Found in Tranlation: Batchelder Books

Off I went to my next session. I attended the Batchelder Book Award conversation to find out more about the process and the difficulties of getting books translated. This conversation was led by Annette Goldsmith who did her thesis on this subject.

Initially, she gave a quick overview of the award and its history. She discussed the barriers that editors encounter when making decisions. It is difficult for them to rely on others to read books in different languages. These editors need to have a close relationship with their readers and an understanding of their tastes and criteria.

The editors attend Bologna Book Fair, make connections with agents, and keep track of award winners in other countries. They expressed that there is very little training opportunities out there today, so very few people take on the challenge of publishing translated books or know how to go about it.

The conclusions that can be drawn are the following: 1) Editors can learn more about publishing translations, 2) The industry should address the lack of training, 3) Editors should consider learning another language, 4) Chain bookstores should carry more translations, 5) Children's book professionals should promote these books more often to young readers.

So, I began to think about my role as an LMC Director and what I can do. It takes an effort to learn about translated books and order them for your library. Also, it takes enthusiasm for that book to get children to want to read it. An example that is happening at my school this year is the introduction of Chinese with the 4th graders. My school has begun teaching Chinese in 4th grade and will then move it to 5th grade next year. The librarians in my district are talking about ordering more books about China, but it was my suggestion to order translated books and search for books published in China to give our students the chance to see authentic literature from another country. This is where it begins. If I say to my representative of Follett that I want more books like this, she can pass that along and begin the pressure. Publishers will never go in this direction if the public doesn't ask for them. As I develop my book collection, it is my duty to provide rich, authentic books that don't always appear in the large chain bookstores.