Author name: FGoldsmith

librarian, professional development trainer, writer

Heather reading in the sunlight and Izzy clowning with donuts

Translating Classic Art into Contemporary Picture Book Illustrations

We’re putting a bit of a twist on Translation Month this September. We frequently highlight linguistic translators and their work in making children’s books from around the world accessible to English language readers. We look for them to receive credit from publishers on book covers and seek out their skillsets in workshops and on panels. […]

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Headshots of translators Charis Ainslie, Ilana Kurshan, and Juliana Barbassa

Kid Lit Women in Translation

August is a time to celebrate the women authors who can be read in more than the language in which they write. Thanks to their recognition by publishers, and the skillful work of professional translators, we want to call attention this year to the following women during the Women In Translation month of August. The

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Pagespread from back matter shows six panes of information, including details for Seneca Fall Convention, Dakota Pipeline Protest, Bram & Bett v Ashley, United States v Wong Kim Ark, Loving v Virginia, Obergefell v Hodges

Real Life Activist Heroes

Demonstrators, protesters, activists—what’s the difference? All work to deliver a public effect. Demonstrators make a public stand among a group of like-minded people that may be against or for an element of the status quo in public life. Protesters, as the word indicates, also take a public role, usually within a group, against something that

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Invitations for Autodidactic Middle Graders

If you’ve worked in a school or a library, you’ve met kids who absolutely thrive on asking questions, truly listen to responses, and then move on to explore proffered answers more deeply. These are not likely to be the kids who work diligently for high marks (although assignments that pique their interest can invite stellar

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Children's Book Committee logo shows a star-shaped human otline against an open book

Bank Street College of Education Publishes Best 2025 Edition

During the last days of 2024, and the first weeks of 2025, we shared the books that had appeared on a wide array of Best Kids’ Book lists for the year. At that time, we promised to return with one of the most respected of these annual lists. Bank Street College of Education publishes a

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Cover of Downpour shows a yellow shorted child with a large yellow umbrella playing in the rain

It’s Onomatopoeia Season!

April’s rainy weather is a harbinger of spring flowers—and it’s also just right for picture books with onomatopoeia-rich texts! Rain makes so many wonderful sounds, depending on how big the drops, how puddle-welcoming the ground on which it falls, and activities we undertake outdoors in rainy weather. Cloudy skies and falling water make glorious subjects

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Outstanding International Books 2025

At the very end of 2024, we were able to share a bounteous serving of news about books from our publishers that had earned spots on an array of “best of the year” lists from librarians, educational associations, professional journals, and more. The lists continue to arrive, with the most recent from the United States

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Butterknife and fork on blue background

Pairing Power

Just as two eyes provide depth missing when we look ahead with just one eye, a pair of complementary books provide a deeper experience of their shared—and complementary—theme. The pairs suggested here each fit together, rather than presenting oppositional or dichotomous views. Like a pair of friends rowing a boat across new waters with greater

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Fimo dough constructed penguin pair and their stack of books tucked into a rocky niche, Kelvin Walk, Glasgow

Celebrating Titles Featured on 2024’s Best Books for Kids Lists

It’s the end of another publishing year and the best lists are snowing upon us! What we love about the plethora of these lists from children’s literature experts, review publications, and national press resources is how so many perspectives pop into focus: diverse list makers see “best” in so many different—and complementary—ways. Some of the

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