Children’s Literature in Translation

Abstract

This chapter examines the historical role of translations in the constitution of Brazilian children’s literature. Resting on a systemic view informed by Antonio Candido and Itamar Even-Zohar, it provides a historical panorama of the translation of children’s literature in Brazil since the end of the nineteenth century to the present day. It also presents a brief analysis of the current state of translated literature for children in Brazil, looking particularly at books for small children. Translations are shown to be a fundamental aspect in the building of a literary tradition and in the emergence of a national canon of Brazilian works and authors.