When publisher Karen Pavlicin began receiving requests for Spanish-language children’s books from military family support centers, librarians and educators, she began looking for ways to fill that need. Pavlicin, the CEO of an independent publishing company specializing in resources for military families, had already published one children’s book in Spanish, but she wanted to offer more.

“As the population of Spanish-speaking children with a parent in the military has grown, so have the requests for children’s books in Spanish,” said Pavlicin. “We want those military kids to not only be able to read books in Spanish, but also to see their military life represented in the stories.”

This year Pavlicin’s company, Elva Resa Publishing, released several new bilingual children’s books, all with stories related to military life.

Three of the new Spanish language books make up half of Operación Aviación (Operation Aviation), a series of picture books released in both English and Spanish editions. The stories were written in English by Air Force C-17 pilot Teri Weber and translated into Spanish by Gabriella Aldeman. Artist Brenda Harris created the illustrations for both versions of all three books, aimed at readers from four to eight years old.

The first set, “Vuela con Maytai” and the English version “Fly with Mytai,” tell the story of an F-22 Raptor in training with his team. The Spanish version received a gold medal in October from the International Latino Book Awards, recognizing Aldeman’s translation work.

The second set is “El Tanquecito” and the English version “Toad the Tanker,” featuring a KC-135 Stratotanker providing fuel to other aircraft. Rounding out the series are “La misión de Alce,” and the English version, “Moose on a Mission,” introducing a C-17 Globemaster carrying cargo around the world. The books also show other types of aircraft in action and how they interact and support one another.

Pavlicin said the author, editor, translator and illustrator worked closely from the start of the project to bring the stories to life and to rhyme in both languages.

“Gabriella had a dual task of contextually retelling the story in Spanish while creating good rhyme, just as Teri did when she wrote the stories in English,” she said.

Aldeman said she enjoyed the challenge of creating the poetry for Operación Aviación.

“Translating in rhyme is a thrill, a fun puzzle,” she said. “I have to take the story and retell it in Spanish. The goal for every translation is for the Spanish-speaking readers to have the same experience as readers of the source language.”

Aldeman said she, Weber and Harris worked together, exploring options for the titles, character names and how the art speaks to different audiences.

“For example, should the title be translated literally or should we come up with another title that works better or is catchier in Spanish?” Aldeman said. “Should the name of the characters be translated? What would be the best way to translate songs, onomatopoeia, idioms? We look at the art, does it convey the same in both languages and cultures?”

Weber agreed it was a thoughtful process. “We had conversations about what needed to be direct translations and what we could take creative liberties with,” she said, “what worked best for the rhyme, what worked best for the story lines.”

Harris, who is bilingual, said speaking Spanish was helpful to her illustrating process.

“The story needed to visually make sense for both languages,” she said. “In some cases, the story text was longer or shorter in Spanish, so I wanted to make sure everything still fit in a consistent and aesthetically pleasing way.”

Harris said this project was especially meaningful to her, personally, as well as culturally.

“I grew up in a Spanish-speaking home, and I wish I’d had more books in Spanish available to me when I was a child,” she said. “I feel honored to play a part in making a series of books that I needed and would have loved as a child, and I’m so happy my own children get to enjoy them now.”

Weber said she is excited to know her stories could have an impact beyond her own linguistic capabilities.

“There are so many more families we can reach now thanks to the Spanish editions, and that is absolutely thrilling to see as an author,” she said. “As a team, we contributed our different backgrounds, expertise, and talents to the project, and we were a great balance for one another.”

Aldeman was the translator for two more Spanish-language books Elva Resa released this year. The bilingual board book, “Duck & Rabbit ABC Military Adventure/Pato y Conejo ABC aventura militar,” by Jennifer Sipos and Jennifer rose Freeland, combines both languages in one volume. “Star’s Purpose,” a picture book by Krista Betcher, is available in a separate Spanish version as “El propósito de Estrella.”

Pavlicin said these 2024 releases continue an emphasis on bilingual material at Elva Resa that began in 2021 with “¡Atrapa la estrella!” the Spanish version of Brenda Ehrmantraut’s “Night Catch.” A picture book about deployment was a natural choice for the publisher’s first Spanish translation, she said.

“A librarian told me she had been translating ‘Night Catch’ from English into Spanish in real time as she read it to kids,” said Pavlicin, “and she was so happy when we published ‘¡Atrapa la estrella!’ ”

“Going forward, we will consider a Spanish edition for all our new children’s books,” said Pavlicin. As for adult books in Spanish, she said Elva Resa is tracking requests from military units and family support directors for specific books and topics that are most needed.

“Our joy and purpose is creating quality resources for military families based on their needs,” she said. “With each new book, we are intentionally assessing the potential for a Spanish or bilingual edition. I’m grateful our team is able to support our military community in this way.”

Terri Barnes is a book lover, book editor and author of “Spouse Calls: Messages from a Military Life,” based on her long-running column in Stars and Stripes. Find her online at terribarnesauthor.com.