Outstanding Literary Translations

The Outstanding Literary Translations of adult books from the last 50 years was recently provided by the Times Online.

What are your favorite adult translated books that are not included in this list?

International Publishing Professionals

Kane/Miller represents nearly 24 countries in our list of award-winning children's books from around the world.

I have come here to the Stanford Professional Publishing Course to meet new people, take home new skills, explore others' ideas and, hopefully, incorporate most of what I learned into the business and marketing plan for the future of our company.

While there are representatives here from both the book and magazine side of the industry, there are also publishing professionals here from - ironically - about 24 countries.

Over the last few days, I've sat down with professionals from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Of course there's still dozens of other people who I have yet to talk to.

My horoscope this morning (I read it every day) states:

A foreign person will have a very positive influence in your life today, especially if they are a person from your past...

I may not know anyone here from my past but perhaps Kane/Miller's history will play a role.

Love in Any Language

by Lisa Smith

We are all familiar with the US version of the Valentine’s Celebration – but how do other cultures celebrate the Holiday?

In the UK a character called 'Jack' Valentine knocks on the rear door of houses leaving sweets and presents for children.

In Wales many people celebrate St Dwynwen's Day on 25 January instead of, or as well as, St Valentine's Day. The day commemorates St Dwynwen, the patron saint of Welsh lovers.

In Finland, Valentine's Day is called Ystävänpäivä which translates into "Friend's day". As the name says, this day is more about remembering your friends than your loved ones.

In Slovenia, a proverb says that "St Valentine brings the keys of roots," so on February 14, plants and flowers start to grow. Another proverb says "Valentin - prvi spomladin" ("Valentine — first saint of spring"), as in some places, Saint Valentine marks the beginning of spring.

To put a unique spin on Valentine’s Day try incorporating some of the other special traditions practiced by cultures around the world.

• Leave a present for your child on the doorstep from Jack Valentine.

• Spend time with your friends and encourage your children to do the same. Focus on fellowship more than the feelings of love.

• Plant flowers, trees or bushes in celebration of the coming of Spring.
  

Valentine’s Day can be a fun and memorable day for children, families, parents and singles alike if we look at the Holiday through a different pair of eyes.

Lisa Smith has a BA in psychology, & is the Owner of Regionz Kidz http://www.regionzkidz.com a multi-cultural infant and toddler clothing line with ethnically diverse characters and designs. She publishes a blog on the Regionz Kidz website that features articles about cultural diversity and children & she is a guest blogger on several other websites and blogs relating to parenting and children’s issues. She is also a monthly contributor to Educated Mommy Magazine.