One of the reasons I love children’s books are for their ability to transport us to different places, different times, or into the lives and minds of other people. Their potential for helping us consider other perspectives is astounding.
This list was originally shared as part of our A Read A Day challenge – the details are in this intro post – but it is a great starting point for any storytime, unit, or search for books about our diverse world.
It is impossible to cover every inch of our earth in one book or one week, but we’re going to take a little trip around the world and get a taste for the variety it has to offer.
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7 Children’s Books that Take You Around the World
The Barefoot Book of Children
by Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma, David Dean
This beautiful book is about the children of the world and is a must own in my opinion. We love the bright, bold illustrations and hunting for all the little details. I have raved about this book on several occasions so I’ll spare you my gushing, but check it out!
There Was a Tree
by Rachel Isadora
Remember how I couldn’t pick a book by Rachel Isadora last week because there are just too many good ones. Here is another of our favorites. It’s one of those books that once I introduced it to my kids they chose it over and over and over again. The illustrations set in Africa are textured and warm and this take on the traditional There Was a Tree is creatively adapted.
Lin Yi’s Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale
by Brenda Williams and Benjamin Lacombe
I love learning about the history and customs of different cultures. This is a wonderful story but what I love most are the illustrations. I find them hauntingly beautiful.
All Aboard the London Bus
by Patricia Toht
I had planned to share a different book here and then I got this one in the mail to review and I was blown away. This tour of London takes you page by page to different landmarks and on each offers a poem. Had I heard that beforehand I probably would have thought the idea sounded a little nutty or boring, but it’s not. It is a bright and energetic look at one of the world’s most fascinating cities.
Over in Australia: Amazing Animals Down Under
by Marianne Berkes
There are a lot of cool and interesting things about Australia but we are fascinated by the animals. This one introduces those amazing animals from down under.
We’re Sailing to Galapagos: A Week in the Pacific
by Laurie Krebs
Barefoot Books has a series of these books and they are so much fun. This takes you on a week long tour of South America. I love the use of refrain, the textured illustrations, and the interesting information about a different part of the world.
Mice in the City: Around the World
by Ami Shin
Think Where’s Waldo going around the world but Waldo is an adorable little mouse. In fact the illustrations are teeming with completely adorable little mice. My favorite part however is that the list of things to look for on each page is on your passport at the top of the page. Simple, but such a cute little detail. A great absorbing book for kids who love to look and find….or as the cover says “hide-and-squeak.”
Author Spotlight: Alison McGhee
Someday by Alison McGhee
I love the way McGhee encourages creativity and individuality in her books. I always walk away filled with calm and confidence and I hope children do as well. This is one about the potential of a life and is a beautiful mother – child story. It would make a wonderful mother’s day or baby shower gift.
