Picture Books of Kids Around the World
What do kids in Costa Rica do when they lose a tooth? What’s a typical bathtime ritual in Japan? How do you say “welcome” in Spanish? These books highlight the similarities and differences among cultures in the world and are perfect for celebrating multicultural diversity.
Check out my other book lists set all around the world:
- Multicultural Retellings of Fairy Tales
- South Africa Picture Books
- Books Set in Korea
- China Picture Books
- Italy Picture Books
- 25 American Memoirs for Kids
Celebrating Multicultural Diversity Through Books
A Hundred Thousand Welcomes by Mary Lee Donovan
‘Welcome’, a word of hospitality and warmth and community and family. Across the world, people say ‘welcome’ in many different languages and show it in several different ways. This book introduces the word in 14 languages and explores what a welcome looks like across the world.
Whoever You Are by Leslie Staub
No matter where you are in the world, “joys are the same, and love is the same.” Children will love learning about things that are universal no matter what through this simple rhyming tale. This book celebrates the things that bind us together across cultures and shows readers that we aren’t so different after all.
Around the World We Go by Margaret Wise Brown
Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown takes readers on a journey around the globe in this story. Each page introduces you to a different child living in a country near or far.
Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
The story of two best friends living very far apart from each other–one in America, the other in India. Together, the two explore the unique ways they do day-to-day tasks in their part of the world, embracing their differences and celebrating their similarities along the way!
We All Sing With the Same Voice by J. Philip Miller
This book, based on a song by the same name featured in the children’s TV show Sesame Street, champions the unique diversity that different people and culture bring to our world, while also celebrating the things that bind us all together.
The Children’s Peace Book by Jolene DeLisa
Author Joline DeLisa traversed the globe, and wherever she went she asked children to explain what peace means to them. She compiled their answers into this book that beautifully proclaims hope for our future.
Children Around the World by Donata Montanari
12 children around the world discuss their schooling, family life, hobbies, clothing, and more in this global celebration of diversity.
Introduce children to the beauty of cultures, people groups, religions, and traditions around the world through this simple yet beautiful read.
Around the World in a Bathtub by Wade Bradford
This fun storybook explores a topic you might not have thought about before: evening bath time around the world. Did it ever occur to you that all the way in Turkey, a child might be arguing with his parents about taking a bath just like you do at night time? Or that in other parts of the world, bath time usually involves a bucket and a sponge?
This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids Around the World by Matt Lamothe
This book zooms in on the lives of 7 real children living in vastly different places around the world. It explores how each child experiences day to day tasks and activities, like going to school, playing at recess, and eating lunch. Readers will love comparing the ways children live in various places.
A Life Like Mine: How Children Live Around the World by DK/Unicef
44 children from 44 countries are featured in this nonfiction introduction to life around the globe! Perfect whether you are reading for a country report, comparing and contrasting, or just to increase your knowledge. Colorful photographs and chunked text make this a great read!
All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka
This book highlights the harmonies that exist between all people groups and cultures, regardless of whether or not they look the same, act the same, or speak the same language. Gorgeous illustrations and a calming rhyme will engage elementary-aged readers.
A Little Peace of Me by Madeleine Libbey
Three children, one from USA, one from Africa, and one from the Middle East cross paths for the first time during a dreamscape near a chocolate river. Together the three learn that their deepest desires and dreams are shared by all of them, regardless of their different growing up experiences.
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof by Selby R. Beeler
When you lose a tooth, what do you do? Do you put it under your pillow? Wait for the tooth fairy to leave you a few coins? This whimsical book explores traditions of tooth-losing around the world.
This is the Way We Go to School by Edith Baer
How do children all around the world get to school? If you’ve ever wondered, this is the book for you! Whether it’s by school bus, car, train, trolley, ferry boat, or plane, kids will love reading about how others arrive at school. Includes a world map.
At the Same Moment, Around the World by Clotilde Perrin
24 time zones, 24 different times. Beginning at the Greenwich meridian, this book shows what children in each time zone might be doing during the exact same slice of time.
This Child, Every Child: A Book About the World’s Children by David J. Smith
Statistics and stories of lots of different places provide an opportunity to talk to children about things that are rarely discussed in an age-appropriate way. What are the experiences of a girl in Niger? In Iran? What causes children to become soldiers in some parts of the world? These questions (and many more) are explored in this interesting book.
I Like, I Don’t Like by Anna Baccelliere
Experience the world through the eyes of several different children and their daily lives. Some children enjoy eating rice, while others spend their days in the rice paddy. Some like to play, and others are used to lots of work. This book could also open up a great discussion about privilege poverty in an age-appropriate way.
Just Like Me, Climbing a Tree by Durga Yael Bernhard
Twelve different countries, twelve different trees. This book shows the similarities between the way children play in the diverse treetops around the globe!
