We Love the Children of the World! 10 Books to Raise a Global Citizen
By Rachel Ward
We may live in the “global village,” but it can be surprisingly hard to find children’s books that are based in places other than…well, America. That’s not a bad thing, but if you’re a family who wants to expand your children’s understanding of the world beyond our borders, it helps to look for books that don’t feature only American neighborhoods, American food, American schools, American habits, etc. These 10 great picture books set all around the world show kids that not everyone lives/thinks/acts like/or eats the way we do. (And differences make the world go ‘round!)
1. Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse
Country: Canada/Greenland
Age group: Toddlers and up
As a young child begins to explore beyond her home, her mother follows her wherever she goes—and assures her that she will always be loved, no matter what. Set in the frozen reaches of the far north, this book gives tots a glimpse into the life of an Inuit family.
2. Possum Magic by Mem Fox
Country: Australia
Age group: Preschool and up
Grandma Possum turns her granddaughter Hush invisible using bush magic—but when Hush wants to be seen again, she can’t remember how to do it! All she knows is that some kind of human food will reverse the spell. The two possums set off across Australia, sampling delicacies of all kind to return Hush to her normal, visible self.
3. Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed
Country: Pakistan
Age group: Preschool and up
Lina lives in a refugee camp in Pakistan, and when a fresh batch of donated clothing arrives, she’s excited to find a sandal that fits her! The only problem is that another girl has found the sandal’s mate…and it fits her, too. This story of friendship blossoming in the midst of adversity will touch readers of all ages.
4. Ada’s Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay by Susan Hood
Country: Paraguay
Age group: Preschool and up
Ada lives in the poor village of Cateura in Paraguay, known only for its garbage dump—and while she wants to play the violin, Ada realizes that she can’t afford to buy the instrument. But when Favio Chavez, a music teacher, arrives in town, he finds a unique way to bring music not only to Ada, but to all the children of Cateura.
5. I Live in Tokyo by Mari Takabayashi
Country: Japan
Age group: Toddlers and up
Mimiko is seven years old, and she hails from Tokyo, Japan—something she’s proud of! Youngsters can follow along throughout a year of Mimiko’s life as she explains the kinds of houses people live in, the foods they eat (mmm, sushi!), and the different celebrations held year-round in Japan.
6. Gabriella’s Song by Candace Fleming
Country: Italy
Age group: Preschool and up
The streets and canals of Venice in Italy are full of music—at least, Gabriella thinks so. As she makes her way through the city, she hums along to the sounds she hears and starts a chain reaction. Gabriella’s little song winds up being heard by a composer, who turns it into a symphony!
7. Galimoto by Karen Lynn Williams
Country: Malawi
Age group: Preschool and up
Kondi, a little boy living in Malawi, wants to create a galimoto (a toy vehicle made out of wire). When he shares his vision, though, his friends say that he’ll never be able to make it because he doesn’t have enough wire. With a little determination and help from his neighbors, Kondi manages to surprise his critics and bring joy to the children in his village.
8. Sitti’s Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye
Country: Palestine
Age group: Preschool and up
When Mona visits her sitti (the Arabic word for grandmother), who lives in the West Bank of Palestine, at first she is overwhelmed by the different culture—she and Sitti don’t even speak the same language! Gradually, Mona and Sitti learn to talk without words, and Mona grows to love and respect Sitti’s wisdom and her beautiful heart.
9. Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho and Holly Meade
Country: Thailand
Age group: Toddlers and up
A Thai mother is trying to get her baby to sleep, but the local wildlife is still wide awake and making noise! This bedtime story follows her efforts to keep the animals quiet and her little one sound asleep in dreamland.
10. Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier
Country: Uganda
Age group: Preschool and up
Beatrice lives in Uganda, and dreams of being able to school. But her family is in dire straits, and can’t afford to let Beatrice go to school—until they receive a goat from an international outreach program. That one little goat changes everything for them: Beatrice and her siblings are able to attend school and buy textbooks, their parents can afford to buy food, and the family even moves into a new house!
