Books really do introduce children to so many new concepts, ideas and adventures, and today I am excited to be sharing a collection of 75 of the best picture books from around the world.
These titles have been chosen to represent a wide range of countries and cultures from all around the world – their history, customs, holidays, stories from everyday life, myths and legends, and fun stories by celebrated local authors.
75 Best Picture Books From Around the World
Each title on our Picture Books From Around the World list is linked to both Amazon and The Book Depository (these are affiliate links) where you can find reviews and age recommendations for those you are not personally familiar with.
Picture Books from Australia & New Zealand
Big Rain Coming by Katrina Germein  It’s the dry season and everyone is waiting for the rain, doing whatever they can to keep cool. Featuring amazing illustrations that include imagery from Aboriginal mythology, this is a captivating book for young readers. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Possum Magic by Mem Fox  When Grandma Poss magic makes Hush invisible they head off on a culinary tour of Australia to find the food that will make her visible once more! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester  Grace and her family travel around Australia in a campervan, exploring the places and people that make up Australia. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Wombat Stew by Marcia K. Vaughan  A dingo catches a wombat and decides to cook him up in a stew. A host of fabulous Australian animals appear to offer the dingo suggestions for improving his delicious stew, tricking him in order to save their friend! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Alphabetical Sydney by Hilary Bell  A fabulous visual tribute to one of Australia’s favourite cities, this is an alphabet book unlike any other. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
| For more books from Australia, check out our list of 50+ Best Australian Picture Books, Best Picture Books about Australian Animals and Australian Books for Babies & Toddlers. |
A Kiwi Year: Twelve Months in the Life of New Zealand’s Kids by Tania McCartney  Meet Charlie, Ruby, Oliver, Mason and Kaia – Kiwi kids representing a multicultural blend of culture and race that typifies their amazing home. They’ll take you through a year in the life of New Zealand’s kids, from celebrations, traditions and events, to everyday life. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Aotearoa: The New Zealand Story by Gavin Bishop  Over a thousand years ago, the wind, sea currents and stars brought people to the islands that became known as Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud. A wonderfully illustrated story of New Zealand’s history and future. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Wildboy: The Boy Who Walked Around New Zealand  The true story of teenage adventurer Brando Yelavich, aka ‘Wildboy’, who walked 8000km around the coastline of New Zealand to follow a dream. Available: The Book Depository |
Kia Ora New Zealand by Sohan Chunduru  Siblings Gigi and Geoff set off on an adventure to find out all about the customs and culture of New Zealand, introducing them to historical landmarks, foods, and festivals of the country. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Manu the Kiwi of Kindness by Rosie Chenault  The adorable story of a kiwi looking for his talent in preparation for the animal’s annual talent show. And Manu the Kiwi’s talent may just be the most important of all. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Picture Books from Around the World list continues below.
Picture Books from Asia
Bee-Bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park  Bee-bim bop is a traditional Korean rice dish and this is the story of shopping, making and sharing this meal with one’s family. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Where’s Halmoni? by Julie Kim  A young Korean girl and boy search for their missing grandmother, their Halmoni, and are lead into a magical world inspired by Korean folklore, complete with mischievous goblins (dokkebi), a greedy tiger, a clever rabbit, and a wily fox. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac by Christopher Corr  Learn how each of the twelve zodiac animals earned his place by taking part in the Great Race in this retelling of the ancient folktale passed down through generations. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Empty Pot by Demi  A traditional Chinese tale about the value of honesty. When it is time to choose an heir, the Emperor gives a flower seed to each child in the kingdom. Whoever can show him their best in a year’s time shall succeed him to the throne! Ping plants his seed and tends it every day. But month after month passes, and nothing grows. When spring comes, Ping must go to the Emperor with nothing but an embarrassingly empty pot! Whatever will the Emperor say? Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki  Suki is one spirited youngster and on the first day of school she decides to wear the blue kimono that reminds her of her grandmother’s visit over the summer. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
I Live in Tokyo by Mari Takabayashi  Seven-year-old Mimiko lives in Tokyo and shares a year’s worth of fun, food and festivities from her busy, bustling city. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Yayoi Kusama Covered Everything in Dots and Wasn’t Sorry by Fausto Gilberti  Contemporary Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, covers her paintings in hundreds and hundreds of dots. Her dots come off her canvases to cover dresses, tables, walls, and more! A wonderful look into the life of this astounding artist. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Baba, What Does My Name Mean? by Rifk Ebeid  When Saamidah, a young Palestinian refugee, is asked by her friends what her name means, she isn’t quite sure what to say. She turns to her Baba for answers and is taken on an adventure to her beloved homeland, celebrating the richness of her cultural heritage. Available: Amazon |
Sitti’s Secrets by Naomi Shihab Nye  Mona remembers her visit to Palestine to see her grandmother and their special time together. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Library Bus by Bahram Rahman  An inspiring glimpse into the lives of those in Afghanistan who help young girls learn to read and write, a right that was previously denied to females. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Festival of Colors by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal  Spring is here and it’s almost time for Holi, the Indian Festival of Colors. Mintoo and Chintoo are busy gathering flowers to make into colorful powders to toss during the festival. When at last the big day comes, the children gather with their friends, family for a vibrant celebration of fresh starts, friendship and forgiveness. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
P is for Poppadoms: An Indian Alphabet by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal  B is for Bandar, C for chai, T is for Tandoor and Y for yoga in this unique alphabet book for young children celebrating the rich culture, delicious foods, and fascinating animals of India. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Bilal Cooks Daal by Aisha Saeed  Bilal is excited to help his dad make his favorite food – daal! The slow-cooked lentil dish requires lots of ingredients and a whole lot of waiting. As the day goes on, the daal continues to simmer, and more and more of Bilal’s friends join Bilal, waiting to try the tasty dish. And Bilal wonders: Will his friends like it as much as he does? Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
A Bucket of Blessings by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal  A little known Indian legend. When the animals worry about the lack of rain in the jungle, Monkey remembers a tale about how Peacock’s dancing can bring rain. He finds Peacock who tells him that he needs water to make rain. Monkey manages to find a little, but his leaky bucket is almost empty when he returns. Will the remaining tiny drops be enough for Peacock to work his magic? Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
List continues below.
Picture Books from North America
The 50 States by Gabrielle Balkan  A colorful collection of illustrated infographic maps and sharing interesting facts about each state of the USA. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus  Stunning illustrations and sparse but clever word play work together to create a picture book that makes a wonderful tool to spark thoughtful discussion with older elementary and middle grade students. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
My Fourth of July by Jerry Spinelli  A young boy and his family enjoy their small town’s 4th July celebration with a picnic, parade and fireworks with their community in this festive and joyful book. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Lady Liberty’s Holiday by Jen Arena  The Statue of Liberty is ready for a change! She decides to take a vacation, setting out to see the sights of the USA. She walks across the beach, poses with the presidents at Mount Rushmore, and steps across the Florida Keys, with funny results that are sure to capture your child’s interest.Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Black is a Rainbow Color by Angela Joy  A beautiful celebration of black culture and history as a young girl shares her reasons for black being a rainbow color. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey  A fun cross country adventure, Annie Magruder and her dog, Carson, from British Columbia, are setting out to visit her sister, Elsie, in Newfoundland. They travel province by province, taking in the unique landscapes and features special to that each area of the vast country of Canada. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Stolen Words by Melanie Florence  When a Cree girl asks her grandfather about their native language, she learns that he doesn’t remember it anymore as a result of the impact of the residential school system that separated young Indigenous children from their families.. A powerful, beautiful, heartwarming story that will speak on different levels to children of all ages. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
On the Trapline by David A. Robertson  In this beautiful celebration of Indigenous culture and traditions, a young boy accompanies his grandfather to the place where his people would hunt an live off the land. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
I Love Saturdays y Domingos by Alma For Ada  A story told in English and Spanish, of Saturdays spent with Grandma and Grandpa and Sundays – los domingos – with Abuelito y Abuelita. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Erandi’s Braids by Tomie dePaola  There isn’t enough money for Erandi’s new birthday dress and a new fishing net for mama. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M Joose  Illustrated in a beautiful Alaskan setting, a child seeks her mother’s reassurance of her everlasting love. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Polar Bear Son: An Inuit Tale by Lydia Dabkovich  A lonely old woman adopts a polar bear and cares for him until he is grown. When the bear must leave the village, he continues to visit his adopted mother and bring her food. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell  Otsaliheliga is the word used by members of the Cherokee Nation to express gratitude. Beginning in the fall with the new year and ending in summer, readers are invited to follow a full Cherokee year of celebrations and experiences, community and gratitude. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Picture Books from Around the World list continues below.
Picture Books from South America
The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell  A cumulative rhyme leads children through the Amazon rainforest, with fabulous illustrations and factual information to support the story. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal  Zonia is Peruvian child who loves the rainforest she lives in and the animals that share the rainforest with her. When Zonia discovers an area of the forest that has been completely cleared she is devastated and runs to her mother for help. A beautifully illustrated tool for inviting discussion with children about the impact of humans on the natural world, and the role they can play in protecting the environment. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry  A man enters the rainforest to chop down the Great Kapok Tree, which is home to many of the rainforest animals who live there. Tired, he takes a nap, and as he sleeps the rainforest creatures, including a boy from the Yanomamo tribe, talk to him in his sleep about the importance of the tree. What will happen when he wakes? Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Along the Tapajos by Fernando Vilela  Siblings Caua and Inae live in a small community along the Tapajós River in Brazil. Their home is on stilts and everyone travels by boat, even to school! When the rainy season comes, the community must leave their village and relocate to higher ground until summer returns. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Ada’s Violin by Susan Hood  A wonderful book based on the remarkable true story of a visionary engineer and teacher who finds a way to help children escape their lives of extreme poverty through music, and the amazing, homemade instruments created from recycled elements found in the local landfill. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
From My Window by Otavio Junior  A vibrant peek inside the everyday lives of children growing up in the favelas of Rio de Janiero, Brazil. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Too Many Tamales by Gary Soto  Maria tries on her mother’s diamond ring for just a moment while making tamales and it disappears! Maria and her cousins are desperate to find it or else Christmas will be ruined. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia by Jeanette Winter  Luis loves to read but his wife complains that their house is too full of book! So Luis buys two donkeys so that he can share his love of reading with those throughout Colombia. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Galapagos Girl/Galapaguena by Marsha Diane Arnold  Presented in both English and Spanish, this brightly illustrated book introduces readers to the fascinating creatures who call the Galapagos Islands home, shared through the eyes of a young girl living there. Valentina delights in observing this fascinating part of the world but learns to also appreciate the fragility of this special natural environment. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
List continues below.
Picture Books from Europe
Poppy Takes Paris: A Little Girl’s Adventures in the City of Light  One morning, Poppy wakes up with a burning question: what light shines the brightest in a city full of them? In her hunt for an answer, Poppy takes readers on a vibrant tour all around the fabulous city of Paris. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Anatole by Eve Titus  Anatole is a French mouse. He lives in Paris and is part of a mouse gang that cycles to the city every night in the hunt for food. One night, he overhears a conversation between humans about how they despise mice and he decides to change his thieving ways. Anatole visits a cheese factory and leaving helpful comments about the quality of its cheeses. And his comments… they make the factory the best in all of France! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Bjoerk  Linnea adventures across France discovering the world that inspired Monet and the Impressionists. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Queen’s Hat by Steve Antony  A sudden gust of wind sets off a marvellous adventure through all of London for the Queen, the Queen’s men and one very special hat! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London by Kate Knapp  Ruby Red Shoes Goes to London is full of love and kindness and tenderness. In London, Ruby and her grandmother, visit family for Christmas. Their rose and violet cream-filled chocolates adventures find them accidentally meeting the Queen and her corgis, playing in the snow and skating on the ice in a heartwarming tale of joy. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Madeline in London by Ludwig Bemelmans  Madeline and the twelve little girls in two straight lines are invited to London for Pepito’s birthday. A most unusual present leads Madeline on an adventure through the streets of London. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Paolo, Emperor of Rome by Mac Barnett  Paolo the dachshund is trapped. Though he lives in Rome, a city filled with history and adventure, he is confined to a hair salon. And then, one day, Paolo escapes, free to discover the wonders of Rome on the bravest of adventures! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
This is Rome by Miroslav Sasek  Part of Sasek’s extraordinary ‘This Is’ series, This is Rome introduces children to the wonderful monuments and landmarks of this fabulous city. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Gabriella’s Song by Candace Fleming  The sweet story of a little girl’s tune, hummed as she travels through the marvellous streets and canals of Venice has the magical capacity to get the city humming, even inspiring a composer to arrange an orchestral masterpiece around it! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Katie in Scotland by James Mayhew  Katie travels with her new friend, Nessie the Loch Ness Monster, to see the fabulous sights of Scotland. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman  This original folktale sees a clever young girl, Fiona, use her wits to trick the Leprechaun King in order to return all the luck and good fortune to Ireland that he has stolen and locked away. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Maisie McGillicuddy’s Sheep Got Muddy by Kelly Grettler  Told in lovely rhyming verse and with stunning illustrations, this is the story of Maisie’s brave search through the Irish countryside for her missing sheep. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Gazpacho for Nacho by Tracey Kyle  A fun rhyming picture book about a little boy who only wants to eat gazpacho. When his mother gets fed up and drags him to the market to buy the ingredients so Nacho can learn to make it himself, his eyes are opened to all the other wonderful ingredients he sees and, with a successful gazpacho under his belt, he’s inspired to try making other dishes! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Sun Egg by Elsa Beskow  A mysterious orange egg has fallen into the woods. `It’s a sun egg!` declares the elf who finds it nestled on the forest floor, in this delightful story of imagination and discovery from world-renowned Swedish author–illustrator Elsa Beskow.Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Otto Goes North by Ulrika Kestere  Otto, a ring-tailed lemur, has spent countless days cycling north to visit his friends and paint the northern lights. When he tries to paint he discovers that his southern fur coat doesn’t keep him warm in this icy northern world. His friends, a bear and a lynx, are worried about their poor chilly friend and set about finding a way to help him stay warm. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Apple Cake by Nienke van Hichtum  An old woman wants to bake an apple cake. She has everything she needs, except apples. So she sets off to market, taking a basket of plums to trade in a classic story of sharing, trading and caring. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
D is For Dala House: A Nordic Countries Alphabet by Kathy-Jo Wargin  Located in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, the Nordic Countries/Territories are comprised of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Aland, and while they may share a region and some traditions, each has its own distinct geography, history, and heritage as explored in this sweetly illustrated and informative book. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
A Symphony of Whales by Steve Schuch  Based on the true story of a rescue of beluga whales by the people of the Chuchki Peninsula in the Senyavina Strait of Siberia. Told through the eyes of of a young girl attuned to the whales, her people lead the whales out of danger of being trapped in the ice with music. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev  The classic orchestral fairy tale by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev tells the story of a brave boy who captures a wolf. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Rechenka’s Eggs by Patriccia Polacco  A beautiful story of friendship between Babushka, known throughout all of Moskva for her beautifully painted eggs, and an injured goose that she nurses back to health. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Picture Books from Around the World list continues below.
Picture Books from Africa
Africa Is Not a Country by Mark Melnicove  A peek into the daily life of children in the many countries of the continent of Africa – the only continent with countries in all four hemispheres of the globe. A celebration of the extraordinary diversity of this vibrant continent as experienced by children at home, at school, at work, and at play. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne  Handa is taking a basket of delicious fruit to her friend, Akeyo. As Handa wonders which fruit Akeyo will like best a series of sneaky animals each steal something from Handa’s basket, which she’s carrying on her head. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Mama Panya’s Pancakes by Mary Chamberlin  Mama Panya’s son Adika invites everyone he sees to a pancake dinner. How will Mama Panya ever feed them all? A lovely story about sharing even when you have little to give. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
We All Went On Safari by Laurie Krebs  A group of friends enjoy a counting journey through Tanzania, seeing all manner of interesting animals and counting in English and Swahili. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Day of Ahmed’s Secret by Florence Parry Heide  As Ahmed goes about his day’s work making deliveries in the city of Cairo, he thinks about the secret he can’t wait to share with his family. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Beatrice’s Goat by Page McBrier  More than anything, Beatrice longs to go to school. But in her small African village only children who can afford uniforms and books can go. Beatrice knows that her family is much too poor. But then Beatrice receives a wonderful gift – a goat! Mugisa gives milk that Beatrice can sell and with Mugisa’s help, Beatrice’s dream may come true after all! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
The Water Princess by Susan Verde  Clean drinking water is scarce in Gie Gie’s small African village. She must rise early every morning and walk a long distance to the well carrying a heavy pot on her head to collect water that must then be boiled for drinking. A beautifully illustrated book to open conversation with children about simple privileges many take for granted. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Room for Everyone by Naaz Khan  In this bright and bouncy rhyming tale set in Zanzibar, a young boy discovers there is indeed room for everyone as the very crowded bus hw is on continues to take on passengers. Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
Rain School by James Rumford  A touching story about the value of learning and school life for children in Chad, where their first task each school year is building their classroom! Available: Amazon | The Book Depository |
For more like this;
• Free Celebrations Around the World Printable Calendar 2023 for a list of holidays and celebrations of countries and cultures from all over the world. Great for schools, preschools and community groups.
• Our free, printable Holidays Around the World worksheets explore a vast range of holidays from different cultures including Diwali, Hanukkah and both Chinese and Japanese New Years.
• Our free, printable Holidays Around the World Interactive Notebook or Lapbook invites students to take a closer look at six international holidays including Kwanzaa, Las Posadas and St. Lucia Day.
• Our collection of six Christmas Around the World Worksheets exploring how Christmas is celebrated in a diverse selection of countries from all across the globe.
• Our big list of Books Celebrating Christmas Around the World provides lots of insight into how the Christmas holiday is celebrated in different countries and cultures.
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
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