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 children’s classic from Brazil comes to English language readers as MARCELO, MARTELLO, MARSHMALLOW, and is published by Tapioca Stories. Children’s author Ruth Rocha published Marcelo, Martelo, Marmelo in 1976. This edition has been translated by Tal Goldfajn and illustrated by Ana Matsusaki. It has been honored as among the list of Outstanding International Books selected by the United States Board on Books for Young People in 2025. You can access the extensive Guide for Educators to help build upon the love of language play the picture book demonstrates in both its story and illustrations.
From Jutta Bauer, twice winner of the German Youth Literature Prize, and winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for lasting contribution to children’s book illustration, English language readers can sink into ALBIE ON HIS WAY, thanks to the accommodating translation by Matthias Wieland and publisher Red Comet Press.
Albie is a mouse on a mission…however, as journeys sometimes do, events—and characters—come between the mission and its rapid accomplishment. And those events and characters are, of course, the ingredients of a successful folktalish story.
With TIME FOR BED, LITTLE OWLS! publisher Floris Books brings together three essential contributors to provide English language readers with a delightful bedtime picture book. Author Katja Alves, who lives in Switzerland, writes in German. Polly Lawson translates this story for English language readers. And, as with all good picture books, illustrator Andrea Stegmaier (who is German) plays a significant role in the storytelling. You can have it read to you right here:
TIME FOR BED, LITTLE OWLS!
Enjoy the motivation to participate in community presented by YES, WE’LL DO IT! published by Kalaniot Books. Originally written in Hebrew by Dafna Strum, illustrated by Shahar Kober, and now available in an English translation by Ilana Kurshan, here’s a cumulative tale that introduces a silly side as various villagers agree to take on roles that may be beyond their daily ones when the marching band needs a quick substitute for one musician. To keep the theme of beat included, the text rhymes nimbly even as translated from Hebrew to English.
IF FLOWERS WERE LITTLE MONSTERS, published by Switzerland’s Helvetiq, is a picture book for older readers. Written and illustrated by Claire Le Men, who is French, the English language edition comes to us through the work of translator Jeffrey K. Butt. And what botanical delights—and shivers—it has in store! The blossoms common in so many gardens and growing wild in fields in fact have secret identities hidden in their parts, and the past, as well as their possible uses as poisons, medicines, and magical spells.
Another title brought to English from French needs notice here, too. THE ORDINARY LIFE OF JACOMINUS GAINSBOROUGH is written and illustrated by Rébecca Dautremer, translated to English by Charis Ainslie and published by Post Wave Books. The life of a anthropomorphic rabbit unfolds from cradle to grave in a dozen scenes, each cleverly referencing a famous painting, with text on interspersing pages that bring to life the details of Jacominus’s adventures, misadventures, intellectual interests, family, and friends.
We’ll bookend this list with another delight for logophiles: ASHIMPA is truly a work of translation art as its story relates to the meaning and uses of a particular—and imaginary—word. Written in Portuguese and illustrated by Catarina Sobral, the Transit Children’s Editions’ English language publication is the work of translator Juliana Barbassa.
Both hilarious and informative, this tale of a researcher’s discovery of a word that leads the populace to debate and assert not only what it might mean but what part of speech it plays has all ages appeal.
There are so many great children’s books available from storytellers who work in and with English as their language vehicle. And there are so many more who, thanks to translators and publishers who recognize stories’ appeals beyond their original languages are great, too. During Women In Translation Month, take a read on the translation side with women authors beyond the English writers’ universe.
Bonus: Discover Some of the Translators
Far left: Charis Ainslie translates to English from French and Italian and works in multiple literary genres including theater, adult literature, and books for children and teens.
Middle: Ilana Kurshan has translated many children’s and adult books from Hebrew to English.
Right: Juliana Barbassa is a journalist as well as a translator working with texts in both Portuguese and Spanish.