Translated children’s books are a wonderful opportunity and a pleasure for children to experience very different perspectives on the world. We are blessed with a number of absolutely stunning translated picture books, including the winner of a prestigious World Illustration Award. Here are a few of our recent favourites:

I Am the Subway by Hyo Eun-Kim, translated by Deborah Smith

Winner at the World Illustration Awards 2021

A cinematic journey through the Seoul subway that masterfully portrays the many unique lives we travel alongside whenever we take the train. Accompanied by the constant, rumbling ba-dum ba-dum of its passage through the city, the subway has stories to tell. Between sunrise and sunset, it welcomes and farewells people, and holds them - along with their joys, hopes, fears, and memories - in its embrace. For ages 4 and up.

Einstein: The Fantastic Journey of a Mouse through Space and Time by Torben Kuhlmann, translated by David Henry Wilson

Award-winning, illustrator Torben Kuhlmann’s brilliant new book bends time and imagination.

When an inventive mouse misses the biggest cheese festival the world has ever seen, he’s determined to turn back the clock. But what is time, and can it be influenced? With the help of a mouse clockmaker, a lot of inventiveness, and the notes of a certain famous Swiss physicist he succeeds in traveling back in time. But when he misses his goal by eighty years, the only one who can help is an employee of the Swiss Patent Office, who turned our concept of space and time upside down. Suitable for ages 5 and up.

Pablo by Rascal, translated by Antony Shugaar

Shhh! Pablo is asleep. This is his last night inside the shell. Tomorrow he’ll come out. But he’s a little shy so starts with a very little hole… Tap tap!

Pablo is a fresh and funny story about stepping out on your own into a bright new world. With the little chick Pablo we discover up and down, forward and back, shapes, the noises and smells of the outside, and take a first flight. It’s not scary at all! Especially not if you keep a little piece of home with you. Suitable for ages 1 and up.

Dulcinea in the Forbidden Forest by Ole Könnecke, translated by Shelley Tanaka

Dulcinea has known since she was small not to enter the dangerous magic forest where the witch has her castle. But her father hasn’t come home from collecting blueberries for her birthday pancakes. Did the witch cast a spell on him?

Dulcinea must brave the dark forest and sneak into the witch’s castle to free him. Her father would hardly have named her after the brave Dulcinea if she couldn’t break a witch’s spell to celebrate her birthday with him! Perfect for ages 4 and up and independent readers. Read our staff review here.

Inside the Suitcase by Clotilde Perrin, translated by Daniel Hahn

A magical lift-the-flaps adventure - part puzzle, part fairy tale - where the boy’s suitcase full of tricks and treasures is the key to getting him home.

A charming little house. Who’s inside? A boy packing his suitcase. Lift the flaps to see what he takes, and travel with him over oceans and mountains, under water and into the forest. With every step on this voyage of obstacles the boy faces a decision that will lead to a new adventure and help him get home.

This is a funny fairy tale with warm and characterful illustrations and a witty story. Suitable for ages 5 and up.