I compiled a list of 14 educational and colorfully illustrated children’s books to introduce your kids to world geography and culture. Let’s dive in and travel through these delightful children’s picture books to learn about the cultures, holidays, houses, meals, beds, and homes all round the world!
1. This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World by Matt Lamothe; Chronicle Books, 2017
In Japan, Kei plays Freeze Tag, while in Uganda, Daphine likes to jump rope. While the way they play may differ, the shared rhythm of their days—and this one world we all share—unites them. This genuine exchange provides a window into traditions that may be different from our own as well as mirrors reflecting our common experiences. Inspired by his own travels, Matt Lamonthe transports readers across the globe and back with this luminous and thoughtful picture book.
Perfect for kids learning about new cultures and customs; Educates children on the importance of similarities and differences; Gives kids a unique look into the lives of others across the globe.
Introduce children to the wonderful ways love is expressed in different cultures and countries across the globe. From gifting lunch boxes in Japan to adorning brides with beautiful henna designs in India, writing someone a loving poem on Sinterklaas in the Netherlands or lighting a lantern on the Chinese New Year, Love Around The World shows the ways family and friendship are celebrated around the world. This colorful, 32-page book fully explores the themes of family and friendship all around the world. With beautifully-written words by Alli Brydon and exquisite illustrations by Wazza Pink, children will be taken on a journey to a wide variety of cultures and different ways of life. From Wales to Iran to Japan, love is, after all, a universal language.
3. Adventures to School: Real-Life Journeys of Students from Around the World by ; Little Bee Books, 2018
In a brightly colored board book, perfect for the youngest child, Newbery Honoree Grace Lin tells the tale of a Chinese American family as they prepare for the Lunar New Year. Each family member lends a hand as they sweep out the dust of the old year, hang decorations, and make dumplings. Then it’s time to celebrate. There will be fireworks and lion dancers, shining lanterns, and a great, long dragon parade at the end!
4. Let’s Eat!: Mealtime Around the World by ; Beaming Books, 2019
Dig in to this fun and informational book that explores foods from 13 countries around the world. Meet characters from countries including Sweden, Peru, Pakistan, Nigeria, and more as they enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Be inspired to try something new and learn about other cultures. Let’s eat!
5. Teatime Around the World by
Let’s go on an adventure to discover new cultures and friends through tea! In this fun and lyrical picture book for ages 4-8, kids will learn how tea is enjoyed in Thailand, Japan, Russia, Egypt, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Uruguay, South Sudan, India, and more countries! Did you know that po cha, the traditional tea in Tibet, is thick and salty like soup? Or that in Iran, tea is served with a rock? (A rock candy, that is!) Or that afternoon tea was dreamed up in England by a duchess who complained of being hungry between lunch and dinner? With vivid poetry, vibrant illustrations, and unique facts about different tea cultures, Teatime Around the World tells the delightful story of a beloved beverage.
6. Pancakes to Parathas: Breakfast Around the World by ; Little Bee Books, 2019
Breakfast varies from country to country, but it’s how all children begin their day. Explore the meals of twelve countries in this playful approach to the world! From Australia to India to the USA, come travel around the world at dawn. Children everywhere are waking up to breakfast. In Japan, students eat soured soybeans called natto. In Brazil, even kids drink coffee–with lots of milk! With rhythm and rhymes and bold, graphic art, Pancakes to Parathas invites young readers to explore the world through the most important meal of the day.
7. Tofu Takes Time by Helen H. Wu, illustrated by Julie Jarema; Beaming Books, 2022
CLICK CLACK WHIRRRR . . . Lin and her grandma, NaiNai, are making tofu from scratch! When NaiNai goes through each step, from blending soybeans with water to molding curd into shape, Lin gradually becomes impatient. But she soon discovers that making tofu not only takes time, but also takes the whole universe! It takes the seed from soil and sunshine, the cloth from thread and fiber, weight and space, books of words and pictures. And most of all, it takes spending lovely time with her beloved grandmother.
In this charming tale by Helen H. Wu, readers will marvel at how patience brings a whole universe together in a simple dish made by a modern Chinese American family. Perfect for fans of Fry Bread, Drawn Together and Thank You, Omu.
8. Every Month is a New Year by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Susan Roth; Lee & Low Books; 2018
In many places around the globe, the new year starts on January 1. But not everywhere! Chinese New Year is celebrated in January or February. Iranians observe Nowruz in March. For Thai people, Songkran occurs in April. Ethiopians greet the new year at Enkutatash in September. All these diverse cultural, regional, and religious observances, and many others, have deep-rooted traditions and treasured customs. The poems by acclaimed poet Marilyn Singer and the captivating collage illustrations by Susan L. Roth’s take readers to the heart of these beloved holidays. Every month of the year, somewhere in the world people celebrate with joy and good wishes for a happy new year.
9. Let’s Celebrate! Special Days Around the World by ; Barefoot Books, 2019
Lyrical, sensory nonfiction text and vibrant illustrations invite readers to experience a child’s-eye view of 13 special days around the world, such as the Spring Festival, Inti Raymi, Eid al-Fitr, Día de Muertos and the New Yam Festival. Includes a global festival calendar and educational notes about why we celebrate.
10. Celebrations Around the World: The Fabulous Celebrations you Won’t Want to Miss by Katy Halford; DK Children; 2019
It’s time to celebrate! From Christmas and Thanksgiving, to Diwali and Halloween, kids won’t want to miss out on all the festivities. Embark on an exciting journey through the most interesting and important festivals, celebrations, and holidays enjoyed by people around the world. Stunning original illustrations and fascinating facts will inspire and inform children about cultures and religions from the countries of the world. Witness a camel marathon in a celebration of the Sahara Desert, and devour some delicious dumplings to celebrate Chinese New Year. Discover why skeletons dance at the Day of the Dead in Mexico, and get messy at Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors.
11. What Do You Celebrate?: Holidays and Festivals Around the World by ; Sterling Children, 2019
Holidays are FUN—and this entertaining nonfiction picture book introduces kids to 14 celebrations from around the world! Across the globe, every country has its special holidays. From Brazilian carnival and Chinese New Year to France’s Bastille Day and our very own Fourth of July, What Do You Celebrate? presents 14 special occasions where people dance, dress up, eat yummy foods, and enjoy other fun traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Kids can travel the globe and learn about Fastelavn, Purim, the Cherry Blossom Festival, Holi, Eid al-Fitr, Halloween, Day of the Dead, Guy Fawkes Day, the German Lantern Festival, and more. Each spread showcases a different holiday, offering background and cultural context, vocabulary words, photographs, and instructions for festive projects.
12. A Ticker Around the World by 2019
Join a young boy as he hops around the globe, visiting friends in thirteen different countries spanning all six populated continents. Along the way, he introduces us to each friend’s environment and customs, and shares interesting facts about each country’s culture, language, food, geography, wildlife, landmarks, and more. This informational picture book brings engaging nonfiction content to younger readers by showing them how other children live around the world. Playful illustrations done with make each locale feel welcoming. A Ticket Around the World will leave readers feeling like they’ve toured the globe without ever having left home.
13. If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche 2011
Step into unique homes from around the world and discover the many fascinating ways in which people live and have lived. If you lived in the mountains of southern Spain, your bedroom might be carved out of a mountain. If you lived in a village in South Africa, the outside of your house might tell the story of your family. And if you lived in a floating green house in the Netherlands, you could rotate your house to watch both the sunrise and sunset. With intricate bas-relief collages, Giles Laroche uncovers the reason why each home was constructed the way in which it was, then lets us imagine what it would be like to live in homes so different from our own. Showing the tremendous variety of dwellings worldwide: log cabins, houses on stilts, cave dwellings, boathouses, and yurts, this book addresses why each house is build the way that it is. Reasons such as blending into the landscape, confusing invaders, being able to travel with one’s home, using whatever materials are at hand are as varied as the homes themselves.
14. My Bed: Enchanting Ways to Fall Asleep Around the World by Grace; HMH Books, 2020
Delightful rhymes and charming hand-stitched art celebrate the many ways we sleep across the world. Perfect for a baby shower gift and for fans of This Is How We Do It.
My bed rocks on water
My bed sways in the breeze.
My bed’s beneath a curtain
My bed’s aloft in trees . . .
In the Netherlands, some beds rock on water. In Brazil they might sway in the breeze. From Canada to Japan, Afghanistan to Norway, sleep has taken many forms and shapes throughout history. Astonishing, hand-stitched illustrations and a delightful narrative tell the story of sleeping traditions across the world.
Kids will love to travel around the world without leaving the home!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Long Goes to Dragon School
by Helen H. Wu
Giveaway ends March 08, 2023.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
This is such an awesome list, thanks for sharing Helen! So excited to read them all!
Thank you so much Kaitlyn for your kind words! I love to share wonderful books!
Such a great list! I’ve read some and can’t wait to read others. Thank you so much, Helen!
My pleasure! I’m always into books about things around the world and happy to put together a list.:)