Around The World in 80+ Children's Books

By Marianna Vertsman, Adult Librarian

July 22, 2014

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL)

Summer is here and with it comes the joy of getting away from it all. While we research our destinations with some assistance from guidebooks, children don't really have that option. Unless you are lucky enough to travel to a small number of selected destinations covered by the wonderful Lonely Planet Not For Parents Guides, your younger traveling companions will be deprived of any guidance. This does not have to be the case. Books on this list offer young travelers a great opportunity to explore new cultures through a colorful world of illustrated picture books . They can introduce children to the rich cultural heritage of your international destinations.

Even if your pilgrimage to a dream destination is entirely imaginary, picture books can offer kids an introduction to a wonderful world of armchair travel. If you can't take your child to another country, visiting cultural institutions and ethnic neighborhoods throughout New York City can have similar benefits. How lucky are we to reside in a city that offers unparalleled opportunities for cultural exploration? The Museum of the Chinese in America or Asia Society could be visited in conjunction with your favorite Chinatown landmark or Chinatown Ice Cream Factory. A trip to El Museo del Barrio can be combined can with a quick lunch at Cuchifritos or Cabana. New Yorkers have always been known for their special appreciation of cultural differences. Let's keep this tradition going!

Young girl looking at the camera while reading Foreign Affaris

My criterion for inclusion was rather narrow, as this list was originally compiled for a specific class of students at PS 59, Beekman Hill International. Located in close proximity to the United Nations, Beekman Hill is a perfect microcosm of a vibrant global village. In selecting books for a specific location , I attempted to cover that country's customs, folklore, traditions, cuisine, art, fashion, cultural attitudes to childhood, as well as famous historical figures. Artistic and literary merits of the book, as well as its current availability were taken into consideration. Given a wide variety of children's reading levels, as well as the indisputable appeal of picture books to readers of all ages, I would recommend this list to children from kindergarten all the way to middle school.

Many versions of the story of Cinderella (Persia, China, Egypt, Korea, South Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, Ireland, India, France and Russia) are part of this reading list. Reading several versions of this familiar fairytale can help kids identify differences in another country's way of life, while simultaneously affirming our cross-cultural bond of being human.

There is a separate list of nonfiction titles that readers may find helpful while traveling with a child. Travel, or the promise of it in the future, offers unique educational opportunities. International travel can introduce a child to the splendors of past and present civilizations. It can foster an appreciation of cultural differences and offer a newfound perspective on life at home. A better understanding of foreign relations is an added benefit of international travel.

We would love to receive book recommendations for this list from readers of all ages.

Have a nice trip! Bon Voyage! Счастливого пути ! 잘다녀오십시오! Hyvää matkaa! よい旅を Καλό ταξίδι! Góða ferð سفر خوش

Selected Children's Travel Nonfiction

Where on Earth ? The Ultimate Atlas of What's Where in the World
Maps by Aleksandra Misielinska
If the World Were a Village by David Smith
How People Live by Penelope Arlon
Children Just Like Me: Celebrations! By Barnabas and Anabel Kindersley
A Life like Mine: How Children Live around the World by DK Publishing and UNICEF
Hungry Planet: What the World Eats by Peter Menzel
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney
National Geographic Kid's Beginners World Atlas
From Mud Huts to Skyscrapers : Architecture for Children by Christine Paxmann
History Year by Year by Peter Chrisp
A City Through Time by Steve Noon

Australia

Possum Magic by Mem Fox
The Quinkins by Persy Trizese

Caribbean Islands

Caribbean Dream by Rachel Isadora
Cendrillon : A Caribbean Cinderella by Robert San Souci

China

Yeh-Shen: The Chinese Cinderella by Ai-Ling Loui
Magic Paintbrush by Julia Donaldson
Dim Sum for Everyone! By Grace Lin
Liang and the Magic Paintbrush by Demi
Grandfather Tang's Story by Anne Tompert
Lon Po Po: A Red Riding-Hood Story from China by Ed Young
Boy Dumplings by Ying Chang Compestine
Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
Chinese Children's Favorite Stories by Mingmei Yip

Czech Republic

Three Golden Keys by Peter Sis
The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain by Peter Sis

Cuba

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach by Carmen Agra Deedy

Denmark

Andersen's Fairy Tales by Lisbeth Zwerger
Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales
Ugly Duckling by Jerry Pinkney
Fat Cat: a Danish Folktale by Margaret Reed McDonald

Egypt

Book cover for The Day of Ahmed's Secret

Winged Cat by Deborah Lattimore
Mummies made in Egypt by Aliki
Who was King Tut? by Roberta Edwards
The Day of Ahmed's Secret by Florence H. Parry
Hands around the Library : protecting Egypts treasured books by Susan L. Roth and Karen Leggett Abouraya