By Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp<\/p>\n
The Adventures of Odysseus: A Graphic Novel of The Odyssey<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/worldkidlit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-71.png\")
<\/figure>\n\nWritten by Nicol\u00e1s Schuff<\/p>\n
Illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson<\/p>\n
Translated from Spanish (Argentina) by Lawrence Schimel<\/p>\n
Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers<\/p>\n
Out October 2026<\/p>\n
Buy from Bookshop.org US<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nI\u2019m sure many under-15 mythology-lovers were disappointed that the new Christopher Nolan adaptation was released with a restrictive age certificate, and presumably a bit too much violence. Instead of sneaking in undercover like Odysseus and his men sneaking past the Cyclops (bound to the underside of a sheep), spend the price of the cinema ticket on this awesome, under-15s friendly graphic novel adaptation instead! You can\u2019t entirely edit out the grizzly bits \u2013 there\u2019s always going to be horror and blood no matter how you present the trials of Odysseus \u2013 but there\u2019s humour and beauty here too. And a timeless way with words, such as the emotion with which Telemachus is overcome upon realising the man before him is his long-lost father, Odysseus: \u201cFather and son embraced once more. They mourned like birds whose chicks were stolen before they learned to fly.\u201d <\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve had even half an eye on global kid lit in recent years, you\u2019ll recognise Mariana Ruiz Johnson\u2019s irresistible illustration style, and while we\u2019re fans of many of her books, this is the best yet.<\/p>\n
East Asian Folktales, Myths and Legends<\/h3>\n\n![\"East](\"https:\/\/worldkidlit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/east-asian-myths.png?w=499\")
<\/figure>\n\nWritten by Eva Wong Nava<\/p>\n
Illustrated by Jocelyn Kao<\/p>\n
Published by Scholastic, 2024<\/p>\n
Buy from Bookshop.org UK<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nSumptuously penned, these tales take us through centuries of ritual and storytelling, covering folklore and legends from China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea, and the diaspora communities that have taken these traditions around the world. Narrating the origins of the heavens and earth, from Pangu the Giant Creator and Shennong, the Divine Farmer, the tales reveal the background to well-known festivals such as Quyuan and the Dragon Boat Festival, Nian the New-Year monster, and Chang\u2019e, Houyi and mooncakes of the Mid-Autumn Festivals. Continuing with Animal Tales, Tales of the Good, Wise and Brave, and Ancient Love Stories, Wong Nava\u2019s versions are rich with comic moments, adventure and suspense, warm characters, and enjoyable dialogue. There is further historical context and notes about how different versions of the tale vary in the very readable and fascinating introductions to each chapter.<\/p>\n
Myths: Tales and Characters from Around the World<\/h3>\n\n![\"Myths\"](\"https:\/\/worldkidlit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-76.png\")
<\/figure>\n\nWritten and illustrated by Manon Bucciarelli<\/p>\n
Translated from French (France) by Josephine Murray<\/p>\n
Published by HarperCollins, 2026<\/p>\n
Buy from Bookshop.org UK<\/a>, Bookshop.org US<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFitting perfectly with our #AroundtheWorldin10 theme for World Kid Lit Month this year, the visually stunning, large-format Myths opens with a contents page in the form of a world map, inviting us to explore a globe of stories and traditions. In fact, we\u2019re introduced to 14 regions of the globe, from Inuit, Native American and Mesoamerican cultures in the Americas, via Berber, Roman, Greek and Egyptian in the Mediterranean, Bantu traditions in southern Africa, Celtic, Nordic and Slavic legends in the northern Europe, and Chinese, Hindu and Japanese myths, legends and traditions in Asia. The lack of Maori or Aboriginal traditions is a shame, but what is covered here is impressive and with a restricted palette of just red, black, pink and gold, each double page spread bursts with life and a strong visual aesthetic. At first my son and I found the layout a little confusing as the illustrations of characters and objects aren\u2019t positioned next to the associated text; but once you read more closely and go looking for the matching illustration, it becomes a more immersive read than a more traditional non-fiction text might be.<\/p>\n
About Ruth<\/h3>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/worldkidlit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/ruth-ahmedzai-kemp-headshot.jpg?w=723\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nRuth Ahmedzai Kemp is an Arabic, German and Russian teacher, and a literary translator working from these languages into English. She is a passionate advocate of diversity and representation in education and in children\u2019s publishing, and is managing director of World Kid Lit CIC, which aims to improve access to inclusive, global literature for young people. She also runs creative translation and multilingual creative writing workshops in schools together with the Stephen Spender Trust, Queens Translation Exchange, and World Kid Lit.<\/p>\n
Support World Kid Lit!<\/h3>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/worldkidlit.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wkl-kofi-logo.png?w=1024\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n
<\/figure>\nWritten by Nicol\u00e1s Schuff<\/p>\n
Illustrated by Mariana Ruiz Johnson<\/p>\n
Translated from Spanish (Argentina) by Lawrence Schimel<\/p>\n
Published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers<\/p>\n
Out October 2026<\/p>\n
Buy from Bookshop.org US<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019m sure many under-15 mythology-lovers were disappointed that the new Christopher Nolan adaptation was released with a restrictive age certificate, and presumably a bit too much violence. Instead of sneaking in undercover like Odysseus and his men sneaking past the Cyclops (bound to the underside of a sheep), spend the price of the cinema ticket on this awesome, under-15s friendly graphic novel adaptation instead! You can\u2019t entirely edit out the grizzly bits \u2013 there\u2019s always going to be horror and blood no matter how you present the trials of Odysseus \u2013 but there\u2019s humour and beauty here too. And a timeless way with words, such as the emotion with which Telemachus is overcome upon realising the man before him is his long-lost father, Odysseus: \u201cFather and son embraced once more. They mourned like birds whose chicks were stolen before they learned to fly.\u201d <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve had even half an eye on global kid lit in recent years, you\u2019ll recognise Mariana Ruiz Johnson\u2019s irresistible illustration style, and while we\u2019re fans of many of her books, this is the best yet.<\/p>\n Written by Eva Wong Nava<\/p>\n Illustrated by Jocelyn Kao<\/p>\n Published by Scholastic, 2024<\/p>\n Buy from Bookshop.org UK<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Sumptuously penned, these tales take us through centuries of ritual and storytelling, covering folklore and legends from China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea, and the diaspora communities that have taken these traditions around the world. Narrating the origins of the heavens and earth, from Pangu the Giant Creator and Shennong, the Divine Farmer, the tales reveal the background to well-known festivals such as Quyuan and the Dragon Boat Festival, Nian the New-Year monster, and Chang\u2019e, Houyi and mooncakes of the Mid-Autumn Festivals. Continuing with Animal Tales, Tales of the Good, Wise and Brave, and Ancient Love Stories, Wong Nava\u2019s versions are rich with comic moments, adventure and suspense, warm characters, and enjoyable dialogue. There is further historical context and notes about how different versions of the tale vary in the very readable and fascinating introductions to each chapter.<\/p>\n Written and illustrated by Manon Bucciarelli<\/p>\n Translated from French (France) by Josephine Murray<\/p>\n Published by HarperCollins, 2026<\/p>\n Buy from Bookshop.org UK<\/a>, Bookshop.org US<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Fitting perfectly with our #AroundtheWorldin10 theme for World Kid Lit Month this year, the visually stunning, large-format Myths opens with a contents page in the form of a world map, inviting us to explore a globe of stories and traditions. In fact, we\u2019re introduced to 14 regions of the globe, from Inuit, Native American and Mesoamerican cultures in the Americas, via Berber, Roman, Greek and Egyptian in the Mediterranean, Bantu traditions in southern Africa, Celtic, Nordic and Slavic legends in the northern Europe, and Chinese, Hindu and Japanese myths, legends and traditions in Asia. The lack of Maori or Aboriginal traditions is a shame, but what is covered here is impressive and with a restricted palette of just red, black, pink and gold, each double page spread bursts with life and a strong visual aesthetic. At first my son and I found the layout a little confusing as the illustrations of characters and objects aren\u2019t positioned next to the associated text; but once you read more closely and go looking for the matching illustration, it becomes a more immersive read than a more traditional non-fiction text might be.<\/p>\n Ruth Ahmedzai Kemp is an Arabic, German and Russian teacher, and a literary translator working from these languages into English. She is a passionate advocate of diversity and representation in education and in children\u2019s publishing, and is managing director of World Kid Lit CIC, which aims to improve access to inclusive, global literature for young people. She also runs creative translation and multilingual creative writing workshops in schools together with the Stephen Spender Trust, Queens Translation Exchange, and World Kid Lit.<\/p>\nEast Asian Folktales, Myths and Legends<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\nMyths: Tales and Characters from Around the World<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\nAbout Ruth<\/h3>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nSupport World Kid Lit!<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n
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