Sandhya made a great suggestion in the comments on my previous post – to put up a list of all the countries from where we had families participating in the postcard swap. That would have been too easy (!) so in addition to the list of countries, I’ve added a link or two to interesting bits and pieces about children’s literature or individual books for each country. These are not meant to be representative of children’s literature in the given country – it’s more of a pot pourri sort of approach – hopefully you’ll discover some new gems and have your appetite whetted for some world literature!
Argentina
A selection of Argentinian books from Travel for Kids
On hunting for genuine Argentinian kids’ books by DadWagon
A brief biography of Argentinian illustrator, author and Singer, Isol
Australia (we had participants from New South Wales, Norther Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, Western Australia)
The Book Chook – a fantabulous kids’ books’ site from an Australian author passionate about literacy
A brief history of Australian children’s books from the Australian Government
Children’s Book Council of Australia
Bahamas
The House in the Sky: A Bahamian Folktale
Bermuda
An extensive list of books about Bermuda, including non fiction, books for adults, cookery books and more
Brunei
An article about a recent book fair in Brunei
Bulgaria
Images of Bulgarian stamps issued in April this year featuring children’s books
A selection of highly regarded children’s literature from Bulgaria from the International Children’s Digital Library
Canada (We had participants from Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan)
Information on a brand new book – the first major history ever on Canadian children’s illustrated books
Czech Republic
An article about the magical world of Czech children’s book illustrator Štěpán Zavřel
England
Booktrust – an independent UK-wide charity dedicated to encouraging people of all ages and cultures to enjoy books.
France
The National Centre for Youth Literature (in French)
Germany
The picture book museum Burg Wissem in Troisdorf
Litrix – Your Portal for the Worldwide Promotion of Contemporary German Literature.
India
Pratham Books – a non-profit trust that aims to provide high quality children’s books in regional Indian languages for children across India
Fabulous Picture books about India – An Amazon Listmania List
Israel
New Perspectives on Israel From Three New Picture Books
Children’s Literature in Hebrew, from the Jewish Women’s Archive
Italy
An introduction to Italian Children’s Books – in pdf
Andersen – The Journal of Children’s Books (in Italian)
Japan
Japanese Picture Books – An Amazon Listmania List
The Uninhibited Brush – A thousand years of Japanese picture books.
Picture Books for Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Part 3 (Japan), from Jama Rattigan
La Réunion
Alex Gauvin – a writer (for grown ups) from La Reunion
Daniel Vaxelaire – a writer based in La Reunion who writes for children as well as adults
Perhaps the coolest link on this page – Asterix in Reunion creole!
Marshall Islands
Surf War!: A Folktale from the Marshall Islands
Morocco
The Bachelor and the Bean – A Moroccan Jewish story
The Butter Man – A Moroccan theme picture book
Laila Lalami Discusses Moroccan Children’s Literature
A list of Moroccan / Moroccan themed books, including children’s books, from Friends of Morocco
New Zealand
Learning About New Zealand through Picture Books – for full text click through to the word document
New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults
Pakistan
Pakistani / Pakistani themed books from Asia Book Room
Children’s Books in Pakistan by Rumana Husain
Poland
A Polish picture pick from Bookseller.com
Republic of Ireland
Ireland names Siobhán Parkinson first children’s laureate
Children’s Books Ireland
Scotland
Scottish Book Trust/
Itchy Coo – an imprint which publishes bestselling books in Scots for children and young people
Singapore
A selection of children’s books from Singapore
Jessie Wee – an author of children’s books from Singapore
Hedwis Anuar Children’s Book Award
South Africa
100 Representative South African Books for Children and Young People 2007
“The Best of South African Picture Books”
Spain
A selection of kids’ books about Spain from Travel for Kids
Switzerland
Reference to an article titled “A Selection of Swiss Picture Books in American Translation” – if anyone has access to this article, could them let me know 
Swiss books and their illustrations, from the Swiss Arts Councils
Swiss Institute for Children’s and Youth Media (which includes literature!)
A selection of Swiss children’s books
The Netherlands
An amazing collection of images from Dutch Picture books from 1810 to 1950
A Dutch picture book available in English well worth a look!
Dick Bruna’s Miffy – Dutch Bunny Love
The Dutch Children’s Book Museum
USA (We had participants from IN, WA, ID, NC, TX, VA, FL, MA, AZ, ME, VT, MO, CA, OH, MS, AK, AR, LA, CO, CT, DC, IA, KS, MD, MI, NY, OK, OR, PA, UT, WI)
The Caldecott Medal Home Page!
The American Picture Book: Prologue to the Golden Years
Wales
Publishing for children in Wales – a pdf document
Tir na n-Og Awards from the Welsh Book Council
14 Responses
Fiddler
These are great–I especially look forward to checking the resources for the countries from which we received postcards. Thank you!
Another idea for the U.S.–here is a website that lists children’s books by state:
http://www.mrsmcgowan.com/projects/flags/states_books.htm
Mari-Ann
Go Bermuda!!
Thank you so much for hosting this swap, Zoe. We had a lot of fun receiving postcards from all over the world!
Warmly,
Mari-Ann
Counting Coconuts
http://www.countingcoconuts.blogspot.com
Choxbox
Wow! Awesome swap!
And here are some more links for books from India:
Tulika Books – http://www.tulikabooks.com/
National Book Trust:
http://www.nbtindia.org.in/innerPage.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/books_catalog2.aspx
Childrens Books Trust: http://www.childrensbooktrust.com/cbt.html
Tara Books:
http://www.tarabooks.com/
Concetta at Glittering Shards
What a great idea, thanks for all your work Zoe!
Zoe
Hi Fiddler – thanks for the great link!
Choxbox – you always come up trumps!
Mari-Ann – can you suggest anything more by way of Bermudan books for kids?
Tweets that mention Postcards and books around the world | Playing by the book -- Topsy.com
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Catherine, Zoe Toft. Zoe Toft said: Latest post – dipping our toes into children's literature from around the world http://bit.ly/9edFqN […]
Amy
What a great idea, thanks for all your work Zoe!
Alex
Great post! I haven’t posted our postcards received yet, but will soon.
thanks for putting this swap together, it was wonderful!
Emma Davidson
Thanks for a great postcard swap and this fantastic list of book resources!
Here’s another one from Australia:
http://kids-book-review.blogspot.com/
Reviews of books for Australian children, including some reviews by kids as well as by authors, artists, and mums who love books.
sandhya
Thanks, Zoe, for this post. Here are some more links to books from India.
http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/aboutus.aspx
http://www.karaditales.com/
Zoe @ Playing by the book
Thanks Emma and Sandhya for your links!
Mozi Esmes Mommy
What a great list! I’m wanting to walk through the globe with my daughter next year – this could be fun!
BookishIma
Fantastic list! I’m looking forward to perusing.
Natalie
It’s too bad that I missed the swap, but you solved my geography searches once and for all