We are delighted to announce that Estonian children’s book John the Skeleton (Restless Books 2024) has won the 2025 Bachhelder Award for the most outstanding children’s book in translation . John the Skeleton is the first Estonian children’s book to receive this honour.
The Batchelder Award is given to the most outstanding children’s book originating in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States.
Originally published in Estonian in 2020 as Luukere Juhani juhtumised, the book was written by Triinu Laan, illustrated by Marja-Liisa Plats and translated by Adam Cullen. John the Skeleton accompanies Gram and Gramps to the grocery store, bathes and sleds with the grandchildren, and lives in the summer kitchen. Vignettes seamlessly present a window to Estonian culture, while saunas, pixies and linden-blossom tea lend cultural authenticity to a child-friendly and humorous text.
Mildred L. Batchelder (1901–1998) was an American librarian and advocate for children’s literature in translation. The award named after her has been presented by the American Library Association since 1968. It recognizes the most outstanding translated children’s book of the year. The award is unique in that it is given to the book’s publisher while also highly valuing the content of the work. With this prize, the American Library Association aims to encourage publishers to translate high-quality international children’s books, fostering communication and mutual understanding among the world’s nations.
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