We’re celebrating World Kid Lit Month with a salute to EBYR’s Batchelder Award books!
What’s a Batchelder Award? It’s for the most outstanding children’s book translated into English and published in the U.S. Named for Mildred L. Batchelder, a former executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), the award is given annually by (ALSC).
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers has earned two Batchelder awards and six honors! Scroll down to learn more about these titles and consider adding them to your collection.
Featured Books
Later, When I’m Big
written by Bette Westera, illus. by Mattias De Leeuw, trans. from Dutch by Laura Watkinson
A child dreams about everything she’ll do when she’s older in this whimsical 2024 Batchelder Honor Book, translated from Dutch.
⭐ Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
“Compelling artwork…stunning….Deftly captures a child’s sense of wonder at the vastness of the world.”
AWARDS:
The Children’s Book Committee of Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year List – Under Five (2024)
Different: A Story of the Spanish Civil War
written by Mónica Montañés, illus. by Eva Sánchez Gómez, trans. from Spanish by Lawrence Schimel
The fear, extremism, and aftermath of the Spanish Civil War are seen through the eyes of seven-year-old Socorro and nine-year-old Paco. Based on the author’s family history, Different was a 2023 Batchelder Honor Book, translated from Spanish.
⭐ Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
“The well-crafted narrative, nuanced art, and appended historical context combine for a salient, important work.”
⭐ School Library Journal (starred review)
“This solid, well-rounded work on an important era in Spain’s history will need some book-talking, but it admirably invites readers into an ordinary household to show the how small and large events take a toll on the lives of children.”
When a Wolf is Hungry
written by Christine Naumann-Villemin, illus. by Kris Di Giacomo, trans. from French
A lone, dapper wolf craves urban rabbit for dinner, but his hunting trip to the city culminates in a comedy of errors and a laugh-out-loud twist ending. A 2018 Batchelder Honor Book, translated from French.
⭐ Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
“As funny and as exquisitely put together as Edmond Bigsnout himself.”
AWARDS:
Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2017
Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s “CCBC Choices 2018”
Mikis and the Donkey
written by Bibi Dumon Tak, illus. by Philip Hopman, trans. from Dutch by Laura Watkinson
When his grandfather gets a donkey, Mikis ends up with a new friend and a lesson in caring for animals. A 2015 Batchelder Award winner, translated from Dutch.
Booklist
“A quiet story filled with endearing characters, believable situations, and a sense of the importance of caring for other creatures.”
The War within These Walls
written by Aline Sax, illus. by Caryl Strzelecki, trans. from Dutch by Laura Watkinson
After his family is forced to move into a crowded Polish ghetto, Misha joins a handful of other Jews who make a final, desperate stand against the Nazis. The illustrated novel was a 2014 Batchelder Honor Book, translated from Dutch.
⭐ Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)
“Gripping, powerful, shattering.”
⭐ Publishers Weekly (STARRED REVIEW)
“Will appall and unnerve its readers.”
⭐ School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)
“An outstanding example of Holocaust fiction.”
AWARDS:
United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), Outstanding International Books
National Council for the Social Studies & Children’s Book Council, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
Association of Jewish Libraries, Sydney Taylor Book Award – Honor book
Jewish Book Council, National Jewish Book Award – Children’s/YA Book category
Kirkus Reviews, Best Books of the Year
Society of Illustrators, “The Original Art” annual exhibition (2013)
Publishers Weekly, Best Books of the Year – Teen
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon List
Son of a Gun
written and trans. by Anne de Graaf
Eight-year-old Lucky and ten-year-old Nopi are kidnapped from school and forced to become child soldiers in Liberia’s civil war. This 2013 Batchelder Honor Book is historical fiction, based on actual interviews with Liberian children and translated from Dutch.
Children’s Literature
“De Graaf uses a steady hand to write a powerful and haunting story.”
AWARDS:
ALSC Notable Children’s Books (2013)
Poetry Center at Passaic County CC, Paterson Prize for Books for Young People (Grades 4-6)(2013)
United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY), Outstanding International Books (2013)
Soldier Bear
written by Bibi Dumon Tak, illus. by Philip Hopman, trans. from Dutch by Laura Watkinson
Based on a real series of events during World War II, Soldier Bear tells the story of an orphaned bear cub adopted by a group of Polish soldiers in Iran. A 2012 Batchelder Award winner, translated from Dutch.
Kirkus Reviews
“Smoothly translated and engagingly illustrated with sketches and helpful maps. Funny, fresh and heartwarming, it doesn’t ignore the horrors of war but concentrates on the joy of having an animal friend, albeit a difficult one.”
Garmann’s Summer
written and illus. by Stian Hole, trans. from Norwegian by Don Bartlett
Young Garmann is going to school for the first time in this quirky, intergenerational story about facing fears. A 2009 Batchelder Honor Book, translated from Norwegian.
⭐ Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
“An elegant, fanciful, wholly poetic exploration of the nature of fear and the strength and hope required to conquer it.”
Consider Adding These Books to Your Collection!
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