October 23, 2008 - Each year, the Bologna Book Fair contributes a selection of dozens of English and Italian picture books to the city of Itabashi, Tokyo – as Bologna and Itabashi have a sister city relationship and are culturally twinned in the promotion of children’s books.

From that assortment, a committee chooses one title from each language to be the two featured books for the Itabashi Translation competition, in which Japanese residents from around the country attempt their own translation of the book into their native language. The grand prize winners’ translations receive almost a thousand dollars in cash and prizes and are also considered for publication.

We are honored that this year’s English selection is Four Feet, Two Sandals, written by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed, illustrated by Doug Chayka, and originally published in 2007 by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. This poignant story of loss, friendship, and sharing has introduced many American children to the tragic realities of refugee children and we are excited that its message of the life-changing power of hope will soon be shared across the ocean in Japan.