Spanish-Language Books for Military Kids: A Growing Resource
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Loading... - Minna Virtanen
- 11 Dec 2024
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In response to the increasing demand for Spanish-language children's books from military family support centers, publisher Karen Pavlicin has taken significant steps to fill this gap. As the CEO of Elva Resa Publishing, a company dedicated to creating resources for military families, Pavlicin recognized the need for stories that reflect the unique experiences of military children, particularly those who speak Spanish.
This year, Elva Resa Publishing released several new bilingual children's books that focus on military life, including three titles from the Operación Aviación (Operation Aviation) series. Written by Air Force C-17 pilot Teri Weber and translated into Spanish by Gabriella Aldeman, these picture books are designed for young readers aged four to eight. The series includes:
i. “Vuela con Maytai” / “Fly with Mytai” - The story of an F-22 Raptor in training.
ii. “El Tanquecito” / “Toad the Tanker” - Featuring a KC-135 Stratotanker that provides fuel to other aircraft.
iii. “La misión de Alce” / “Moose on a Mission” - Introducing a C-17 Globemaster carrying cargo around the world.
These books not only highlight various types of military aircraft but also emphasize teamwork and support among them. The Spanish edition of “Vuela con Maytai” received a gold medal from the International Latino Book Awards, showcasing the quality of Aldeman’s translation work.
The collaborative effort among the author, translator, and illustrator, Brenda Harris, was crucial in ensuring that the stories resonated in both languages. Aldeman described the challenge of translating in rhyme as a "fun puzzle," aiming to provide Spanish-speaking readers with an experience equivalent to that of English-speaking readers. The team engaged in thoughtful discussions about titles, character names, and cultural nuances to ensure the stories were relatable and engaging for both audiences.
Harris, who grew up in a Spanish-speaking household, expressed her personal connection to the project, noting the importance of having more Spanish-language books available for children. She emphasized the need for the illustrations to make sense in both languages, adapting to the varying lengths of text while maintaining aesthetic consistency.
In addition to the Operación Aviación series, Elva Resa has released other bilingual titles this year, including:
i. “Duck & Rabbit ABC Military Adventure/Pato y Conejo ABC aventura militar” by Jennifer Sipos and Jennifer Rose Freeland, which combines both languages in one volume.
ii. “Star’s Purpose” / “El propósito de Estrella” by Krista Betcher, available in separate Spanish and English editions.
Pavlicin highlighted the publisher's commitment to producing bilingual materials, which began in earnest in 2021 with the release of “¡Atrapa la estrella!” (the Spanish version of “Night Catch”), a picture book about deployment. The positive feedback from librarians and educators has encouraged Elva Resa to consider Spanish editions for all new children’s books moving forward.
Looking ahead, Pavlicin noted that Elva Resa is also tracking requests for adult books in Spanish, aiming to address the specific needs of military units and family support directors. The overarching goal remains to create quality resources that support military families, ensuring that their diverse experiences are represented in literature.
