Regeneration is broadly defined as the repair or regrowth of cells, tissues, organs, and organisms [1]. A salient feature of regeneration is the reconstitution of organs or body parts after injury [1]. Vertebrates widely diverge in their tissue regenerative capacities [1]. Cardiac injury exemplifies how adult mammals display limited regenerative capacity, whereas zebrafish and neonatal mice demonstrate excellent capacity [2]. However, the mechanisms underlying these differences are poorly understood. Dedifferentiation, transdifferentiation, proliferation of somatic cells, the differentiation of tissue-specific stem cells, and the immune system all contribute to disparities in regeneration among tissues and organisms [1]. Major advances have been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms of regeneration, most notably those involving signaling pathways and transcriptional regulators. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding how mRNA translation regulates regeneration.