Travel around the world through the pages of fiction and nonfiction books set in countries across the globe! These books offer glimpses into different countries and cultures whose exploration will encourage discussions and reflection on readers’ own identities, communities, and cultural practices.
Below, you’ll find an extensive booklist, supplemental reading, downloadable materials, and title-specific activities to aid your journey through the countries and regions brought to colorful life through this collection of world literature.
Happy Reading Around the World!
Featured Titles
Baba's Peach Tree
(China)
Marie Tang, Seo Kim
A migrant worker and his daughter find good fortune in the form of a peach tree growing behind their house in rural China in this unique and poignant story about love, perseverance, and family.
Love, Lah Lah
(Trinidad and Tobago)
Nailah Blackman, Jade Orlando
Join Lah Lah and her papa as they dance through the streets of Trinidad and Tobago, cheer on the king and queen of the Carnival parade, and end with a grand performance onstage!
My First Day
(Vietnam)
Phùng Nguyên Quang, Huynh Kim Liên
A visually stunning story of resilience and determination featuring a young Vietnamese boy who knows his journey will be worth it when he reaches his destination—one familiar to children all over the world.
My Olive Tree
(Palestine)
Hazar Elbayya
In this simple, touching picture book about the healing power of a loving community, a girl’s grandpa and her neighbors help her grow an olive tree in a war-torn land.
The Night Market
(Nigeria)
Seina Wedlick, Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Journey with a young girl as she explores the mesmerizing wonders of a Nigerian night market, where each stall is an adventure waiting to be discovered!
Noodles on a Bicycle
(Japan)
Kyo Maclear, Gracey Zhang
A vibrant historical picture book about Tokyo's bicycle food deliverers, or demae, who balanced towering trays of steaming hot noodles on their shoulders while navigating crowded city streets.
The Spice Box
(India)
Meera Sriram, Sandhya Prabhat
A father and son share family stories through a spice box handed down from one generation to the next as they prepare to welcome family from India.
This Land
(The United States of America)
Ashley Fairbanks, Bridget George
This land is your land now, but who did it belong to before? This engaging primer about native lands invites students to trace history and explore their communities.
Digging for Words (Colombia)
Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar
Based on the true story of the “Lord of the Books,” Señor Gutiérrez, this book is a celebration of perseverance, community, and the power of books. This is also available in Spanish.
Resources
Free downloadable resources to support your Read Around the World journey and enrich your discussion, reflections, and understanding.
Read Around the World Digital Brochure
Read Around the World Passport
Read Around the World Poster
Downloadable Activities
Further Reading
Free Webinar
Join picture book creators Seina Wedlick (The Night Market), Meera Sriram (The Spice Box), Hazar Elbayya (My Olive Tree), and Gracey Zhang (Noodles on a Bicycle) for a journey around the world through the pages of fiction and nonfiction books.
Attendees will get glimpses into other cultures as the panelists engage in meaningful conversations about identity, community, and traditions.
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