Amazon Publishing has announced the launch of Amazon Crossing Kids, a new imprint for picture books in translation. The imprint, the company said, "aims to increase the diversity of children’s picture books in translation and encourage young reading from a range of cultural perspectives."
Amazon Crossing Kids will debut with three picture books, and is seeking picture book submissions from all regions of the world. The first titles on the list are: Spiky, written and illustrated by Ilaria Guarducci and translated by Laura Watkinson, first published in Italy in 2016 and to be released on July 1; A Tiger Like Me, written by Michael Engler, illustrated by Joëlle Tourlonias, and translated by Laura Watkinson, first published in Germany in 2016 and to be released on September 1; and Along the Tapajós, written and illustrated by Fernando Vilela and translated by Daniel Hahn, first published in Brazil in 2015, and to be released on October 1.
Kelsey Skea, editorial director of Amazon children's publishing imprint Two Lions, will also serve as editorial director of Amazon Crossing Kids, working in collaboration with Two Lions editor Marilyn Brigham and Gabriella Page-Fort, editorial director of translated adult fiction imprint Amazon Crossing (and PW Star Watch 2017 Superstar). Both Amazon Crossing and Amazon Crossing Kids accept book proposals from any language for translation into English at translation.amazon.com/submissions.
“We’re delighted to blend the missions of Amazon Crossing and Two Lions by introducing terrific books from around the globe to readers who are beginning to develop their worldview,” Mikyla Bruder, publisher of Amazon Publishing, said in a statement. “Whether a title has a universal theme with regionally-influenced artistry or focuses on an aspect of local culture, our list will encompass a broad range of perspectives, styles, and characters that celebrate what makes us unique as well as what we have in common.”
