Travel is my biggest obsession, after books of course. One of the reasons I love reading and books it because it allows you to go new places. It broke my heart to cancel our Spring Break and Summer vacation plans this year because of the Covid 19 pandemic.
It seems like I wasn’t alone.
When I asked for ideas for this month’s A Read A Day challenge this one was mentioned several times. Then when we voted it was overwhelmingly the top pick. So here it is – a booklist of Children’s Books that will take you all around the world.
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This list of books will work for anyone reading with young children, but it was originally created for our A Read A Day challenge for June 2020. Click –> A READ A DAY <– to learn more about this fun, free program.
Children’s Books to Travel Around the World from Home
I went with a very broad view of books you can travel around the world with because it was a little overwhelming to make this booklist. One option for this reading challenge would be simply to pick a place or two that you really want to go and read books just about that place.
For example, we love New York City and would love to be able to go back and visit our friends and family and favorite places. This list of books allows us to visit New York City on the pages.
Another option, and the one I went with for this booklist, is a summary of all of the continents around the world. A little glimpse at all kinds of different places around the world.
From there perhaps you might find one you love and with which you want to dig in deeper.
Also Read: Children’s Books, Storytimes, and Activities for Kids Stuck at Home During the Covid 19 Pandemic
Books about Asia
1. Monsoon
by Uma Krishnaswami
illustrations by Jamel Akib
This rhythmic, vivid book set in Northern India is about hot summers and praying for rain.
2. The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
by Jeanette Winter
I really love books about books and this one shows that a love of books is something held tight around the world. Set during a war, this is for a little bit older readers but it is a moving, inspiring story.
3. I Live in Tokyo
by Mari Takabayashi
One month at a time this book brings the vibrant city of Tokyo and it’s festivities, colors, foods, and city to life through the eyes of one little girl.
4. Rice is Life
by Rita Golden Gelman and Yangsook Choi
Set in Bali, this book is a poetic celebration of rice. Rice is an important staple in countries around the world and this book shares it’s story from planting to harvesting. Longer text makes this better for Kindergarten +.
Books about Europe
1. Follow Me Around Ireland
by Wiley Blevins
The lush, green beauty of Ireland is hard to capture in a picture book but this one does it’s best. The photos are beautiful and the pages give you a good idea of the different parts of Ireland.
2. Paris: A Book of Shapes
by Ashley Evanson
Last summer we were heading to Paris next week. Madeline is obviously a must if you’re reading about Paris, but this one is a fun book for littles. I love the illustrations and the play with shapes is great. If you like this book there is a series of books about places and basic concepts from Penguin.
3. All Aboard the London Bus
Written by Patricia Toht
Illustrated by Sam Usher
This is a fun collection of poems about London. It is energetic and fun to read aloud. The illustrations also give you an excellent tour of London.
4. My Granny Went to Market
by Stella Blackstone and Christopher Corr
This counting rhyme book carries you to markets around the world. It is lively and fun – great for preschoolers.
Books about Africa
1. Galimoto
by Karen Lynn Williams and Catherine Stock
Set in Malawi this is a glimpse at a child’s life in southeastern Africa. It is a little on the old side but I think it is still a book that kids will enjoy and relate to today.
2. Solar Story: How One Community Lives Alongside the World’s Biggest Solar Plant
by Allan Drummond
Such a cool story! Did you know that the largest solar plant in the world is in Morocco? A fascinating story about solar power, life in a different part of the world, and introductions to concepts like sustainability. I love the conversational tone of this story. Kids will see themselves in these children while marveling at the differences between their school day and ours.
3. Mama Panya’s Pancakes: A Village Tale from Kenya
by Mary and Rich Chamberlin
illustrated by Julia Cairns
Who doesn’t like pancakes? This is set in a Kenyan village and the lush scenery is a wonderful background for this story about sharing even when you have little.
4. One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
by Miranda Paul
illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
This is the true story of how a remarkable group of women used plastic bags littered all over their home to make something beautiful. It is an inspiring, true story set in Gambia, Africa.
5. Jafta
by Hugh Lewin
pictures by Lisa Kopper
Jafta is a darling boy who describes his feelings through the movements and actions of animals. Fans of the animal kingdom will adore this way of talking about emotions. The text is simple enough for toddlers but would also lend itself well to a discussion about similes with elementary schoolers. I love the muted palette of the illustrations and relatable topic. A fun, meaningful read aloud to share with children.
Books about North America
1. Nana in the City
by Lauren Castillo
A little boy goes to visit his Nana in New York City. He loves his Nana, but he thinks her city is too loud, busy, and scary. However, after Nana fashions him a red cape and gives him a tour of the city he comes to understand that although it might be big and loud, New York is also wonderful.
This is from my list of Children’s Books about New York City – if you’re wishing you were there, here is a HUGE list for you.
2. Goodnight Alaska
by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper
There are a lot of beautiful books set in Alaska. My kids particularly love ones about the Alaskan animals, but I’m including this one instead because this is a HUGE series of board books about places. You can get ones for all kinds of cities and they’re a good overview.
3. Going Down Home with Daddy
by Kelly Starling Lyons
illustrated by Daniel Minter
Set in the Deep South, this book richly evokes the senses and feelings of a family reunion. The chaos of cousins, the delicious food, the memories being shared. It’s all in these pages with beautiful phrases and warm details.
4. Drum Dream Girl
by Margarita Engle
illustrated by Rafael Lopez
Set in beautiful Cuba, this is the story of how one girl’s courage changed music. It is the true story of Millo Castro Zaldarriaga and how she broke the gender barrier for female drummers in Cuba.
Books about South America
1. Waiting for Biblioburro
by Monica Brown
illustrations by John Parra
A little girl who loves stories is waiting for the burro who delivers books to arrive in this darling book set in rural Columbia.
2. Up and Down the Andes
by Laurie Krebs and Aurelia Fronty
A colorful story about the people, customs and history of Peru. It is full of rhyming text and different forms of transportation.
3. The Rainforest Grew All Around
by Susan Mitchell and Connie McLennan
Set in the Amazon Rainforest and to the tune of “The Green Grass Grows All Around” this is a fun book. If your kids love books you can sing then this one is for you.
4. A Pen Pal for Max
by Gloria Rand and Ted Rand
This is about a pen pal relationship between a boy in Chile and a girl in the USA. It is a warm story filled with heart.
Also Read: How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Children’s Books
Books about Australia
1. Possum Magic
By Mem Fox
illustrated by Julie Vivas
Mem Fox is a national treasure in Australia. If you want to do an author study, she is a fun one to do and her books are often full of fun Australian creatures.
2. Are We There Yet?
by Alison Lester
Road trippers have all been there – bored kids in the backyard dying to know if you’ve arrived yet. There is plenty of relatable humor, but mostly this is a trip around Australia. It is a great overview of the country.
3. Big Rain Coming
by Katrina Germein and Bronwyn Bancroft
Gorgeous illustrations inspired by Aboriginal artwork carries you into the Australian outback in this book.
Books about the Whole World
1. At the Same Moment Around the World
by Clotilde Perrin
One moment around the world. This book is an unusual format but it works. It shows you what is happening at spots all around the world in one singular moment.
Baseball Around the World
by Chris Singleton and Dean Burrell
This is a new nonfiction book about baseball around the world. This book looks at the different countries where baseball is played. It shares when and how it arrived, a little about baseball in that country today, a map of where the teams are located, lots of photos and more. There is a lot of information gathered and well presented in this book. A great book to explore geography and different cultures with baseball fans and little leaguers. Find Online
2. Busy Busy World
by Richard Scarry
When my kids were toddlers they loved all of Richard Scarry’s books. The pages are full of a million details that are fascinating to absorb.
3. This is How We Do It
by Matt Lamothe
This is a cool nonfiction book about life around the world. It shows you one day in the lives of seven real kids, real families around the world.
4. Atlas of Adventures
by Rachel Williams
illustrated by Lucy Letherland
There is a whole series of these gorgeous books as well. They’re for a little olders and they celebrate the adventures possible all around the world.
5. World’s Strangest Places
by Lonely Planet Kids
This is part of the fascinating World’s Strangest series and boasts 40 of the world’s oddest places. From beautiful to mysterious to just plain weird, the places in this book make me want to hop on a plane and start exploring today. Gorgeous illustrations. Interesting facts.
6. Underground: Subway Systems Around the World
by Uijung Kim
This is SUCH a cool book on so many different levels. There is the around the world nature of the book which offers diversity of people and languages and trains, but also invites comparison and discussions about similarities. There is the train aspect which is obvious the focus and for a kid who loves trains there is a lot to learn about subway systems on these pages. There is a look-and-find element that is always fun in this case also encourages a discussion about the culture and food and clothing of the different countries. And then there is the numbers element on each page. The stats about the train provide opportunities for counting, reading longer numbers, comparison with the number stats on other pages – so much potential for learning.
Dumpling Day
Words by Meera Sriram
Art by Ines de Antuanano
Recipes by Laurel P. Jackson
Books that make math fun are always favorites in my house. This book combines counting, addition, cooking and world food in a bright, engaging package. Around the world there are different versions of dumplings. Readers are introduced to this huge variety while being encouraged to add and count. At the back there are recipes for all TEN dumplings for you to make and have your own dumpling day.
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