In recent years, a proliferation of books in translation for children and young adults has brought imaginative stories from around the world to new readers. We spoke with some of the extraordinary publishers who make these books possible about their experience working in this vital field.
Elsewhere Editions
“We are interested in books that ask questions rather than provide answers.”
—Jill Schoolman and Kendall Storey, publishers of Elsewhere Editions. Read the interview
Yonder
“It is precisely at a young age . . . when the strongest impact can be made in terms of exposing people to other cultures. A new sensibility can emerge.”
—Ilan Stavans, publisher of Yonder. Read the interview
Aurora Metro Books
“The proportion of children’s literature that is translated into English is extremely low, depriving English readers of some of the best children’s writers in the world today.”
—Cheryl Robson, publisher of Aurora Metro Books. Read the interview
Pushkin Children’s Books
“I’ve had a longstanding interest in classics . . . It seemed an obvious move to look for overlooked children’s classics from around the world.”
—Adam Freudenheim, publisher and managing director of Pushkin Press. Read the interview
Enchanted Lion Books
“If we give our children a richness of visual and narrative works from a young age, they will grow up familiar with different ways of framing and forming and revealing the inner and outer worlds of our humanness.”
—Claudia Bedrick, publisher of Enchanted Lion Books. Read the interview
Amazon Crossing Kids
“We hope these books help kids foster a sense of connection and connectedness to people in other parts of the world that stays with them as they grow up and develop their own perspectives.”
—Kelsey Skea, editorial director of Amazon Crossing Kids. Read the interview
Levine Querido
“We are acutely aware of the danger of the ‘single story.’”
—Arthur Levine, publisher of Levine Querido. Read the interview
Tapioca Stories
“I see an illustrated book as a piece of art.”
—Yael Berstein, founder of Tapioca Stories. Read the interview
Editora Caixote
“We focus on the incredible potential we find in the digital format for children’s literature.”
—Isabel Malzoni, founder of Editora Caixote. Read the interview
Groundwood Books
“We don’t shy away from tough or controversial topics.”
—Karen Li, publisher of Groundwood Books. Read the interview
Epigram Books
“I soon realized that most of the picture books sold in Singapore came from the US and the UK.”
—Edmund Wee, founder of Epigram Books. Read the interview
Gecko Press
“We try to choose books with emotional substance, where several stories are being told if you care to look for them.”
—Julia Marshall, founder of Gecko Press. Read the interview
Triangle Square Books for Young Readers
“We love these books that push the boundaries of what a kids’ or an adult book ‘should’ be.”
—Ruth Weiner, publisher of Triangle Square Books for Young Readers. Read the interview
