World Kid Lit Month 2023: A book by a speaker of an Indigenous or First Nations language

A Book by a Speaker of an Indigenous or First Nations Language: 

Listen. 
By Duncan Smith and Nicole Godwin; with paintings by Jandamarra Cadd. 

Wild Dog, 2023. 

This is an invitation to healing and walking together proper way - 

One heart One people One mob. J.C. 

Striking and compelling in its surface simplicity, this is a wonder to behold. 

The use of colour - and black and white. 

The weaving together of Western and Aboriginal art traditions. 

The culture, beliefs, and ethos of the Aboriginal peoples are deeply embedded. So deep, that the book appears simple. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A bilingual book

 A Bilingual Book: 

First Signs: Everyday Words
Designed and illustrated by Jenna Brockett. 

Jenna Brockett, 2022. 

What's better than a bilingual book? A tri-lingual one!

In all three of Aotearoa New Zealand's official languages: 

• te reo Māori
• New Zealand sign language. 
• English. 

Simple , but effective. 

I like how the illustrator has chosen to depict the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand's peoples. 

Bonus cat. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A book by an author of colour

A Book by an Author of Colour: 

Big. 
By Vashti Harrison. 

Little Brown / Puffin Books, 2023. 

This is beautiful. 

And heart-breaking.

And inspiring. 

It has made me think about phrases I use, when talking to children. 'Wow, you're getting big!' 

The use of colour - from pink to grey and back - is amazing.

The changes in perspective and the use of the full double-page spread. 

An incredible work of love and art. 

Bonus cat. 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: A book translated from a language you don't know

A Book Translated from a Language You Don't Know:

Our Dreaming
Written by Kirli Saunders; illustrated by Dub Leffler. 

Scholastic Australia, 2022.

Technically, not completely translated - but concepts and words in Gundungurra are included in the main text, with translations in the back.

This is something I am familiar with, with many books published in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

As te reo Māori (the Maōri language) has become more and more 'mainstream' the translations have disappeared.

There are books where the te reo Māori words aren't translated at all - because we know them. We use them in our everyday conversations and writing. 

I want this for the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia - throughout the world. 

I pay my respects to Elders past, present, and future. 

PS it has glitter on the covers! 

World Kid Lit Month 2023: Introduction

It's the fourth year I've taken part in World Lit Month! 

In 2020, we were coming out of Lockdowns (with mandates in place) and taking part in World Kid Lit Month was a welcome relief. 

It was also a chance to share the amazing work of amazing creators from Aotearoa New Zealand. 

In 2021, we were back in Lockdown. Travelling around the world gave me something to do, while trying to work from home. (It is very tricky, working from home, when more than half your job is spent front-of-house, doing direct customer service.) 

In 2022, I enjoyed the challenge of trying to complete the Bingo board!

This year, it's been fun trying to complete the Bingo board - without repeating books! 

I posted photos of my original collection - but have made some changes. ie I realised I'd posted some previously.