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Child's Play: International Children's Literature

April 2020

April-2020-Childrens-Literature-Gunvor-Rasmussen-Detail-from-Raur
Image: Gunvor Rasmussen, detail, from Maria Parr, "Raur gir dyna si ein klem [Raur Gives His Blanket a Hug]," in Trøysteboka: Nynorske forteljingar (Skald, 2011). Courtesy of the publisher.

This month, with so many families home together and everyone craving comfort, we present an issue of international children’s literature. From ageless witches to teenage cliques, in settings ranging from Fascist Italy to the contemporary Middle East, the writers here offer characters and themes both fantastic and familiar. Pietro Albì’s village child is bedeviled by a surprising apparition. Sachiko Kashiwaba delivers a twist on a fairy tale trope. Hooda El Shuwa’s teenager finds a magical solution to a very real conflict, and Sandrine Kao sits in on lessons in combatting racism. Justyna Bednarek’s young boy marvels at his neighbor’s wonderful invention, while Angelika Glitz catches up with a granny who trades her walker for a forklift. And in a story reflecting what we’re all longing for now, Maria Parr’s preschooler reminds us of the restorative power of hugs. Children’s literature expert Daniel Hahn guest edits and introduces these stories for readers of all ages.

Deceptive Simplicity: International Children’s Literature
By Daniel Hahn
I often feel that adults forget what children’s stories are capable of.
Raur Gives His Blanket a Hug
By Maria Parr
“How am I supposed to be nice when nobody’s nice to me?”
Translated from Norwegian by Guy Puzey
Firstclaw
By Sachiko Kashiwaba
Firstclaw’s love spells were rumored to be unusually effective.
Translated from Japanese by Avery Fischer Udagawa
The Appearance of the Dragon, and His Disappearance
By Hooda El Shuwa
Khidr stepped out onto the street and was filled with an extraordinary horror.
Translated from Arabic by M. Lynx Qualey
The Park Bench
By Sandrine Kao
But it’s not surprising—with everything you hear on the news, how can anyone be expected to think well of the Chinese?
Translated from French by Jane Roffe
Heaven Can Wait
By Angelika Glitz
“Look, this forklift even has an electric motor.”
Translated from German by Melody Shaw
Mr. Gimbal’s Incredible Invention
By Justyna Bednarek
The wooden ring looked antique, because, as Mr. Gimbal explained, it was a centuries-old stereoscopic theater.
Translated from Polish by Zosia Krasodomska-Jones
Farfariel: The Book of Micù
By Pietro Albì
“The Devil at your service!” it announced in perfect Italian.
Translated from Italian by Denise Muir