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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! 

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Love, Lah Lah by Nailah Blackman, Jade Orlando

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 by Phùng Nguyên Quang, Huynh Kim Liên

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 by Hazar Elbayya

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 by Seina Wedlick, Briana Mukodiri Uchendu

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 by Kyo Maclear, Gracey Zhang

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 by Meera Sriram, Sandhya Prabhat

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 by Ashley Fairbanks, Bridget George

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 by Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar

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.

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Resources

Free downloadable resources to support your Read Around the World journey and enrich your discussion, reflections, and understanding. 

Read Around the World Brochure

Read Around the World Digital Brochure

Read Around the World Passport

Read Around the World Passport

Read Around the World Poster

Read Around the World Poster

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Further Reading

Be Careful, Xiao Xin! by Alice Pung, Sher Rill Ng

Be Careful, Xiao Xin!
(China)

Alice Pung, Sher Rill Ng

Learn more

The Big Bath House by Kyo Maclear, Gracey Zhang

The Big Bath House
(Japan)

Kyo Maclear, Gracey Zhang

Learn more

Rescatando palabras (Digging for Words Spanish Edition) by Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar, Teresa Mlawer

Rescatando palabras
(Colombia)

Angela Burke Kunkel, Paola Escobar, Teresa Mlawer

Learn more

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, Sean Qualls

Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
(Ghana)

Laurie Ann Thompson, Sean Qualls

Learn more

My Grandfather's Song by Phùng Nguyên Quang, Huynh Kim Liên

My Grandfather's Song
(Vietnam)

Phùng Nguyên Quang, Huynh Kim Liên

Learn more

Mango Memories by Sita Singh, Nabi H. Ali

Mango Memories
(India)

Sita Singh, Nabi H. Ali

Learn more

Tamales For Christmas by Stephen Briseño, Sonia Sánchez

Tamales For Christmas
(Mexico)

Stephen Briseño, Sonia Sánchez

Learn more

Tamales para Navidad (Tamales for Christmas Spanish Edition) by Stephen Briseño, Sonia Sánchez, Maria Correa

Tamales para Navidad
(Mexico)

Stephen Briseño, Sonia Sánchez, Maria Correa

Learn more

Waiting for the Biblioburro/Esperando el Biblioburro by Monica Brown, John Parra, Adriana Dominguez

Waiting for the Biblioburro
Esperando el Biblioburro
(Colombia)

Monica Brown, John Parra, Adriana Dominguez

Learn more

The Bees of Notre-Dame by Meghan P. Browne, E. B. Goodale

The Bees of Notre-Dame
(France)

Meghan P. Browne, E. B. Goodale

Learn more

The Lights That Dance in the Night by Yuval Zommer

The Lights That Dance in the Night
(North Pole)

Yuval Zommer

Learn more

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Read Around the World Webinar

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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