Along with being the first day of Women in Translation Month (#WiTMonth), August 1 is also #FavePicBookDay, a full 24 hours to celebrate our favorite picture books. In honor, five new books that hit the sweet spot of favorite picture books written by women and translated to English.

1. The Golden Cage, by Anna Castagnoli, ill. Carll Cneut, tr. Laura Watkinson. 

Matthew Tobin writes: “I went through a lot of emotions in engaging with this book and, after several re-readings, it’s fast becoming my favourite @BookIslandBooks – a modern fairytale for our times.” We concur that this gorgeous, warm retelling is a work of art.

2. Happiness is a Watermelon on Your Head by Stella Dreis, translated by Daniel Hahn.

This is a family favorite. Because what is the secret of happiness if not a watermelon?

At the end of the village, behind a green door,
lived happy Miss Jolly, with Melvin, her boar.
“What makes her so happy? We really must learn!
“Cried her neighbours, Miss Whimper, Miss Grouch and Miss Stern.
“It’s awful being miserable day after day,
Let’s find out her secret! There must be a way!”

(Spoiler: There’s a way.)

3. Inside the Villains – Clotilde Perrin, tr. Daniel Hahn

What can we say — Daniel Hahn knows great picture books. In this extraordinary pop-up book, we discover the secrets of the most famous fairytale villains: giants, wolves and witches.

 

4. Watermelon Madness, by Taghreed Najjar, Maya Fidawi, tr. Najjar

Watermelon + adventure + the gorgeous, fun illustrations of Maya Fidawi.

5. Yours Sincerely, Giraffe, by Megumi Iwasa, ill. Jun Takabatake, tr. Cathy Hirano

Giraffe and Penguin are pen-pals, and they know nothing about each other. Through their funny and sometimes ridiculous letters, they try to understand each other.