Reading the World's Stories is volume 5 in the Bridges to Understanding series of annotated international youth literature bibliographies sponsored by the United States Board on Books for Young People. USBBY is the United States chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), a Switzerland-based nonprofit whose mission is bring books and children together. The series promotes sharing international children's books as a way to facilitate intercultural understanding and meet new literary voices. This volume follows Children's Books from Other Countries (1998), The World though Children's Books (2002), Crossing Boundaries with Children's Books (2006), and Bridges to Understanding: Envisioning the World through Children's Books (2011) and acts as a companion book to the earlier titles. Centered around the theme of the importance of stories, the guide is a resource for discovering more recent global books that fit many reading tastes and educational needs for readers aged 0-18 years. Essays by storyteller Anne Pellowski, author Beverley Naidoo, and academic Marianne Martens offer a variety of perspectives on international youth literature. This latest installment in the series covers books published from 2010-2014 and includes English-language imports as well as translations of children's and young adult literature first published outside of the United States. These books are supplemented by a smaller number of culturally appropriate books from the US to help fill in gaps from underrepresented countries. The organization of the guide is geographic by region and country. All of the more than 800 entries are recommended, and many of the books have won awards or achieved other recognition in their home countries. Forty children's book experts wrote the annotations. The entries are indexed by author, translator, illustrator, title, and subject. Back matter also includes international book awards, important organizations and research collections, and a selected directory of publishers known for publishing books from other countries.

A confidence-boosting story about a little one's first haircut from the creators of Hat On, Hat Off, Baby Cakes, and Where's Bunny? Uh oh, hair in eyes-it's time for this little one's first haircut. The barbershop comes alive with sensory details as he watches other customers and bravely takes his own turn in the chair. Clip, clip, clip...Now there is a big boy in the mirror! Theo Heras and Renne Benoit once again capture the toddler experience with simplicity and charm. In this "Toddler Tough" book complete with a padded cover, rounded corners, and extra-heavy pages that are easy to turn and hard to tear, The Haircut is perfect for little ones who are just beginning to feel big.

Baby is getting dressed to go out. But as often as his big sister adds a new piece of clothing, he tosses his hat aside. It's time for this little one to go out. But which hat will he choose? Red hat, blue hat, striped hat, penguin hat, teddy bear hat? Once that decision is made, that hat just doesn't stay on while shoes are tied and a jacket is buttoned. One more visit to the potty. And once this child is in the stroller at last, will that hat be on his head? Toddlers will delight in choosing their own hats after sharing charming story, now available in sturdy board book format. A simple, rhythmic text that reflects the everyday challenge of getting a busy toddler ready to go out. Written by Theo Heras and Illustrated with gentle humor by Renne Benoit. "Intimate and cozy...A seemingly simple story is greatly enhanced by nuanced, toddler-friendly details."-Kirkus Reviews

The getting-ready-for-bed book that Kirkus Reviews called "empowering" and "nicely child-centered" is finally a board book! The endearing siblings of Theo Heras' and Renne Benoit's Hat On, Hat Off and Baby Cakes are back in a sweet celebration of bedtime. Humor, helpfulness, and heart combine as Baby's big sister helps to see him-and, of course, his stuffed bunny-through the nighttime routine from cleaning up toys to bath to bed. Little listeners will connect with familiar sensory language of warm, tickly water and blanket snuggles. Preschoolers can chime in with Theo Heras' brief, descriptive text, and children of all ages will enjoy Renne Benoit's watercolor and digital art, full of big baby faces and warm pastel colors. A final spread shares a bedtime checklist to help make bedtime a happy time for the whole family.

Measuring, following steps, and trying again after messy mistakes are all part of the fun when these tots and their kitty help with the baking. The sibling duo from Where's Bunny? are back in another household adventure, exploring and playing in the kitchen. These little ones know that baking is hard and messy work, but it sure is fun. Put on an apron, gather ingredients, measure the flour-try to keep kitty off the counter! Wash sticky fingers, and let mommy put the cakes in the oven. Waiting is the hardest part, but time flies for these playmates whose patience is rewarded with more than just baby cakes. Little helpers will be keen to work in the kitchen after reading this sweet story. Told in simple text and delivered in a sturdy Toddler Tough board-book format that is perfect for little hands, Baby Cakes highlights curiosity being explored right at home. The small and familiar moments of childhood are cherished in these heart-warming books written by Theo Heras and illustrated by the award-winning Renne Benoit.

Baby and his older sister are helping with the baking, but kitty wants to help too. After some mischief, messes, and minor mishaps, everybody gets to enjoy the treats together. The sibling duo from Hat On, Hat Off are back in another household adventure, exploring and playing in the kitchen. These little ones know baking is hard and messy work, but it sure is fun. Put on an apron, gather ingredients, measure the flour—try to keep kitty off the counter! Wash sticky fingers, and let mommy put the cakes in the oven. Waiting is the hardest part, but time flies for these playmates whose patience is rewarded with more than just baby cakes. Little helpers will be keen to work in the kitchen after reading this sweet story. Told in simple text, and delivered in a sturdy, padded cover with stronger pages that are perfect for little hands, Baby Cakes highlights curiosity being explored right at home. The small and familiar moments of childhood are cherished in these heart-warming books written by Theo Heras and illustrated by the award-winning Renné Benoit.