The English translations of three Chinese children's books were listed on the 2018 Outstanding International Books list (OIB) by the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY).
"Little Rabbit's Questions," one of the three books, was written and illustrated by Gan Dayong, translated by Helen Wang and published by Candied Plums, which was co-founded by China Educational Publications Import and Export Corporation Ltd. and Paper Republic Llc.
It features a little rabbit who is full of questions, and his mom answers him in a way that makes him feel safe and be loved. The illustrations are in soft-colored traditional Chinese brush painting style.
The other two books were written by Cao Wenxuan, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2016.
"Bronze and Sunflower," translated by Helen Wang, illustrated by Meilo So, and published by Candlewick Press, tells the story of a mute boy who begs his family to take an orphan into their home.
"Feather," translated by Chloe Garcia Roberts, illustrated by Roger Mello, and published by Elsewhere Editions, depicts a feather traveling far and wide to seek its owner.
This year the OIB committee selected 38 titles published in various countries around the world. These books help young readers understand cultural, ethnic, and geographical differences and similarities.
The USBBY has been publishing its annual OIB list since 2006. Each year, books are selected by a committee appointed from the membership of the USBBY, the U.S. section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).