Overview
A valuable and easy-to-use tool for librarians, teachers and others seeking to promote international understanding through children's literature. The annotated bibliography, organized geographically by world region and country, describes nearly 700 books representing 73 countries. Designed as a companion volume to Carl Tomlinson's Children's Books from Other Countries, it includes international children's books published between 1996 and 2000, as well as selected American books set in countries other than the United States. Sponsored by the United States Board for Young People (USBBY).
Synopsis
The World through Children's Books is a valuable and easy-to-use tool for librarians, teachers and others who seek to promote international understanding through children's literature. The annotated bibliography, organized geographically by world region and country, contains nearly 700 books representing 73 countries. Sponsored by the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY).
Children's Literature
This second title sponsored by the United States Board on Books for Young People and edited by Susan Stan, follows Children's Books from Other Countries, which was edited by Carl M. Tomlinson (Scarecrow, 1998). The first title included international books published between 1950 and 1996, while this book provides a listing of international books published between 1996 and 2000. Part One provides "An Overview of International Children's Literature" written by Tomlinson. Included is a discussion of the International Children's Literature Movement, as well as an introduction titled "How International Books Come to the United States" through translation and co-publication. Stan discusses how books can be used as bridges linking "bodies of land, groups of people, and cultural systems." Part Two (chapters 3-9) is the bibliography, sorted by country/area, and includes 701 titles with annotations and publication information. Also included for each area listing is related information such as children's book awards, web sites, journal titles, and online bookstores where books from the country can be obtained. Chapter 10 includes multinational books and Chapter 11 provides a listing of children's book awards. Chapter 12 is a list of organizations that "work on the behalf of international literacy and children's literature," and Chapter 13 is a list of publishers that have "an international focus or consistently include international titles on their publishing lists." The final chapter (14) includes "Sources for Foreign-Language and Bilingual Books." An author/illustrator/translator index, a title index, and a subject guide are also included. This is an excellent resource that can be used byteachers and librarians at all levels. It is easy to use and has reliable information that can be invaluable for creating diversity in literature that is provided for children.