2017 International Beginning Readers Roundup

Today's guest contributor is Patrick Gall. Patrick works as a librarian for children in preschool through eighth grade at the Catherine Cook School in Chicago. He served on the 2015 Newbery Award Committee, is currently serving on the USBBY Outstanding International Books List committee, and is a guest reviewer for The Horn Book Magazine. 

The following books will not be 2018 Geisel Medal/Honor recipients, although in almost every way they excel in fulfilling the Geisel Award terms and criteria. They can’t be awarded a Geisel because they are international, meaning that they were previously (or simultaneously) published in a country other than America. This specifically conflicts with the “books originally published in other countries are not eligible” portion of the Geisel criteria. Many of the listed books have been translated and may end up as 2018 Batchelder Award/Honor winners; however, it is important to note that titles originally published in English (often from Australia, Canada, and England) are ineligible for the Batchelder. For a year-to-year list of excellent international books (both translated to and originally in English) check out the USBBY Outstanding International Books lists. 

With an eye to design and layout (thanks to Jackie Partch’s excellent GG post), I’ve compiled a list of strong international beginning readers that offer unique perspectives, structures, and an international vibe that are inherently valuable to beginning readers as they grow not only as readers, but as global citizens. 

Additionally, this list is roughly organized by intended audience (youngest to oldest) and includes the country of origin after each publisher: 

1. What Does Baby Want? by Tupera Tupera, illus. by the authors (Phaidon/Japan) – This cleverly designed board book about breastfeeding was likely intended to be read by an adult to a baby, but its clear text-to-image connections would make for a great read aloud by a beginning reader sibling! 

2. Up! How Families Around the World Carry Their Little Ones by Susan Hughes, illus. by Ashley Barron (Owlkids/Canada) – Beautiful cut-paper collages depict contemporary scenes of babies throughout the world being carried by loved ones. The bubbly text has an overall repetitive structure, all the while introducing readers to new caregivers and carrying methods (and thus new words). 

3. nipêhon / ᓂᐯᐦᐅᐣ / I Wait by Caitlin Dale Nicholson, illus. by author (Groundwood/Canada) – This large format Cree/English beginning reader portrays a very brief and seemingly everyday task – gathering yarrow for tea – with both loving respect and tender humor. Cree-first text interrupts the notion of English as a default. 

4. Hop Up! Wriggle Over! by Elizabeth Honey, illus. by author (Clarion/Australia) – Brimming with nearly every sound effect imaginable, this gentle title features native animals of Australia, New Zealand, and New Guinea in anthropomorphized, child-minded scenarios (such as gobbling up breakfast and going to the park). 

5. The Cat Book by Silvia Borando, illus. by author (Candlewick/Italy) & The Dog Book by Lorenzo Clerici, illus. by author (Candlewick/Italy) – With nearly identical narrative structures, these interactive, call-and-response style titles are best read together. The small trim size (with large, bold text), vibrant color palette, and straight-forward cartoon illustrations scream (or meow and bark) successful beginning reader! 

6. I Like, I Don’t Like by Anna Baccelliere, illus. by Ale + Ale (Eerdmans/Italy) – Set to the repetitive text pattern of "I like..." and "I don't like..." a diverse cast of children are depicted either at play or in child labor scenarios with the same familiar objects - such as shoes, rugs, and phones. The collage illustrations appear to incorporate actual images of children, therefore heightening the emotional impact of the work. 

7. Days with Dad by Nari Hong, illus. by author (Enchanted Lion/South Korea) – A loving conversation between a father in a wheelchair and his non-disabled daughter employs a predictable back-and-forth rhythm, helpful illustrations, and simple, effective language. 

8. Waiting for Goliath by Antje Damm, illus. by author (Gecko Press/Germany) – A hapless bear spends a year’s time waiting for his best friend, Goliath. Uniquely illustrated through mixed media dioramas that provide context and reader support, this title develops into a major page-turner. 

9. See You When I See You by Rose Lagercrantz, illus. Eva Eriksson (Gecko Press/Sweden) – While considerably over the 96 page limit (at 148 pages) this fifth Dani book is just as good as its predecessors, and although allotting time to several adult characters, remains kid-centered. Succinct dialog and expressive full-page ink illustrations propel the story forward. 

10. You’re Amazing, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke, illus. by Lauren Tobia (Kane Miller/England) – In this eighth and final Anna Hibiscus title, readers encounter the silly (Anna’s goofy brothers Double and Trouble) to the serious (the death of Anna’s grandfather) in Anna’s African village. Supportive sentence level writing, helpful repetition, and tender illustrations of Anna and her family guide newly independent readers through this important story. 

There are certainly other excellent international beginning reader titles that I left off of this list, and many others that I have likely missed, especially regarding books originally published in countries in South America and Africa. Please share your recommendations and thoughts in the comments.