Translations of books for children and young adults in Poland 1918-1939 (a research reconnaissance)

Abstract

Based on the bibliography method (mainly Bibliografia literatury dla dzieci i młodzieży 1918-1939. Literatura polska i przekłady, by B. Krassowska i A. Grefkowicz, Warszawa, 1995), the article presents the extent of foreign literature for young people translated into Polish, edited in Poland in 1918-1939. The most popular languages, literary genres, bestseller authors and titles, the intensity of publishing in periods, the biggest publishers, and the most popular series are analyzed. Besides classics, many foreign light titles were published, because of the lack of such literature in the Polish book market. They were attacked by literary critics and educators, but very widely-read in fact. The abundance and variety of foreign literature for children and young adults in 1918-1939 are emphasized. Language mosaic and author-subject diversity of these books had never been repeated after World War II, mainly due to political reasons.