Carnival of the Animals by Marianne Dubuc

The title of this book did mislead me but in a good way. I immediately thought of the famous music Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns and so I thought this book could be linked to the 2026 CBCA slogan A Symphony of Stories. I do have a small collection of picture books that feature this famous piece of music in a Pinterest collection. 

I picked up this book by Marianne Dubuc at a recent charity book sale. It was published in 2012 and so is long out of print. This book is fun, but it does not readily relate to the famous music or the book week slogan. 

The elephant dresses up as a parrot

The parrot dresses up as a tortoise

Each double spread in this book shows an animal and then on the next page the animal is seen in fancy dress. Australian children will laugh over the platypus and everyone will enjoy the final party or carnival scene. I have put illustrations here are from the French edition of this book.

Carnical of the Animals was considered for the Governor General's Award for French-language children's illustration. The English version is called Animal Masquerade (2012). It was named an Outstanding International Book by the USBBY.

Marianne Dubuc (born 1980) is a talented Canadian writer and illustrator. She creates wonderful books for children. Marianne lives in Quebec, Canada. She was born in Montreal. She studied graphic design at the Université du Québec à Montréal. This helped her learn how to design and draw. Her very first book was La mer (2006). It was later translated into English as The Sea (2012). Her second book, Devant ma maison, became very popular. It was translated into more than 15 languages! Today, her books are available in 25 different languages around the world.

I previously talked about these books by Marianne Dubuc:

Up the Mountain

The Lion and the Bird

The Bus Ride

Here the CBCA 2026 poster:

Where does Pepper come from? by Brigitte Raab illustrated by Manuela Olten

"Any book that lets kids say, NO so often is bound to be popular" School Library Journal

This book is from 2006 so it is out of print but it might be in your school or local library. I am sure the format of this one will inspire curiosity and give your reading group lots of laughs too. You could use this to write more questions, think of crazy creative answers and then flip the page to read the actual facts.

Where does pepper come from? A pepper mill; a spicy place; the pepper store; a sneezy place; from pepper rocks! Actually, we discover on the next page it comes from the berries of the pepper plant. Most pepper is grown in India, Indonesia, Brazil and Malaysia.

Other questions in this book include; Why do bears hibernate? Why do snail carry houses on their backs?Why are flamingos pink? and Why isn't a whale a fish?

“Why is the sea salty?” “Because a sea captain sprinkled salt on the water”. This humorous picture book asks a series of seven questions and is first given some very creative (but wrong) answers. “Why do snails carry houses on their backs?” “Because they love to go camping!” Readers can then turn the page to see a child saying, No! followed by a concise, correct answer. In a nice twist, the pattern is broken at the end of the book. “Why don't migrating birds get lost when they fly south in the fall?” “Because they have compasses in their beaks!” This seemingly silly answer turns out to be partly true.

The design is playful with cartoon-style illustrations that use soft earth tones combined with subtle humour. This book is a lively and appealing way to encourage children’s curiosity about the natural world. Outside in the World

Where does pepper come from? was originally published in German in 2005 with the title Wo wächst der Pfeffer? 

A book like this could be a terrific addition to your bag of tricks if you are a casual or substitute teacher. Keep your eye out - you might find one in a charity shop.

The library where I volunteer had a display last term of question and answer books. I think my facination with this goes back to books from my childhood like The How and Why Wonder book series and also I had a large format book filled with questions and answers but I have no memory of the title.

The sound of colours by Jimmy Liao

"A year ago I began to notice that my sight was slipping away. I sat at home alone and felt the darkness settle around me. But today I walked outside into the thin gray rain and made my way to the subway. I have a journey to go on. There are some things I need to find."

Without sight the young girl in this story uses her other senses and her wonderful imagination to create images in her mind as she journeys through the subway. She takes care on the stairs as slowly as an elephant. She can feel the crunch of the autumn leaves. If she could climb the tree she would be able to pick a sweet red apple. The next station feels so vast - perhaps it is like stepping into the ocean. She imagines hearing the singing of the dolphins. Outside she cannot see the sky, but we see the scene - she imagines of a beach which is actually on top of a huge blue whale. The girl is stretched out in the sun in her swimmers with her hat and dog. And so her journey continues moving from one spectactular scene to another. 

"Now it listen for the sound of the colours I can't see. I try to smell the shapes, taste the light and dark. And I hope to find a friend who will read me a poem while the window fills up with sunset."

This quote touched my heart. My mother and two aunts had macula degeneration and so their vision was greatly impaired. I worry about losing my eyesight because this condition can be hereditary but if that happens it would be so special if someone could read me this book and take me on a journey like this one. 

Take a look at this detailed description of The sound of colours. 

Read more about Jimmy Liao here.

Blurb from author page: Follow the blind little girl to hear the sounds of colors together, and see how colors make sound. From one stop to another, visit the city corner, the breezy treetops, the entrance to the underground, and the exit to the sky anew.

Home is the place where everything I've lost is waiting patiently for me to find my way back.

Companion books:

The Seeing Stick

The Black Book of Colours

The Sound of Colours has been translated into Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chines, Japanese, English Spanish, Thai, French, Dutch, Polish, Russia,n Vietnamese, Italian, German, Portuguese and Korean

I mentioned Taiwanese artist Jimmy Liao and this book in a previous post and then to my absolute delight the Teacher-Librarian from the library where I spend fantastic days as a volunteer read my blog post and when I arrived she had this book ready for me to borrow! That is truly the best library service! The Sound of Colours was published in English in 2006. This is another example of why libraries are SO IMPORTANT. The Sound of Colours is long out of print but your local or school library may have a copy - I did have this book in my own former school library (hopefully they still have it).

Another companion book:

The Sound of Silence

Is it Asleep? Olivier Tallec

Squirrel and his friend Pock (a mushroom) set out on a walk through the forest to the meadow. They love listening to the birds, especially the song of the blackbird but there is no song. Then they see the blackbird:

"It's lying there completely still. We've never seen a bird so close-up. It must definitely be asleep. So we keep very quiet and wait for it to wake."

The bird does not wake up even after they move in for a close look at the beautiful feathers, even after they whisper to the bird 'Are you asleep?', and then they clap their hands but nothing happens. Three heads are better than two so they fetch their friend Gunther. Guther says they should lift the bird to help it fly but they discover blackbird is too heavy and that's when we read something you and your young reading companion probably suspected:

"That's when Pock says maybe the blackbird is dead."

Here is an interview with Olivier Tallec and Gecko Press.

I seem to be sharing a few books lately about deep sadness, grief and death. Take a look at this video where the presenter talks about when and why to share picture books about these topics. Yes, It is Asleep? is desperately sad but it is also a gentle story about friendship and caring and memories. There is so little text in this book - it demands to be read very quietly and slowly. You should add this book to your library and don't be afraid to pop it on your regular picture book shelves - no need to hide it away in a parent or teacher reference collection. It is also a NSW Premier's Reading Challenge title (K-2). [1367138]

Children read a book about death like they read a story on a completely different subject. They don’t identify with it in the same way as adults. Children are not apprehensive about entering this story. And I believe we shouldn’t be afraid to read them these books. Death is part of life. Olivier Tallec

A laudably candid yet child-friendly examination of life and death. Kirkus

With moving reflection, and a tribute to life lived and lost, death is gently portrayed in a pure, uncomplicated way that children can comprehend.  Kids' Book Review

Olivier Tallec’s work has been called “sensitive”, “stunning”, “breathtaking”, and “beautiful.” Tallec was born in Brittany, France, in 1970. After graduating from the École Supérieure D’arts Graphiques in Paris, he worked in advertising as a graphic designer, after which he devoted himself to illustration. Since then he has illustrated more than sixty books.

We have already met Pock and Squirrel and Gunther the mouse in this previous book:

A Better Best Friend

Here are a few other books to explore on the topics of grief, loss and death:

The Memory Tree

The Bear and the Wildcat

The Hare-shaped Hole

The Picturebook Makers Part 2 edited by Sam McCullen

The Picturebook Makers series reveals the picturebook’s immense creative potential, celebrates outstanding international picturebooks and their creators, and constitutes an inspiring collection of picturebook knowledge for anyone interested in this unique 

and dynamic art form.

"When the words and the pictures communicate different things at the same time, a third reality is created in the mind of the reader."

"Picturebooks have the power to convey universal sentiments and challenging themes in deceptively simple ways, engaging with the hearts and minds of readers directly and concisely."

The editor of The Picturebook Makers says: 

"I was becoming increasingly frustrated with the all-too-common misconception that making picturebooks is an easy thing to do, and I wanted to show people the hard work, dedication, passion, skill and of course time it takes to make picturebooks of outstanding quality."

In 2014 dPICTUS launched their blog Picturebook Makers. "The artists who feature on the blog are not interviewed; they're just asked to tell the stories of how their picturebooks came to be."

In the first book from this series we meet these twelve illustrators: Jon Klassen, Kitty Crowther, Beatrice Alemagna, Shaun Tan, Eva Lindström, Blexbolex, Chris Haughton, Suzy Lee, Bernardo P. Carvalho, Isol, Manuel Marsol, and Johanna Schaible.

In the second book we meet: Carson Ellis, Axel Scheffler, Anna Höglund, Sydney Smith, Kristin Roskifte, André Letria, Issa Watanabe, Valerio Vidali & Violeta Lópiz, Anete Melece, Vincent Pianina, Marika Maijala, and Jimmy Liao.

Many of these names may be unfamiliar to you here in Australia but hopefully through this blog post you will make some new discoveries. 

See inside Part 2 here.

Valerio Vidali and Violeta Lopiz (Italy and Spain) The Forest.  I previously talked about Hundred illustrated by Valerio Vidali. 

This image is the front cover. The Forest has 70 pages. The bookseller notes say: A lyrical book about the adventure of life, The Forest is also a magnificent visual work, both painterly and a technical feat of paper engineering. Here, sensory experience and the textures of the material world are rendered through die-cuts, embossing, cutouts, and two gatefolds. A beautifully considered work. Riccardo Bozzi was born in Milan in 1966. He is a journalist for the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. Violeta Lópiz is an illustrator from the Spanish island of Ibiza. Her beautifully textured work is filled with personality and playfulness. Valerio Vidali is an Italian illustrator based in Berlin. Vidali enjoys botanical gardens and spends his spare time building kites that rarely fly.

Leonard Marcus "The Forest is one of the richest, most surprising picture books I've ever read. A true work of art in every sense, including as bookmaking. It's a landmark."

Here is the Kirkus review. 

Marika Maijala (Finland) Rosie Runs (Ruusun Matka).

Bookseller blurb: Rosie dreams of forests, meadows, hares, and freedom. Trapped at the racetrack, she sprints in endless circles - until one day, Rosie makes a fearless beeline to the enormous world beyond the track. Scared and a little excited too, Rosie runs through shadowy forests, a circus, a bustling train station, and even takes a quick dip alongside a ferry. She keeps running through small towns and whirling cities, observing the gentle, giddy moments of passersby. Readers will find peace in a private look at a man watering his plants, or a jolt of happiness at a long-snouted dog wearing a cap on a train. A book about taking in the wide world around you, Rosie Runs beckons young readers to rediscover their favorite hobbies and passions, and revel in the joy of playing and being among new friends.

Kirkus Star review.

Carson Ellis (USA) Home

Bookseller blurb: Home might be a house in the country, a flat in the city, or even a shoe. There are clean homes, messy homes, sea homes and bee homes. Home resides on the road or the sea, in the realm of myth, or in the artist's own studio. This loving look at the places where people live brims with intriguing characters and is a visual treat that demands many a return visit.

Here is the Kirkus review. Home is available here in Australia in paperback for a good price. 

Anete Melece (Latvia) The Kiosk

Bookseller blurb: For years, the kiosk has been Olga’s life. She spends her days inside reading travel magazines and dreaming of distant places. One day a chance occurrence turns her upside down—literally—and sets her off on an unexpected journey. The Kiosk is a warm and curious story about someone who is stuck finding a way to be free. The story was originally produced as a short animation which gained international recognition and was selected for over 100 festivals around the world.

Andre Letria (Portugal) War (A Guerra)

Here is the Kirkus Star review.

Issa Watanabe (Peru) Migrants

Bookseller blurb: A heart-stoppingly beautiful wordless picture book about migration and empathy. The migrants must leave the forest. Borders are crossed, sacrifices made, loved ones are lost. It takes such courage to reach the end. At last the journey is over and the migrants arrive. This is the new place. Through extraordinarily powerful images, Migrants narrates the journey of a group of animals that leaves behind a leafless forest. With forceful simplicity, Migrants shows us the courage, loss and underlying hope migration takes. And that arriving in a new land may mean burying a portion of the past. Children will empathise quickly with the elegantly illustrated animal characters, each of whom have their own identity with details like clothing, colour choices and expressions. The dark pages add weight to the silence of their journey and the individual animals help make the story a universal one. A perfect book to help teach children about refugees and migration, with humanity, inclusivity and empathy. Readers can’t fail to be moved by this deeply emotional and thought-provoking tale.

Read the Kirkus Star review. 

Sydney Smith (Canada) Do you remember?

Bookseller blurb: Tucked up in bed at their new flat, a boy and his mum share memories. Some are idyllic, like a picnic with Dad, but others are more surprising: a fall from a bike into soft piled hay, the smell of an old oil lamp when a rainstorm blew the power out. Now it’s just the two of them, and the house where all of those memories happened is far away. But maybe someday, this will be a favourite memory, too: happy and sad, an end and a beginning intertwined.

Here are all my previous posts about Sydney Smith winner of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Medal. He will be a keynote speaker at the 40th IBBY Congress this year - 2026.

Axel Scheffler (Germany) The Gruffalo

Jimmy Liao (Taiwan) The Starry Starry Night

Jimmy Liao is the illustrator of a very important book - The Sound of Colours. I talked about his book When the Moon forgot here. I'm not sure that the book featured in The Picturebook Makers  (The Starry Starry Night) is available in Engish. I did have this glorious book in my former school library. 

Kristin Roskifte (Norway) Everybody Counts 

Book seller blurb: This fun book teaches you to count from 0 to 7.5 billion, but also to do so much more. Follow the characters' stories through the book and see how their lives collide with those of others. There are a lot of secrets to be discovered for the sharp-eyed! You'll see that everyone is different, everyone has their own life, and that - most importantly - everybody counts. At the end, a spotting section allows you to go back and have even more fun.

The sequel to Everybody Counts is Everybody Travels. 

Anna Hoglund (Sweden) There are three titles to explore - The Shadow; Didi and Gogo waiting for the bus; and Whereof one only speaks with Rabbits.

None of these titles are available in English. But you may have seen this one:

You can see Shaun Tan listed for Book One - I would like to suggest these Australian illustrators if Book Three is published in the future: Bob Graham; Freya Blackwood; Jeannie Baker; Zeno Sworder; Marc Martin; and Ann James.

Bear's Lost Glasses by Leo Timmers

Every child will be laughing as Bear hunts for his glasses (we can see them on his head the whole time).

Bear is sure he left his glasses with is friend Giraffe. He sets off and along the way he meets a deer and a crocodile and an elephant and even a flamingo - well he thinks he has seen all these animals and a colourful bird, but has he? The final scene where Bear takes off his glasses once again is sure to make you smile.

Leo Timmers’ details are full of expression and humor—the angle of Giraffe’s neck and lift of his eyebrows, hiding his skepticism as he helps his friend, the dear, artless bear. Through an ingenious telling of this classic comical situation, Leo Timmers shows us how to enjoy the world through different eyes. Walker Books

Here is a short video where Leo Timmers talks about his book. 

I needed glasses in Primary School, but I resisted wearing them. By the time I reached senior High School I really did need them but I didn't realise this. One day I said to a friend - I do wish someone would clean and repaint the blackboard (yes I am that old) because it sure is hard to read. Ha ha - I needed glasses.

So, on one level Bear's lost Glasses is about wearing glasses but you could also extend this story to a discussion about the way we see the world. If you do want ideas of books to share about wearing glasses take a look at this post from Kinderbookswitheverything.

Congratulations to Gecko Press on giving us another fabulous Leo Timmers books. I am so glad they can share international titles translated into English - they are always such a treat.

A humorous, delightful tale about finding wonderful new ways to see the world. Kirkus

Leo Timmers was born in 1970 in Belgium. At the age of 12 he started to draw comics and later trained in graphic design. He illustrates for magazines and newspapers and has released many successful picture books. He has a large following as one of Belgium’s pre-eminent picture book artists. Leo Timmers was a 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee. Here are some other books by Leo Timmers:

Ava's Poppy by Marcus Pfister

Ava's Poppy was published in 2012 but it is a new discovery for me - that is why I LOVE libraries. This is a simple story about a little girl who finds and loves a beautiful red poppy flower. She cares for it tenderly and carefully. Sadly, the flower does eventually die. But do not despair because the power of nature means that spring comes again and a new flower emerges. Make sure you take time to compare the front and back end papers. 

Bookseller blurb: Ava is delighted when she discovers a brilliant red poppy in the middle of her yard.

She sits with the little flower in the sunny days of summer and shields it from the rain, until one day the petals start to drop and the tiny flower fades away. But when spring comes again... Ava is surprised anew.

Though this could be a sad story, the author finds a way to end the tale on a high note that is full of hope. Through the Looking Glass

The art in this book really stands out. It is quite different from other books by the well-known illustrator Marcus Pfister (Rainbow Fish). The original title is Lisas Mohnblume.

Here is part of the Publisher's Weekly book review of Ava's Poppy:

"Employing a gentle tone, Pfister encapsulates the circle of life in this sweetly simple story about a girl’s fondness for a flower. When ginger-haired Ava spies a bright red poppy in the field near her home one summer day, she recognizes it as both a thing of beauty and a new friend. Weeks pass, and faithful Ava “looked after her friend with tender loving care,” protecting it from the wind, shielding it from rain, and watering it. The flower eventually turns brown and withers, and Ava marks the sad occasion by burying the plant and arranging a ring of memorial stones in the poppy’s special spot. The subsequent spring brings with it a welcome new friend where the old one used to be, as readers will likely guess."

If you want to read a different perspective on this book take a look at the Kirkus review.

Marcus Pfister was born in Bern, Switzerland. After studying at the Art School of Bern, he apprenticed as a graphic designer and worked in an advertising agency before becoming self-employed in 1984. His debut picture book, The Sleepy Owl, was published by North South in 1986, but his big breakthrough came 6 years later with The Rainbow Fish. Marcus illustrated over 50 books, which have been translated into more than 50 languages and received countless international awards.

The Water Lotus: The journey of a lotus seed by Yingting Chen illustrated by Huaqing translated by Adam Casciaro and Liu Yinan

Last week it was International Flower Day - who knew? I saw this post from my friend at Kinderbookswitheverything. She shared some terrific picture books and last week we set up a display of her books which feature flowers. This one about the lotus flower caught my eye.

The cover of The Water Flower is so appealing with pastel tones of pink and pale green and gold lettering. This is one of those 'newish' style nonfiction books that combines a simple narrative and small text which goes into more scientific details so this is a book you could share with a young child aged 5+ or with a high school botany or biology student. There are also two double spreads in this book with no words - just glorious art. My only comment would be that I would have loved a glossary - but along the way I discovered words like corolla, pistil, stamen, node, and I now know a little about how lotus plants get oxygen even though they are growing under water. Teacher-Librarians might take a closer look at the books in their library collection to see just how many are about flowers and their life cycles - examples perhaps beyond the usual one of the sunflower. 

Publisher blurb: From its beginnings in a peaceful pond, The Water Flower chronicles the journey of a sleepy seed that awakens in spring, pushing through its shell to grow leaves reaching for the sunlight. As summer arrives, it blooms into a stunning flower, opening and closing its petals each day, attracting passing insects. After completing its beautiful display, the flower fades, revealing new seeds inside a pod, ready to begin the cycle again. This story offers a glimpse into the lotus seed's remarkable transformation across seasons.

See inside this book here

Lyrical language and artful illustrations present the life of a lotus and the resilience it represents. A lotus seed falls into the soil and drifts into a deep sleep. It awakens, unfurling tender buds and wide green leaves. Then, the flower blooms, its brilliant petals opening to the sun. And soon enough, another lotus seed falls, starting the cycle all over again… This is a book to share with children of different ages. Reading Rockets

Follow the lotus through the seasons, see each step of its journey, and discover the endless life cycle of this beautiful flower. Beautiful artwork highlighted with foil on the jacket brings the science of a lotus flower’s life cycle to vivid life. The fascinating facts about the beauty and resilience of a lotus seed’s transformation will help inspire a lifelong love of the natural world. YA Books Central

The main narrative in larger print tells the story of the flower, with botanical terms relating to the functions and anatomy of the plant being in a smaller print. Particularly lovely are the wordless double spreads, one showing leaves soaking up the sunlight with a bird sheltering beneath, the second shows several stages in the cycle- bud, flowers and seed head – in one scene. Books for Keeps

The life cycle of the lotus begins with its seeds. Lotus seeds are small and black and come from the lotus plant’s flower. The lotus plant is adapted to grow in many different types of habitats, from murky ponds to sunny riverbanks. As a result, it has developed a method for ensuring that its seeds have the best chance of germination. The method used by the lotus is to produce many seeds. By releasing large quantities of seeds into the environment, the plant increases its chances that at least a few of them will find the ideal conditions for growth and avoid consumption by aquatic life. In addition, lotus seeds are very durable and can remain viable for many years. This allows the plant to survive even harsh conditions that would kill most other plants. 

As a result of these adaptations, the lotus is one of the most successful plants in the world. Lotus seeds germinate in the mud usually at the bottom of bodies of water. Once the seeds are released, some will begin to germinate in wet soil or water beds. It can take anywhere from two weeks to two months for the seeds to germinate. After germination, they begin to sprout. A tiny seedling will emerge from the seed coat, and roots will start to grow down into the mud. The seedlings will then start producing leaves, which will rise to the water’s surface. The lotus plant will continue to grow, growing more leaves and flowers, until it eventually reaches the surface of the water. The lotus flower typically blooms for only a few days for pollination to occur. Each day the flowers bloom, at nightfall they will close up and sink back into the water or mud only to re-emerge beautifully intact the following day. Source Earth.com

USBBY Outstanding International Books 2026

 

Our list is for the curious: readers who are open to going on exciting journeys through the pages of a book, educators and librarians who want to introduce young people to the world’s riches, and parents who are consciously striving to make sure their children grow up with the benefits of a global perspective.

It is always exciting to see this list each year. I look for the Australian titles of course but also I look to see if I have already read/seen any of their choices and then I compile a list of books I want to see.

I was so excited to see this Australian title on this prestigious list. I really thought Afloat would be the 2025 CBCA Picture Book of the Year - it was an Honour title

The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) announces its 2026 Outstanding International Books list, featuring 41 exceptional titles for children and young adults published in 2025 and originating from 24 countries. Since 2006, USBBY’s annual lists have introduced young readers in the U.S. to global perspectives, outstanding international creators, and stories that foster empathy, bridge cultures, and build connections. Together, these books show young people around the world seeking connection and belonging—through family, friendship, self-discovery, and engagement with their communities. Spanning diverse cultures and experiences, the stories highlight empathy, resilience, imagination, and the courage to grow. This year’s selections reflect universal themes such as identity, hope, intergenerational bonds, friendship, play, curiosity, migration, nature, and cultural heritage, showcasing the richness of international children’s literature. 

You can see past lists here. Read more details about some of the titles here.

Selection criteria include:

• Books that represent the best of children’s literature from other countries 
• Books that introduce readers in the United States to outstanding authors and illustrators from other countries 
• Books that help children in the United States see the world from other points of view 
• Books that provide a perspective or address a topic otherwise missing from children’s literature in the United States 
• Books that exhibit a distinct cultural flavor 
• Books that are accessible to readers in the United States ​

Criteria for content and presentation include:

• Artistic and literary merit 
• Originality or creativity of approach 
• Distinctiveness of topic 
• Uniqueness of origin 
• Qualities that engage and appeal to children 

​Not every book will meet every individual criterion.

Grades PreK-2 

● Andruetto, María Teresa. Clara and the Man with Books in His Window. tr. from Spanish by Elisa 

Amado. illus. by Martina Trach. Aldana Libros/Greystone Kids. (Argentina) NOTE in my blog post I talked about reading this book to senior students Grade 6 and also in a High School

● Arai, Ryōji. The Snow Theater. tr. from Japanese by David Boyd. Enchanted Lion.  (Japan) 

● Atinuke. M Is for Mango. illus. by Angela Brooksbank. Candlewick Press. (UK/Nigeria) 

● Auh, Dayeon. The Three-Year Tumble. tr. from German by Tim Mohr. NorthSouth Books. (Switzerland/South Korea) 

● Brandelius, Uje. The Playdate. tr. from Swedish by Nichola Smalley. illus. by Clara Dackenberg. 

Lantana. (Sweden) 

● Flett, Julie. My Friend May. Greystone Kids. (Canada) 

● Guarda, María J. Paloma Flies Away. tr. from Spanish by Melanie Córdova. Candlewick Press. (Chile) 

● Kim, Hye-Eun. Pencil. TOON Books/Astra Books for Young Readers. (South Korea) 

● Kim, Jihyun. Blue Sky Morning. tr. from Korean by Polly Lawson. Floris Books. (South Korea) 

● Lam, Thao. Everybelly. Groundwood/House of Anansi. (Canada) 

● Liu, Hao. Wrestlers of the Grasslands. tr. from Chinese by Clavis Publishing. Clavis  (China) 

● López, Azul. Croco. tr. from Spanish by Kit Maude. Tapioca Stories. (Mexico) 

● Ohnari, Yuko. Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash! tr. from Japanese by Emily Balistrieri. illus. by 

Koshiro Hata. Red Comet Press. (Japan) 

● Perella, Eugenia. My Home Is In My Backpack. tr. from Spanish by Sally Polson. illus. by Angela 

Salerno. Floris Books. (Chile) 

● Saunders, Kirli. Afloat. illus. by Freya Blackwood. Levine Querido. (Australia) 

● Schuff, Nicolás. How to Reach the Moon. tr. from Spanish by Lawrence Schimel. illus. by Ana Sender. Amazon Crossing Kids. (Argentina) 

● Tallec, Olivier. Is It Asleep? tr. from French by Antony Shugaar. Gecko Press. (France) 

● Xiong, Liang. Take a Walk with the Wind. tr. from Chinese by Chloe Garcia Roberts. Elsewhere Editions. (China) 

● Xu Bin. Picking Tea with Baba. tr. from Chinese by Shan Chen. illus. by Yu Yin. Charlesbridge. 

(China) 

Grade 3-5 

● Dautremer, Rébecca. The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough. tr. from French by 

Charis Ainslie. illus. by author. Post Wave. (France) 

● Djupvik, Laura. My Brother. tr. from Norwegian by Martin Aitken. illus. by Øyvind Torseter. 

Elsewhere Editions. (Norway) 

● Fadeeva, Olga. Sound: Discovering the Vibrations We Hear. tr. from Russian by Lena Traer. illus. by 

author. Eerdmans. (Russia) 

● Kashiwaba, Sachiko. The Village Beyond the Mist. tr. from Japanese by Avery Fischer Udagawa. 

illus. by Miho Satake. Yonder/Restless Books. (Japan) 

● Krishnaswami, Uma. The Sunshine Project. illus. by Julianna Swaney. Groundwood/House of Anansi. 

(Canada/India) 

● McQuoid, Judith. Giant. Little Island. (Ireland/UK) 

● Muñoz Toro, Juliana. Journey of the Humpbacks. tr. from Spanish by Lawrence Schimel. illus. by 

Dipacho. Eerdmans. (Colombia) 

● Naïr, Karthika. Electric Birds of Pothakudi. illus. by Joëlle Jolivet. Abrams. (France/India) 

Grades 6-8  

● Åstot, Moa Backe. Butterfly Heart. tr. from Swedish by Agnes Broomé. Levine Querido. (Sweden) 

● Bjerkeland, Ingvild. Beasts. tr. from Norwegian by Rosie Hedger. Levine Querido. (Norway) 

● Dzotap, Alain Serge. Adi of Boutanga: A Story from Cameroon. tr. from French by author. illus. by 

Marc Daniau. Eerdmans. (France/Cameroon) 

● Go, Jung-soon. Okchundang Candy. tr. from Korean by Aerin Park. illus. by author. Levine Querido. 

(South Korea) 

● Lessore, Nathanael. Dropping Beats. Little, Brown. (UK) 

● Mansour, Vivian. Pilgrim Codex. tr. from Spanish by Carlos Rodríguez Cortez. illus. by Emmanuel 

Valtierra. Levine Querido. (Mexico) 

● Marsol, Manuel. Astro. tr. from Spanish by Lizzie Davis. illus. by author. Transit Books. (Spain) 

● Rundberg, Johan. Biggest Fake in the Universe. tr. from Swedish by Eva Apelqvist. Amazon Crossing 

Kids. (Sweden) 

● Said, SF. Tyger. illus. by Dave McKean. Penguin Workshop/Penguin Random House. (UK)

View the High School list here. We also have a title on this list: The Hidden Girl by Louise Bassett (Walker Books)

Past posts about the outstanding lists - 2022; 2023; 2025.