Provo Library Children's Book Blog

This collection of picture books highlight the importance and beauty of translated literature, bringing stories from around the world to English-speaking readers. Each title has been carefully translated to preserve the voice, meaning, and cultural nuance of its original language while making it accessible to new audiences. These works show how translation helps children’s literature cross borders and build understanding between cultures. I found these five books to be especially beautiful. The Visit Written by Núria Figueras Illustrated by Anna Font Translated by Lawrence Schimel from Catalan Grand Rapids, Michigan : Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2026. Picture book The Visit tells the story of a young fox who encounters Silence while spending time alone at home. What begins as an uncomfortable and unfamiliar presence slowly becomes calming as the fox learns to sit quietly, observe the world around her, and feel more at ease with herself. With expressive artwork and a thoughtf...

Edith By Catharina Valckx Minneapolis, MN : Gecko Press, 2026. Intermediate. 122 pages. In Edith , Catharina Valckx crafts a whimsical tale about a girl gifted with two extraordinary abilities at birth, bringing objects to life and never growing old. While eternal childhood initially seems magical, Edith soon discovers the sadness that comes with watching the people around her age while she remains unchanged. On her one-hundredth birthday, still a child, Edith begins a journey to find a way to finally grow up, accompanied by her loyal dog and a spirited talking lemon. Blending fairy-tale adventure with deeper reflections on time, friendship, and change, Edith offers readers both humor and emotional resonance. Valckx’s adorable illustrations complement the story’s exploration of aging and identity in an approachable way for younger audiences and invites meaningful conversations about growing up and appreciating life’s transitions. It's just an adorable, sweet, and quirky little sto...

One of my very favorite folktales is the story of stone soup. When a stranger comes to town with nothing but a pot of water and a stone, they begin to make stone soup. Slowly they convinced the selfish villagers to add what little food they have to the soup to make it even more delicious. By the time the soup is finished, the village enjoys a communal feast–made better by everyone's contributions. As is often the case with folktales, this story has been retold lots of different ways with many different twists. These are some of my favorite versions, to compare and contrast. Stone Soup: An Old Tale By Marcia Brown New York: Aladdin Books, 1947. Picture book. Probably the best known picture book version of Stone Soup, this Marcia Brown classic is a Caldecott honoree. Telling a pretty authentic version of the European folktale, three soldiers stop in a village that is reluctant to share their food. Bit by bit, the soldiers trick the villagers into adding delicious and flavorful ingred...