Japan
The World's Poorest President Speaks Out
By Yoshimi Kusaba (Editor), Andrew Wong (Translator), Gaku Nakagawa (Illustrator)
The World’s Poorest President Speaks Out. Edited by Yoshimi Kusaba. Translated by Andrew Wong. Illustrated by Gaku Nakagawa. Enchanted Lions Books, 2020. Originally published as 世界でいちばん貧しい大統領のスピーチ (Sekai De Ichiban Mazushi Daitoryo No Speech) in Japanese by Choubunsha Publishing, Co. Ltd., in Tokyo, in 2014. ISBN 9781592702893. 40 p. (Ages 5-10). Picture book.
Based on Uruguay president José Mujica's 2012 speech to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Thought-provoking and a good introduction to discussions on poverty, social justice, and having enough. Worlds of Words recommended book, April 2021. [all]
Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window
By Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, Dorothy Britton (Translator), Chihiro Iwasaki (Illustrator)
Totto-chan: the Little Girl at the Window. Tetsuko Kuroyanagi. Translated by Dorothy Britton. Illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki. Paperback edition published by Kodansha, 2012. Originally published as 窓ぎわのトットちゃん (Madogiwa no Totto-chan) in Japanese, in 1981. Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window was first published in English in 1982. ISBN 9781568363912. 232 p. (Ages 8 and up). Nonfiction.
From the publisher: “This engaging series of childhood recollections tells about an ideal school in Tokyo during World War II that combined learning with fun, freedom, and love. This unusual school had old railroad cars for classrooms, and it was run by an extraordinary man-its founder and headmaster, Sosaku Kobayashi--who was a firm believer in freedom of expression and activity.” The school was especially unique in the repressive and militaristic society of the time, but was unfortunately destroyed by bombing in 1945. A record-breaking best-seller, it was used as course material for third graders. The author was one of Japan's most popular tv personalities. [all]
Africa South of the Sahara
Nigeria
Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country
By Atinuke, Mouni Feddag (Illustratror)
Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country. Atinuke. Illustrated by Mouni Feddag. Candlewick Press, 2021. Originally published by its UK sister company Walker Books in 2019. ISBN 9781536205374. 80 p. (Ages 7-10). Nonfiction.
This book profiles all 55 countries on the African continent. The author explores their varied geography, history, traditions, animals, and ecosystems. A 2022 USBBY Outstanding International Books List selection. See what Atinuke, a well-known Nigerian storyteller who lives in West Wales, has to say about her book: Introducing “Africa, Amazing Africa.” It’s my first non-fiction book. And it’s all about Africa! [gd]
India
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability
By Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand, Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam (Illustrators)
Bhimayana: Experiences of Untouchability. Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand. Illustrated by Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam. Navayana, 2011. First published by Navayana Publishing, in India, in 2011. Also available under the title Ambedkar: incidents in the life of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar from Tate Publishing, London, in 2013. ISBN 9788189059170. 108 p. (Ages 10 and up). Graphic Novel.
An own-voices book that explores the story of one of India’s prominent revolutionaries, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956). Accompanied by groundbreaking illustrations by Pardhan-Gond artists, this is a must-read for children interested in learning more about Indian history. Would pair with March: Book One by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. The illustrators are based in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh region of India. Durgabai Vyam has illustrated dozens of books and won the Bologna Ragazzi award in 2008 for The Night Life of Trees. Subhash Vyam is a sculptor turned painter. Srividya Natarajan is a Canada-based dancer and novelist. S. Anand is the publisher of Navayana. This is a short video summarizing Bhimayana. [mi]
The Girl Who Loved to Sing: Teejan Bai
By Lavanya Karthik
The Girl Who Loved to Sing: Teejan Bai. Lavanya Karthik. Duckbill Books, 2021. ISBN 978014351518. 48 p. (Ages 7-9). Nonfiction.
Vividly illustrated story of the life of Teejan Bai, Pandavani Folk Singer, who had to fight for her freedom to sing. Would pair with She Sang for India by Suma Subramaniam. Pandavani is a folk singing style that involves narration of the tales from Mahabharata. This book is part of the Dreamers series, written and illustrated by the author, that tells inspiring stories about India’s greatest talents. Karthik lives in Mumbai with her family and is an award-winning writer and illustrator. Most of her stories center around the lives of older people. This is an interview with the author about the Dreamers Series. [mi]
Jamlo Walks
By Samina Mishra, Tarique Aziz (Illustrator)
Jamlo Walks. Samina Mishra. Illustrated by Tarique Aziz. Puffin Books, 2021. First published by Puffin Random House India, Haryana, India, in 2021. ISBN 9780143453178. 32 p. (Ages 7-9). Nonfiction.
A heart-wrenching story about Jamlo, a 12-year old child migrant worker, who passed away while trying to walk from Telangana to her village in Chattisgarh during COVID-19 pandemic. Accompanied with absorbing illustrations, this book exposes readers to the impact of the pandemic in India on young people, and ideas of death and struggle. Would pair with Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhhà Lai. The author is based in New Delhi and is a documentary filmmaker, writer, and teacher. This book is dedicated to honor the memory of Jamlo. Here is a video of a read-aloud of Jamlo Walks. [mi]
Nava Durga: The Nine Forms of the Goddess
By Nalini Ramachandran, Priyanka Pachpande (Illustrator)
Nava Durga: The Nine Forms of the Goddess. Nalini Ramachandran. Illustrated by Priyanka Pachpande. Puffin Books, 2021. First published by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Gurgram, Haryana, India, in 2020. ISBN 97801434449485. 96 p. Ages (6-9). Nonfiction.
This book tells the tale of India’s nine-day festival, Navaratri, and the nine different forms of Goddess Durga that accompany each day. With vibrant illustrations this book is perfect for readers interested in Indian mythology. Would pair with Greek Myths and Mazes by Jan Bajtlik. The author has written many books for young readers on various topics and styles. She is based in India and edits children's books and holds workshops on creative writing and storytelling. Here is a short video about the book. [mi]
Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection
By Ita Mehrotra
Shaheen Bagh: A Graphic Recollection. Ita Mehrotra. Yoda Press, 2021. First published in India. ISBN 9789382579786. 127 p. (Ages 10 and up). Graphic Novel.
A graphic account of the political sit-in led by Muslim women that started in Delhi in December 2019 and lasted till March 2020, just before the pandemic. With powerful illustrations this book is an iconic portrayal of women’s protest against the government. Would pair with Girls Want Azadi by Kamla Bhasin. The author is a visual artist, arts researcher, and educator living in New Delhi. She is currently the head of Community Arts for Artreach India, a non profit organization that helps young people, children, and women from marginalized communities across India. Listen to the podcast interview with the author on YouTube. [mi]
Korea
The Moon Tonight: Our Moon's Journey Around the Earth
By Jung Chang-hoon, Paige Morris (Translator), Jang Ho (Illustrator)
The Moon Tonight: Our Moon’s Journey Around the Earth. Jung Chang-hoon. Translated by Paige Morris. Illustrated by Jang Ho. Blue Dot Kids, 2023. Originally published in Korean by Woongjin Thinkbig Co. Ltd, Seoul, in 2007. ISBN 9781737603252. 36 p. (Ages 4-9). Picture book.
Children witness the waxing and waning of the moon in this poetic and informative text by astronomer Jung Chang-hoon. The luminous illustrations, by 2009 Bologna Children’s Book Fair illustrator-of-the-year Jang Ho, enable even the in-bed reader (or listener) to marvel at the night sky. [dj]
The Three Water Drop Brothers
By Lee Eun-hee, Asuka Minamoto (Translator), Yun Mi-sook (Illustrator)
The Three Water Drop Brothers. Lee Eun-hee. Translated by Asuka Minamoto. Illustrated by Yun Mi-sook. Enchanted Lion Books, 2021. Originally published in Korean. ISBN 9781592703234. 40p. (Ages 4-8). Picture book.
A collaboration between science writer Lee Eun-hee and Bologna Ragazzi Award winning illustrator Yun Mi-sook. The story follows the travels of three water drop “brothers” who make their way through the heavens, oceans and underground (even through the body of a cow, coming out as milk) to illustrate the water cycle. They end up back together in the ocean, ready to explore the world again “because that is exactly what water drops like to do!” [dj]
When Spring Comes to the DMZ
By Lee Uk-Bae, Chungyon Won and Aileen Won (Translators), Lee Uk-Bae (Illustrator)
When Spring Comes to the DMZ. Lee Uk-Bae. Translated by Chungyon Won and Aileen Won. lllustrated by Lee Uk-Bae. Plough Publishing House, 2019. Originally published in Korean. ISBN 978-0874869729. 40p. (Ages 5-8). Picture book.
A Batchelder honor book, When Spring Comes to the DMZ was a Korean contribution to the Peace Picture Book Project, a cross-national collaboration among picture book writers and illustrators from Japan, China and Korea. Lee’s book invites readers to view the amazing natural beauty that has developed in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the narrow strip of land between North and South Korea where people are still not allowed to go. Landscapes are punctured by rusting tanks and barbed wire, subtly reminding the reader of the war that separated and continues to separate the two Koreas. [dj]
China & Taiwan
China
Mao and Me
By Chen Jiang Hong, Claudia Zoe Bedrick (Translator)
Mao and Me. Chen Jiang Hong. Translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick. Enchanted Lion Books, 2008. Originally published as Mao et moi in French by l’École des loisirs, in Paris, in 2008. ISBN 9781592700790. 96 p. (Ages 6-10). Picture book.
Though born and educated in China, artist Chen Jiang Hong has lived in Paris since 1987. Mao and Me is his first autobiographical picture book about his childhood during Cultural Revolution-era China. In a realistic style, Chen narrates his experiences growing up, as the cataclysmic events of the era rain hardship down on his family and neighbors. All the while, however, he retains a child’s view of Mao, and perhaps even some lingering affection for him. [cr/dj]
Rice
By Hongcheng Yu
Rice. Hongcheng Yu. Reycraft Books, 2020. ISBN 9781478869368. (Ages 8-12). Nonfiction.
A gorgeously illustrated nonfiction book on how rice is cultivated in China. Author/illustrator Hongcheng Yu lived in the mountains with farmers for two years to observe their planting and harvesting practices to create this book. Recipient of an honorable mention in the 2020 Freeman Book Awards, from the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia. [cr/dj]
The Middle East & North Africa
Lebanon
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad
By Nahiba Mheidly, Maha Alhusseini (Translator), Louijaina al Aseel (Illustrator)
Stories from the Life of Prophet Muhammad. Nahiba Mheidly. Translated by Maha Alhusseini. Illustrated by Loujaina Al Aseel. Dar Alhadaek, 2021. ISBN 6144392661. 72 p. (Ages 7-12). Nonfiction.
This book provides an engaging way to teach key stories and lessons from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and historical details on the origins of Islam. Colorful illustrations and Qur’anic verses punctuate the work. Written by a three-time Etisalat Award-winning author. [ea]