ABSTRACT
Children’s literature belongs to the most translated branch of literature in many countries, and the translations have, traditionally, been seen as a means of introducing young readers to other cultures. This chapter examines this assumption by asking to what degree translations for children actually transport cultural difference. It probes the factors that determine why some children’s literatures are widely traveled while others rarely transcend the borders of their own linguistic areas. It also discusses the two major forces that influence how children’s literature is translated: the consideration of the abilities of the child audience, and the cultural and ideological norms of the target culture.
