RTL Today - English-language favourites: Celebrating International Children's Book Day with Librairie Alinéa

On 2 April, Luxembourg's booksellers share under-the-radar gems, old favourites, new trends and English classics for International Children's Book Day.

Librairie Alinéa is an independent bookstore located in the heart of Luxembourg City, just across from the Namur Tearoom, on Rue des Capucins. Ava Najafi, one of the store's owners, gave RTL Today her insights on recent trends for children's books, the books Alinéa wishes you knew about, and a list of Ava's own favourites and recommendations.

First of all, do you personally have an all-time favourite book from your childhood? Any language — or any age group — no restrictions, just your favourite?

My all-time favorite book was "Das doppelte Lottchen" by Erich Kästner, a well-known German author. I used to be absolutely enamored with this story and would read it at least once a week. Imagine my delight when the US movie Parent Trap, featuring Lindsay Lohan, came out, as it was heavily inspired by the same book. Essentially, it tells the tale of twin sisters who were separated and unaware of each other's existence until they unexpectedly meet at a camp.

Do you have a favourite book that you like to give as a gift for baby showers?

I'm a big fan of classics, and I think it's important for every kid, even today, to be exposed to some of the timeless stories that have been around for over fifty years. Books like "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak or "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown are must-reads, along with anything by Dr. Seuss, especially "Oh, the Places You'll Go".

Alongside these classics, there are newer gems I always like to suggest, such as "The Duck Who Didn't Like Water" by Steve Small or "Tap! Tap! Tap!" by Hervé Tullet, which is an interactive delight. And let's not forget about books for parents, like "The Daily Dad" by Ryan Holiday or "The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother" (by Heng Ou).

Do you have any recommendations for books in English that are just absolute classics, for the following age groups: infancy, toddlerhood, pre-k, young readers, and then young adults?

Infancy: "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown and "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle.

There are also these tiny board books made for babies, such as the finger puppet ones we own, or sensory books with various textures and sounds for babies to explore by touching. Many classics like "The Gruffalo" (by Julia Donaldson) also come in smaller and sturdier editions specifically designed for infants or there are cloth books that can be attached to the buggy.

For toddlers, perennial favorites include "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak, "Guess How Much I Love You" by Sam McBratney, and the works of Rachel Bright, including "The Lion Inside" and "The Koala Who Could".

Additionally, books by the dynamic duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, known for their remarkable collaborations, are consistently popular choices. These titles are staples that you can always find in stock. Of course, we also keep other books in stock to stay current with trends, such as "Bluey", "Peppa Pig", or the "Paw Patrol" books. These books are not only ideal for toddlers but also highly recommended for pre-K children.

Young readers: One of our top-selling books is "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney, and undoubtedly, the "Harry Potter" (J.K. Rowling) series remains a perennial favorite among our young readers. "Matilda" and all of Roald Dahl's other works remain among our bestselling titles for young readers as well. The "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series by Rick Riordan and "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio are always kept in stock as well.

Librairie Alinéa's children's book section is ready for little readers and their parents. / © Librairie Alinéa

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For young adult readers, these are some of the titles I like to recommend and keep in stock: "The Hunger Games" series by Suzanne Collins, "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green, "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" series by Jenny Han, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak.

"Heartstopper" is a graphic novel series by Alice Oseman that follows the evolving relationship between two boys, Charlie and Nick, as they navigate love, friendship, and self-discovery in a high school setting. There have been five books in the series so far and it's also a very popular title at Alinea.

Young adults' tastes are changing, and some might see traditional titles as too childish. Nowadays, there's a buzz around books that I think aren't quite suitable for them. Even though I advise parents against it, these books, especially those hyped on TikTok (BookTok), still attract a lot of attention from young readers, especially girls. Colleen Hoover's books are a good example of this trend.

Have you read anything 'under the radar' that you have enjoyed — and would like to see get more traction — from the children's section?

"Rain Before Rainbows" is a heartfelt picture book about a young girl and her fox companion facing dark storms and challenges. It's a story of resilience and hope, reminding readers that after the rain comes the rainbow—a symbol of brighter days ahead.

"Pink Is for Boys" by Robb Pearlman is a children's book that challenges gender stereotypes, celebrating the idea that colors are for everyone. It encourages kids to embrace their individuality and interests, regardless of societal expectations.

What themes have you noticed start to gain popularity in English?

I've been stocking up on books covering current events, even for toddlers, so parents can engage in meaningful conversations with them. We have books about topics like war, tolerance, racism, discrimination, and children growing up in different cultures. With parents becoming more socially aware, these books are in high demand and selling very well.

Do you have any recommendations for top sellers (or simply just valuable or lovely children's books) in other languages?

French: In the children's section, French graphic novels known as bande dessinée are top sellers. Titles like "Les Cahiers d'Esther" by Riad Sattouf, renowned for his bande dessinée works, are highly sought after. "Lucca", consisting solely of graphic novel-style images without text, is another popular choice. Additionally, "Monsieur et Madame", equivalent to "Mr. Men" in English, enjoy widespread popularity among French readers.

German: In the German language section, we sell many translated books from English, including works by Rachel Bright and Julia Donaldson. Additionally, in Luxembourg, children predominantly read books in German, leading to a wide selection of Sachbücher (knowledge books) covering various subjects. Wimmelbücher, which are German picture books filled with intricate illustrations of bustling scenes like cities or farms, are also among our bestsellers, offering readers the chance to explore multiple stories unfolding simultaneously.

Luxembourgish: Lots of books have been translated into Luxembourgish, and we've seen some fantastic works in the language. The 'Wëllefchen' series, written by French author Orianne Lallemand, is super cute! Each book tackles a different theme, like when a child doesn't want to brush their teeth or is scared of bedtime.

Some fantastic publishing houses like Kremart Editions, Perspektiv Editions, and Atelier Kannerbuch have been bringing out some wonderful titles. Kremart even introduced finger stamp books and an advent calendar for Christmas, a new addition to the Luxembourgish language book scene.

Martine Schoellen, who works with Editions Binsfeld, is an amazing translator. She's been turning English classics into Luxembourgish, and "Här Ästchen" was a hit last winter. I know my nephews can't get enough of that book.

Oh, and I forget to mention Isabel Marinov! She's a Luxembourgish author who mostly writes books in English. Her latest one, "Boy Underground", aimed at young readers, got nominated for the Prix Servais, which is like Luxembourg's version of the Booker Prize. I think her books are worth recommending, especially since they've been translated into Luxembourgish.

You can follow Librairie Alinéa on Facebook and Instagram, or check them out in person at 30 Rue des Capucins, 1313 Ville-Haute Luxembourg.