16 books to introduce your kids to different cultures and places around the world
Audrey Lee
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- We compiled a list of educational and colorfully illustrated titles from diverse storytellers that will help introduce young children to foreign cultures and locales near and far.
If you're a parent whose summer getaway plans were canceled or travel is generally not an option for your family, you can still to expose your young ones to the world around them — both near and far. We've compiled a list of kids' books that will allow you and your child to marvel at cultures and locations across the world right from the comfort of your home. They're packed with important life lessons, educational themes, and lively illustrations.
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a young girl from Shanghai in "The Nian Monster," or navigate modern Egypt while learning about the country's fascinating history in "We're Sailing Down the Nile." Wherever you choose to "go," these beloved and award-winning titles are sure to excite with stories that will transport you and your child to far-flung adventures.
With a mix of nostalgic reads as well as contemporary titles, this list of dynamic narratives draws from both popular classics and newer recommendations made by parents. These books are a beautiful representation of the world around us that are sure to inspire, educate, and delight your young reader.
Here are 16 children's books to introduce your kids to different cultures and places:"Strega Nona" by Tomie dePaola
Winner of the Caldecott Medal and originally published in 1975, "Strega Nona" is the beloved tale of a friendly witch living in the southern Italian town of Calabria and the over-curious local boy she hires to help her with chores. The story's combination of magic, mischief, and life lessons like the importance of listening make it a charming tale that is sure to entertain and delight. And if you love Strega Nona, read some of her other adventures like "Strega Nona Takes a Vacation" and "Strega Nona's Magic Lessons."
"Same, Same but Different" by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
"Same, Same but Different" draws on the parallels of life for an American child named Elliot and his pen pal, Kailash, a young boy growing up in India. Over their correspondence, the boys bond over the similarities they see in their lives such as their families, animals, and schooling. They notice how their lives appear fundamentally the same yet culturally different. Winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award, this culturally educational book celebrates diversity and explores the uplifting connection between friends living more than 7,000 miles apart.
"Madeline" by Ludwig Bemelmans
Whether you recognize Madeline from her television show, movie, or numerous books, the outgoing redhead is internationally known for her extroverted personality and fun antics. Though she's traveled all over the world, the original "Madeline," written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans in 1939, features iconic French landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Church of Sacré-Cœur. At the end of the book, there is a list of all the Parisian sights that appear throughout the story, which you can use to identify them as you read along.
"Sing to the Moon" by Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl
In this African children's tale, a young Ugandan boy stuck indoors wishes to travel far and wide, chasing epic adventures in extraordinary places. Expecting a dull rainy day indoors, he spends time with his grandfather, who, to his surprise, recounts nostalgic stories of his own childhood and reads aloud books about exciting adventures, great cities, and vast treasures. By the tale's end, the young protagonist realizes that sometimes the greatest adventures can be in the stories we tell one another.
"Paddington" by Michael Bond
"Paddington" follows the journey of a curious bear from Peru who travels to England and is taken in by the eccentric Brown family. The Browns dubb him "Paddington" in honor of the famous London station where they discover him, subsequently bringing him to live in their Notting Hill home. Paddington is known and beloved for his polite values and well-intentioned deeds that sometimes do more harm than good. A bronzed bear statue was even erected in the fictional character's honor in 2000, located under Platform One in Paddington station and quickly became a popular tourist destination. You can also watch Paddington in the 2014 film "Paddington" and 2017 sequel "Paddington 2."
"The Nian Monster" by Andrea Wang
Celebrate Chinese New Year in Shanghai with "The Nian Monster," a contemporary spin on a centuries old Chinese legend written by Andrea Wang. When young Xingling's grandmother leaves to the market to prepare for the family's new year's feast, the Nian monster appears to devour and destroy the entire city. However, cunning Xingling develops a plan to stall the beast day after day, eventually driving him out of the city altogether. Not only does this story creatively weave Chinese New Year food traditions into the narrative, it also incorporates illustrations of real landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower, Huxinting Teahouse, and views of the Shanghai skyline for a fun and educational read.
"Eloise at the Plaza" by Kay Thompson
The precocious Eloise lives at the famous Plaza Hotel in Manhattan, New York, pulling pranks and making mischief much to the chagrin of the hotel's management. The book's cartoonish illustrations of The Plaza creates a fun dichotomy between Eloise's whimsical hijinks and the hotel's upscale decorum, proving fun and formal can coexist. The original "Eloise" book, published in 1955, went on to spawn an entire series, including an animated show and two live-action movies. The plaza even has its own "Eloise Suite," decorated in all-pink decor and perks like an Eloise gift bag, Eloise-themed snacks, and a special tea at The Plaza's The Palm Court.
"Magic Beach" by Alison Lester
"Magic Beach" explores the importance of creativity and imagination in this story about going to the shore. Although their favorite beach may appear ordinary, for a group of friends, the sandy coast and gentle tides hold the key to fantastic imaginary adventures like discovering lost treasure, erecting grand sand castles, and taming wild aquatic life. Author Alison Lester has said that the inspiration for Magic Beach was Walkerville South, in southeast Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, whose beaches are renowned for their unique rock formations.
"Redwoods" by Jason Chin
In this entertaining and informative story, a young boy riding the train reads a book about Redwood trees and is quickly engrossed by their fascinating history. As he devours facts about Redwoods, including their environmental significance and the dangers they face, the young protagonist begins to imagine the trees as if they were following him on his daily routine. As the book points out, Redwoods face threats such as climate change, wildfires, and human-led deforestation. The majestic trees can be found in the Redwood National Park located in Northern California, which contains a string of government-protected forests, beaches, and grasslands along California's coast.
"Deep in the Sahara" by Kelly Cunnane
"Deep in the Sahara" follows Lalla, a young girl growing up in the Northwest African country Mauritania, who wants to wear a Malafa, the traditional religious veils worn by the women in her Muslim community. Throughout the book, Lalla admires the Malafa for superficial reasons, and it's not until she demonstrates her understanding of its religious significance that her mother grants her to wear one. The book does an excellent job exploring religious dress as a means of expression, while also introducing multiculturalism in an understated yet effective manner. Author Kelly Cunnane was inspired to write the book after living in Mauritania, and included a precursory glossary to help readers understand the origins of the Mauritanian people's languages and certain key words and themes that appear throughout the text.
"Hush! A Thai Lullaby" by Minfong Ho
Winner of the Caldecott Medal, "Hush! A Thai Lullaby" is a lighthearted story set in Thailand that is sure to enrich any bedtime. Before a mother can ease her baby to sleep, she must first silence the clamorous animals surrounding their home. Author Minfong Ho's creative interpretation of natural sounds as well as illustrator Holly Meade's abstract animal renderings make this whimsical tale a still beloved sleep time mainstay more than 20 years later.
"We're Sailing Down the Nile" by Laurie Krebs
Journey to the Middle East with this vibrant and informational read all about Egypt. Featuring colorful illustrations of landmarks like the Giza Pyramids, Faiyum Oasis, Aswan Market, and Cairo's skyline, this book embodies the mystique and wonder of Egypt. Included at the end of the story are even more facts about Egypt, including a small map with a guide to the landmarks and monuments found throughout the story, a historical timeline of Ancient Egypt, details about Ancient Egyptian life, and biographical information on some Egyptian deities.
"Cactus Soup" by Eric A. Kimmel
When a group of hungry soldiers pass through the Mexican town of San Miguel, the mayor's plan to hide its food supply is thwarted once the troop devise their own ploy to coax a meal from their hosts. Set in the time of the Mexican Revolution, "Cactus Soup" is a humorous fable full of lively watercolor illustrations that celebrates sharing and the great outcomes that come from collaboration. Though the story may be fictional, author Eric A. Kimmel's afternote on his choice to set the book during the Mexican Revolution educates readers on the real contributions of important figures of the time such as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata. In addition to these historical inspirations, the story incorporates Spanish words and traditional foods for an authentic, child-friendly adaptation of a classic story.
"The Story of Ferdinand" by Munro Leaf
Widely referenced in today's media and mainstream entertainment, "The Story of Ferdinand," first written in 1936, has proven to be an anecdote that stands the test of time. When shy Ferdinand is selected to participate in Madrid's popular bullfights, he shocks the stadium when he refuses to fight, instead sitting down and sniffing the flowers nearby. Illustrator Robert Lawson based many of the scenes in "Ferdinand" on actual Spanish locations, such as the Puente Nuevo (New Bridge), which is located in the town Ronda (home of Spain's oldest bullfighting ring). The book even underwent treatment to be adapted to an Oscar-winning Disney short film in 1938 and again for the big screen in 2017 with John Cena voicing the titular character.
"Hello Lighthouse" by Sophie Blackall
Another Caldecott Medal winner, "Hello Lighthouse" is a unique interpretation of lighthouses from the perspective of keepers who once worked to make sure their lights never dimmed. When researching the book, author and illustrator Sophie Blackall visited museums as well as traveled to actual lighthouses in New York, Newfoundland, and other locations, in order to make her vivacious lighthouse scenes as realistic as possible. The result is a heart-warming story of a lighthouse keeper's family and the life they build while safeguarding the coast.
"Peter in Blueberry Land" by Elsa Beskow
In this Swedish children's tale dating back to 1901, a young boy in search of berries accidentally discovers a miniature world, and subsequently embarks on a series of forest adventures with the tiny residents that befriend him. "Peter in Blueberry Land" was one of author and illustrator Elsa Beskow's first books, and it's a quintessential example of the whimsical style that the would make the Scandinavian artist widely renowned. A successful woman author/illustrator in a male-dominated industry at the time, Beskow's bright artistic style was heavily inspired by her homeland's natural landscapes and is still celebrated in contemporary work.
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