THE POLKA PODCAST. Episode 4: Polish Children’s Books

Polish children’s publishing is growing and has a strong focus on striking artistic illustrations, detailed non-fiction, and sensitive real-world topics.

Children’s publishing in Poland is expanding. The National Library of Poland received 3132 children’s titles in 2025, compared with 2829 in 2024. Comics increased by 90 titles to 1579. Practical guides were another growing category, reaching 2191 titles — 278 more than in 2024. 

Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

Classics:

– Julian Tuwim, The Locomotive (illustrated by Jan Le Witt and George Him, translated by Bernard Gutteridge and William J. Peace; Thames and Hudson, 2017; and many other versions)

– Jan Brzechwa, Professor Inkblot’s Academy (translated by Marek Kazmierski, Give the World, 2020)

– Janusz Korczak, King Matt the First (translated by Richard Lourie, Algonquin Books, 2004)

– Janusz Korczak, Kaytek the Wizard (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones, Penlight Publications, 2015)

– Maria Konopnicka, O krasnoludkach i o sierotce Marysi (The Orphan Mary and the Dwarves)

Newer: Hanna Ożogowska, Krystyna Ślesicka, Małgorzata Musierowicz, Czesław Janczarski (Miś Uszatek – Teddy Floppy Ear), Tadeusz Baranowski (Podróż Smokiem Diplodokiem – Diplodocus Dragon Travels), Krystyna Boglar, Clementine Loves Red (illustrated by Bohdan Butenko, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones, Zosia Krasodomska-Jones; Pushkin Children’s, 2017)

Latest:

– Piotr Socha, The Book of Bees (translated by Agnes Monod-Gayraud; Thames and Hudson, 2016)

– Piotr Socha, The Book of Dirt (translated by Zosia Krasodomska-Jones; Thames and Hudson, 2022)

– Aleksandra and Daniel Mizieliński, Maps (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones; Big Picture Press, 2013)

– Olga Tokarczuk, The Lost Soul (illustrated by Joanna Concejo, translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones; Seven Stories Press, 2021)

– Dorota Gellner (author)

– Marcin Minor (illustrator)

– Justyna Bednarek, Niesamowite przygody dziesięciu skarpetek (The Amazing Adventures of Ten Socks; Poradnia K, 2025)

– Gosia Herba and Mikołaj Pasiński, No. 5 Bubblegum Street (translated by Scotia Gilroy; Greystone Books 2024)

– Gosia Herba and Mikołaj Pasiński, No One Is Home (translated by Scotia Gilroy; Greystone Books, 2025)

– Gosia Herba and Mikołaj Pasiński, The Underground Adventure of the Brave Frog Rene (translated by Scotia Gilroy; Greystone Books, 2026)

– Tina Oziewicz, What Feelings Do When No One’s Looking (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones; Pushkin Press, 2022)

– Tina Oziewicz, What Feelings Like Best (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones; Pushkin Press, 2024)

– Tina Oziewicz, What Feelings Do at Night (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones; Pushkin Press, 2025)

– Paweł Pawlak, Oscar Seeks a Friend (translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones; Lantana Publishing, 2019)

Polish publishers mentioned: Nasza Księgarnia

British publishers mentioned: Emma Press, Lantana, Book Island, Pushkin Press, Nosy Crow, Usborne, Scholastic, Chicken House

Guests:

1. Karolina Jaszecka, an expert  in Polish children’s books; KaBooks

2. Scotia Gilroy, a literary translator, including of children’s books.

3. Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp, director of WorldKidLit

eurolitnetwork.com/the-polka-podcast

instytutpolski.pl

Thank you to our guests, Karolina Jaszecka, Scotia Gilroy and Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp.

THE POLKA PODCAST. Episode 4: Polish Children’s Books