Illustration of girl sitting in tree with pink blossoms and speech bubble that reads "Words of every shape, sound, and size.
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Sonja Wimmer, Illustration for The Day Saida Arrived written by Susana Gómez Redondo and translated by Lawrence Schimel (Blue Dot Kids Press). © 2020 Sonja Wimmer.

Read the World: Picture Books and Translation

January 13 - May 1, 2022
Reading Library

Reading books in translation is an opportunity to learn about other languages and cultures, and to learn more about ourselves. This book exhibition highlights the role of translators, showcases multilingual books, and introduces readers to recent English translations and their publishers.

Curated by Professor Regina Galasso (UMass Amherst) and her students from the course “Translation Roots of a US Literary Landscape” (Amherst College, Fall 2021): Olive Amdur, Monica Diaz, Caroline Seitz, Reylyn Tanchiatco, Elizabeth Tran, Augusta Weiss, and Caitlin Witzda.

What to Expect 

This book exhibition includes over 40 picture books and is divided into three thematic sections: “Meet Translators,” “See Languages,” and “Expand the Story.” The curators also created additional materials for the exhibition, including a guide to discuss translation with young readers and activities for children to better understand and appreciate how translation works.

Booklist
Exhibition Text (English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
Guide: Discussing Translation with Young Readers (English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
Drawing Activity: Try Translation (English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean)
Explore Further
Panoramic view of Read the World book exhibition in The Carle's Reading Library
Story Board

Curating a Book Exhibition that Highlights Translation

Learn how a class of students at Amherst College curated the book exhibition, Read the World: Picture Books and Translation.  
Visit the shop

In the Bookshop

Four children bundled in warm winter gear hold up colorful paper lanterns with a backdrop of a snowy village and fireworks.

Playing with Lanterns

A bear wearing an apron pulls a honey frame out of a wooden beehive.

Bruno the Beekeeper

A white horse with multicolored spots stands submerged in a body of water with a small boat atop its back.

In the Meadow of Fantasies

An elderly Black woman in a purple headwrap and tattoos on her cheek stands proudly next to her granddaughter in front of a school.

Nana Akua Goes to School

A small child sits crosslegged next to flowers and butterflies, beneath a warm sun.

Little You

A mother holds her child in her lap and they smile at each other. Flowers bloom around them.

Nosotros Means Us