiani che vivono
participated in their Sunday meals, she observed in Svizzera, partecipando al pranzo domenicale; li ha
the families, took photos, and drew the people. In osservati, disegnati, e fotografati. In Sapore italiano
the picture book Sapore Italiano she revives these ha raccolto lessenza di questi incontri. Ciconduce
meetings. She takes us along to a family home in una famiglia intenta a preparare il pranzo
where the Sunday meal is being prepared, she domenicale: una celebrazione della tradizione culinaria.
celebrates cooking traditions, she brings kitchen Lillustratrice ci restituisce i profumi della cucina
smells alive, and depicts impressively how the attraverso immagini evocative che mostrano come sia
families are trying to keep strong ties with their importante per queste famiglie mantenere il contatto
native country and their country of origin by con le proprie radici attraverso il rito del pranzo in
gathering at the table and sharing Sunday meals. comune. Per valorizzare il ricordo del passato, Valrie
For the topic of memory, the artist chooses a Losa ha scelto della carta trasparente color seppia
multi-layered sepia-coloured transparent paper, che ha dipinto con diversi strati di colore. Una tecnica
a technique that corresponds with the nostalgic che corrisponde appieno ai ricordi nostalgici degli
memories of the migrants and at the same emigranti lasciando, nello stesso tempo, trasparire la
time shows their fragility. Losa does not only loro fragilit. Losa, per, non ci racconta solo il lato
present idylls, however: the daily life in the new idilliaco di queste famiglie. Raffigura anche le loro
home country and the often difficult process of fragilit, la loro vita quotidiana a contatto con la realt
integration is brought up as well as the fact that di un nuovo paese, il processo a volte difficoltoso
social changes have taken place both in Italy and dellintegrazione e i cambiamenti sociali intercorsi sia
in Switzerland and little has stayed the same. in Svizzera sia in Italia. Per illustrare questaspetto
For this topic, Losa uses coloured pen and ink lillustratrice usa la colorazione a china; una tecnica
drawings that bridge past and present. The only che fa da ponte tra passato e presente. Le ricette, alla
consistent things within all these changes are base dei pranzi domenicali di queste famiglie, sono
the recipes for the Sunday meals that have been tramandate di generazione in generazione e hanno
passed on from generation to generation. trovato posto anche in questo libro..

the world through picture books books from switzerland 132


Books from the
Contact: Annie Everall
annie@alannie.demon.co.uk

United Kingdom
The co-ordination of the selection of the top ten picture books for the United
Kingdom was undertaken by Annie Everall. In order to draw up a list of titles,
members of the national committee of the Youth Libraries Group of CILIP
(Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals) were asked
to nominate titles against the criteria established for the project.
In addition an article was published in the Youth Libraries Group newsletter
also inviting nominations from librarians across the UK. 31 titles were
nominated, although one (Eric Carle The Very Hungry Caterpillar) was unable
to be included as it was not first published in the United Kingdom.
An electronic voting form was sent to all national committee members of the
Youth Libraries Group and its branch members. It was also sent to national
committee members of ASCEL (Association of Senior Childrens and Education
Librarians) as well as to all ASCEL members with a request to forward it on to
relevant staff in their Authorities. Every delegate at the Youth Libraries Group
annual conference in September 2011 was given a voting form in their delegate
pack and asked to complete it and hand it in before the end of conference,
with two sets of the final ten titles being offered as a prize draw for completed
application forms. In addition a notice was included in the Youth Libraries
Group electronic newsletter inviting librarians to request a voting form.
4,070votes were received and when analysed the top ten titles for the UK
arethe following:

1
Allan Ahlberg Janet Ahlberg, ill.
Each Peach Pear Plum
Puffin 1978 Viking Kestrel 1989 Picture Puffin ISBN 978 0 140 50919 9 Pbk

Awarded the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal out into Robin Hoods forest. Each double page
foranoutstanding book in terms of illustration spread follows a simple picture frame format
for children and young people in 1978. with text and a small pictorial clue on one side,
Each Peach Pear Plum is a deceptively simple, balanced by a detailed full-frame illustration
engaging picture book in which Janet Ahlbergs withobjects to find on the other
gentle pen and watercolour illustrations There is something very pleasing in seeing the
complement her husband Allans text to give domestic lives of familiar characters represented
young children the pleasure and satisfaction in such a witty way. The artists ability to depict
of using their knowledge of nursery rhymes to a happily comfortable world, shown to great
interact with the book, spot clues and find hidden effect in the final full-page illustration where
characters she completes the circular story and reunites all
The book is very carefully designed to lead the characters makes this a very enjoyable and
the reader through a range of settings filled satisfying book.
with recognisable images from the literature Extract of a review from: Image & Imagination
ofchildhood. The reader is led from the opening, 50Years of the Kate Greenaway Medal by Ian Dodds
quilt like view of fields, cottage and an orchard and Sue Roe, CILIP Youth Libraries Group 2007
of peach, pear and plum trees, into Mother 13 978 0946 512 52
Hubbardss kitchen, up Jack and Jills hill and

the world through picture books books from the united kingdom 133
2
Quentin Blake
Mr Magnolia
Random House (Red Fox Imprint) First published 1980 (Jonathan Cape imprint)
ISBN 978 1 862 30807 7 Pbk

Mister Magnolia is the archetypal English There is no hesitation in Quentin Blakes


eccentric dressed in a shabby frock coat, penmanship and he uses broad sweeps of colour
enormous bow tie, clashing colours and only one to create an immediacy and freshness on every
boot. This simple and charmingly dotty story, told page Quentin Blake is the master of simple
in rhyme, reveals more about Mister Magnolias line and wash illustrations. This book is full of joy,
flamboyant lifestyle and follows him in his search wild lines and vibrant colours leap from every
for that elusive second shoe. The liveliness of the page, making the whole work fresh, unique
rhyme is enhanced by the energetic, exuberant and memorable. It was awarded the CILIP Kate
and humorous illustrations. Mister Magnolia and Greenaway Medal in 1980.
the cast of supporting characters are each drawn Extract of a review from: Image & Imagination 50
with confident economy, they are given their Years of the Kate Greenaway Medal by Ian Dodds and
own quirky personalities through well observed Sue Roe, CILIP Youth Libraries Group 2007 13 978
arm movements, a flick of hair, a wayward scarf 0946 512 52
or a wonky ear.

3
Raymond Briggs
The Snowman
Puffin First Published 1978 (Hamish Hamilton) ISBN 978 0 141 34009 8 Pbk

One winters night, a snowman comes to life phenomenon, being published in 15 countries.
and a magical adventure begins for a small boy. The film of the book has been shown on TV at
Narrated entirely through pictures, Briggss Christmas for the past 25 years and the musical
dreamlike illustrations perfectly capture the stage version is now into its tenth year. It is a
wonder and innocence of childhood and book that spans the generations adults enjoyed
the magic of a childs imagination. Since its it as children and are now sharing it with their
publication the book has become a world-wide own children.

4
Rod Campbell
Dear Zoo
Macmillan, 1982 ISBN 978 0330512787 Hbk

A child writes to the zoo for a pet. The zoo sends yet engaging text make this a perfect book to
a series of unsuitable pets which all have to be read aloud and share with young children. The
sent back for different reasons, except for the board book edition of Dear Zoo is available in dual
last one which is just perfect. First published in language editions (published by Mantra Lingua),
1982 and now available in many different formats in English with Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese,
including a delightful pop up version, this book has Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Panjabi, Portuguese,
firmly established itself as a classic for the under Russian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish,
5s. Bright, colourful illustrations and a simple Turkish, Urdu, or Vietnamese.

the world through picture books books from the united kingdom 134
5
Julia Donaldson Axel Scheffler, ill.
The Gruffalo
Macmillan, first published 1999 ISBN 978 0 333 710920 Hbk

Written in rhyming couplets, this tells the story 2009. Available in multiple formats, it has also
ofa mouses walk in the woods. He meets various been produced as an animated film and a stage
animals who would like to eat him but he scares production. A sequel The Gruffalos Child was
them off by telling them he is having tea with published in 2004. The author Julia Donaldson is
a monstrous creature called the Gruffalo but the UK Childrens Laureate 2011-2013.
what happens when he meets the real Gruffalo!! Translations include Dutch (De Gruffalo), Estonian
Aimed at children under seven, the richness of (Grhvel), French (Gruffalo), German (Der Grffelo),
the text and the exuberance of the illustrations Hebrew (Trofoti), Irish, Italian (A spasso col mostro),
combine to create an award winning book. Lithuanian (Grufas), Polish, Russian (),
It won the Nestle Smarties Gold Award in the Slovene (Zverjasec), Spanish (El Grfalo),
0-5 category in 1999, the Blue Peter Best Book Scottish Gaelic, Swedish (Gruffalon), Turkish
to Read Aloud award., the 2000 Nottingham/ (Tostoraman), Welsh (Y Gryffalo) and Afrikaans (Die
Experian Childrens Book Award and was voted Goorgomgaai).
Best Bedtime Story by BBC Radio 2 listeners in

6
David McKee
Elmer
First published 1968 Dobson Books 1989 Andersen Press ISBN 978 1 84270 731 9 Pbk

Elmer is the first in a series of books featuring full of colourful cheeky humour combine to
acolourful patchwork elephant and his friends. create a modern classic that has become a firm
In this story, Elmer thinks he looks odd, because favourite with young children all over the world.
he is patchwork coloured when all the other Elmers adventures are available in printed
elephants are grey, so he rolls in berries to turn formats as well as on a variety of digital
himself grey. He soon realizes though that being platforms and have been published in more than
different is a good thing and the elephants love 40 languages. They have also been made into
him because he is different. Text and illustrations aTV series.

7
Michael Rosen Helen Oxenbury
Were Going on a Bear Hunt
Walker, first published 1989 ISBN 978 0 7445 2323 2 Pbk

A family sets out on a Bear Hunt and find complemented by Oxenburys watercolour
themselves wading through grass, splashing illlustrations. The story reads aloud beautifully
through a river, squelching through mud, and children can join in with a range of sounds
stumbling through a forest and shivering through and actions to extend the reading experience
a snowstorm, in search of a bear. The surprise further. A classic book enjoyed by children
comes when they reach a cave and discover and adults alike. Winner of the Smarties Book
that finding a bear wasnt quite what they Prize in 1989, Highly Commended for the CILIP
expected. The lyrical text by Rosen is perfectly KateGreenaway medal.

the world through picture books books from the united kingdom 135
8
Shirley Hughes
Dogger
Random House (Red Fox imprint) First published 1977 (Bodley Head) ISBN 978 1 862 30805 3 Pbk

Dogger is a much loved toy dog owned by a story of a lost and found toy. Although Hughes
little boy called Dave. Although his brother and illustrations beautifully capture a snapshot of
sister have lots of toys, Dave only wants Dogger. 1970s life in an English community, they have
Disaster strikes when at bedtime Dogger cant aquality that makes the story timeless.
be found and appears to be lost, leaving Dave The book won the CILIP Kate Greenaway medal
very sad indeed. Even a family trip to the school in 1977 and in 2007 was voted the Greenaway
summer fair cant cheer him up, until the mystery of Greenaways the favourite Kate Greenaway
is solved and his big sister Bella rescues Dogger medal of all time, during the 50th anniversary year
and returns him to Dave. Many families can relate of the medal.
to this wonderfully heartwarming and familiar

9
Jill Murphy
Peace at Last
Macmillan, first published 1980 ISBN 978 0 230 53241 0 Hbk

Its bedtime and Mr & Mrs Bear and Baby Bear to wake everyone up. Jill Murphys delightful
go to bed. Mrs Bears snoring keeps Mr Bear illustrations wittily capture a night time routine
awake and makes him try to find somewhere and Mr Bears frustration atbeing unable to fall
else to sleep. He tries baby bears room, the living asleep. Children delight in the repetition within
room, the kitchen, the garden and the car but all the text and the opportunity to join in with the
of them have a variety of noises that keep him night time noises. Highly commended for the
awake. Exhausted he returns to bed but just as CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal.
he is falling asleep the morning alarm clock rings

10
Martin Waddell Patrick Benson, ill.
Owl Babies
Walker Books, first published 1992 ISBN 978 0 7445 3167 1 Pbk

Sarah, Percy and Bill wake up in their tree nest to adifferent context. It helps children who may be
find their owl mother gone. I want my mummy experiencing the anxiety of first time separation
cries Bill, and Sarah and Percy do their best from their parents due to starting nursery
tocomfort him and each other while waiting orschool. It acknowledges the baby owls fears
fortheir mothers return. but at the same time offers reassurance and
An excellent story that demonstrates how ahappy ending with the return of their mum.
a book can be used to give children a way The illustrations empathetically work with the
of understanding situations that might text and further enhance the story making this
behappening to them by putting them into aclassic book to be read and re-read.

the world through picture books books from the united kingdom 136
Books from the
Barbara Genco bagencoconsulting@gmail.com
Linda Pavonetti pavonett@oakland.edu

USA
The United States members of IFLA and IBBY, represented by Barbara Genco
(IFLA and YALSA, Young Adult Library Services Association) and Linda M.
Pavonetti (ALSC, Association for Library Service to Children, and IBBY), created
a survey for ALSC and USBBY members. The goal of our survey parallels that
which members from other nations have been researching: What books do
librarians believe are essential as read aloud offerings? We posted a series
of questions on Survey Monkey and administered by ALSC. All members of
the ALSC list serve were invited to participate. Additionally, other list serves
devoted to literature for children were also provided access aswere members
of USBBY. Altogether, there were 171 participants. Only those books submitted
through the on-line survey were counted. There were 779 individual books
named, including books that were cited multiple times. Of those books,
296 titles had an unique vote and 483 were multiple-vote titles. There were
commentsboth informative and insightfulabout most of the choices.

1
Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are
Harper & Row, 1963 ISBN 978-0060254920 hardcover ISBN 978-0064431781 paperback

Nearing 50 years in print, Where the Wild Things home with his supper waiting. This book has
Are remains one of the most enduring of been honored with some of the most significant
American picture books. It is an irresistible and awards in childrens publishing, including the
simple story: after he is sent to bed without 1964 Caldecott Medal. Author-illustrator Sendak
supper for behaving like a wild thing, Max dreams received the Hans Christian Andersen and the
of a voyage to the island where the wild things Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.
are. By journeys end, he finds himself safe at

2
Eric Carle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Philomel/Penguin, 1969 ISBN 9780399208539 hardcover (and many other editions and formats)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar follows the progress has become a favorite worldwide. Carle is the
of a hungry little caterpillar as he eats his way recipient of countless honors including the 2003
through a varied and large quantity of food until, American Library Association Laura Ingalls Wilder
full at last, he forms a cocoon around himself Award for his entire body of work. He founded
and goes to sleep. Die-cut pages illustrate what the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
the caterpillar ate on successive days. This book http://www.carlemuseum.org
has been translated into over 50 languages and

the world through picture books books from the usa 137
3
Mo Willems
Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Hyperion Books for Children, 2003 ISBN 078681988X 9780786819881

Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! is an ingeniously matched to the spare yet marvelously expressive
simple story that instantly connects with the line drawings and understated earth-toned,
pre-schoolers world view. A wily pigeon that palette. Dont Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! was a
longs to drive a bus sees a chance to make its 2004 Caldecott Honor Winner and an adaptation
dream come true when the bus driver takes a won the 2010 USCarnegie Medal for Excellence
short break. Funny and exciting by turns, the inChildrens Video.
often hilarious child-centric text is perfectly

4
Bill Martin Jr. Eric Carle, ill.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do you See?
Henry Holt, 1967 ISBN 978-0805092448 hardcover (numerous other editions/formats
inmultiplelanguages)

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do you See? has been simple and insightful into the world of young
a touchstone read-aloud for pre-school since children. Early childhood educator Martins
its publication. Children see a variety of animals, repetitive, clearly patterned, and predictive
each a differentand sometimes whimsical question-and-answer text encourages children
color and finally, a teacher looking back at them. to participate by reading along. Carles vivid
The ground-breaking approach of Martin and tissue paper collages are fully integrated with the
Carle, two picture book masters, is deceptively text. This book never fails to engage.

5
Jules Feiffer
Bark, George
HarperCollins, 1999 ISBN 978-0062051851

Georges mother is exasperated when he refuses Feiffers pen and ink line drawings on pastel paper
to bark like a good little dog. George quacks. He reinforce and expand the humorous text. Pulitzer
oinks. He moos! Finally, Mama escorts George to a Prize-winning cartoonist Feiffer provides one final
resourceful vet who reaches deep down inside the surprise as George and his proud mother greet
errant pup, and much to everyones surprise, pulls everyone on the street. Preschoolers (and even
out a cat! Then a duck, a pig, and finally a cow. adults) are absolutely delighted!

6
Erza Jack Keats
The Snowy Day
Viking/Penguin, 1962

Now 50 years in print, The Snowy Day chronicles multi-racial characters into the previously all-
Peters adventures as he explores his urban white world of American picture books. Keats is
neighborhood. Peter gambols through his acclaimed for his bold and brilliant mixed media
mysterious yet familiar snow-covered landscape (watercolor, gouache, collage) art as well as his
experimenting with his footprints, knocking snow impassioned humanism. The Snowy Day, winner of
from a tree, and creating snow angels. Seemingly the 1963 Caldecott Medal, thrills readers as much
without effort, Ezra Jack Keats integrated today as it did when it was first published.

the world through picture books books from the usa 138
7
Margaret Wise Brown Clement Hurd, ill.
Goodnight Moon
Harper & Row, 1947 ISBN 9780060775858 (and many other formats and editions)

Goodnight Moon is a deceptively simple story deliciously full of details that complement
that endures as a bedtime favorite. Before going and extendthe text so masterfully. Although
to sleep, a little rabbit says goodnight to each the book was initially rejected by the library
object in his great green room: goodnight stars, world (The New York Public Library declined
goodnight air, goodnight noises everywhere, and, to purchase it until 1973), Goodnight Moon has
of course, goodnight moon. The stylized paintings become one of the best-selling American picture
by Clement Hurd are wonderfully childlike and books of all time.

8
Ed Emberley
Go Away, Big Green Monster!
Little Brown, 1992

Confronting night time fears is part of bluish-greenish nose to scraggy purple hair.
childhood as Caldecott-winning artist Emberley Authoritatively, the child proclaims, YOU DONT
demonstrates in Go Away, Big Green Monster! SCARE ME! SO GO AWAY Each subsequent
Readers constructthen deconstructthe page subtracts one of the not-so-scary features
monster starting with page one where die- until the final, entirely black page. Emberley
cut yellow eyes on glossy black heavy-duty places control in the hands of the child-
pages dominate. Each page turn introduces listener who states, and DONT COME BACK!
additional monstrous attributes from a long UntilIsayso.

9
Wanda Gg
Millions of Cats
G. P. Putnam & Sons, 1928 ISBN 978-0399233159 (and many other formats and editions)

Hand-lettered text and strong, curvilinear an undernourished kitten that grows beautiful,
drawings combine to tell the story of a lonely nurtured by their lovea satisfying conclusion
couple, searching for a cat. On a far away tothis immensely pleasing, folk-tale inflected,
hillside, the husband discovers ...hundreds of story. The repetitive, rhythmic phrasing entices
cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and children to join in the telling. Millions of Cats,
trillions of cats... After a catastrophic catfight, a1929 Newbery Honor book, is considered to
the very old man and his wife are left with only beone ofthe first modern picture books.

10
Esphyr Slobodkina
Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business
Harper& Row, 1940 ISBN 978-0201091472 (and many other formats and editions)

A peddler who balances his unusual wares on top all the monkeys throw down their caps as well.
of his headbunches of gray, brown, blue, and Slobodkina, a fine artist and graphic designer,
red capsmust outsmart a band of mischievous created this sure-fire read-aloud from an old folk
monkeys that steal his caps as he naps under tale and imbued the illustrations with sly humor.
a tree. Exasperated when he cant retrieve the It has been an American picture book favorite
caps, the peddler throws his own cap down. forover 60 years.
Inaclever take on monkey see, monkey do

the world through picture books books from the usa 139
A programme of Section Libraries for Children and Young Adults,
IFLA International Federation of Library Associations and
Institutions in collaboration with IFLASection Literacy and
Reading andIBBYInternational Boardon Books for Young People.

ISBN 978-90-77897-61-4

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