Expand readers’ experiences, knowledge, and perspectives with international children’s books. These books from around the world promote international understandings and feature a character from another country, take place in another country, or are written by an author from another country.
International picture books celebrate diverse cultures by introducing authors and illustrators from other countries, expanding cultural knowledge and intercultural understandings, and promoting respect for diverse cultures.
These books can give readers opportunities to see and celebrate aspects of their own identities as well as opportunities to explore the lives and experiences of people and places distinctly different from what they know. Both are important!
In this post, I share my favorite 2022 USBBY “Outstanding International Books,” all of which are authored by writers with an insider perspective, meaning the authors share some identity aspect with the book’s characters, culture, and/or perspective.
Africa, Amazing Africa: Country by Country (2021) by Antinuke, illustrated by Mouni Feddag
In this beautiful (and big!) nonfiction picture book, readers will learn modern and traditional information about the geography, people, animals, history, resources, and cultural diversity of all 55 countries on the African continent (one page per country). Energetic, colorful text describes exciting things such as the richest king, the tallest sand dunes and the biggest waterfall on the planet.
The Caiman (2021) by Maria Eugenia Manrique, illustrated by Ramón París, translated by Amy Brill
Faoro is the kind clockmaker in the town of San Fernando Apure, Venezuela, who adopts a baby river caiman. The alligator, named Night, is adored by and adores Faoro. The caiman entertained visitors, played with the neighborhood children, took part in Faoro’s wedding, and, eventually, mourned his loss. This picture book is based on a true story.
Molly and the Mathematical Mysteries: Ten Interactive Adventures in Mathematical Wonderland (2021) by Eugenia Cheng, illustrated by Aleksandra Artymoska (UK)
Molly ventures into a curious world where a trail of clues presents her with a number of challenges. This is an interactive mystery (lift the flap, moving discs) that shows math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about imagination, puzzles, and problem solving. There’s also a section in the back with a few more mathematical concepts and definitions beyond the ones mentioned in the story.
Burying the Moon (2021) by Andrée Poulin, illustrated by Sonali Zohra
Written in prose, this illustrated novel features Latika, who lives in a village in rural India where there are no toilets. The women in the village wait until night to do their business in the field, where there are snakes, scorpions, and germs that make people sick. No one wants to talk about this problem until Latika speaks up. This book is perfect for upper elementary or middle school.
Peter Lee’s Notes from the Field (2021) by Angela Ahn, illustrated by Julie Kwon
Eleven-year-old Peter Lee is a Canadian-born Korean who wants to become a paleontologist and to get away from his little sister, who is a child prodigy. Peter’s story includes asthma, a paleontology dig, aging grandparents, bullies, science, and writing, and is told in short, funny journal entries.
The Star Outside My Window (2021) by Onjali Q. Raúf (UK: England)
After their mother disappears, ten-year-old Aniyah and her little brother Noah move in to foster care. With her life in disarray, Aniyah holds on to her belief that the people with the brightest hearts, like her mother, become stars. When scientists discover a new star acting strangely, Aniyah knows it’s really her mum and she embarks on an adventure that involves breaking into the Royal Observatory of London and meeting the biggest star in Hollywood. This is an honest, lovely story that addresses domestic violence and trauma in a child-friendly manner.
Too Small Tola (2020) by Atinuke, illustrated by Onyinye Iwu
Tola lives in an apartment in the busy city of Lagos, Nigeria, with her sister, Moji, who is an A+ student; her brother, Dapo, who loves soccer and cars; and Grandmommy, who is very very bossy. Tola loves math and numbers and is determined to be strong enough to carry groceries home from the market and water from the well when the water isn’t working in the apartment. Tola’s cleverness, thoughtfulness, strength, and charm come through in the text and the black and white illustrations.
Living with Viola (2021) by Rosena Fung
This graphic novel features Livy, a Chinese Canadian girl who has trouble fitting in as the new girl at her middle school, and Viola, her anxiety brought to life. Only Livy can see or hear Viola, who relentlessly judges her. This is a child-friendly, funny exploration of dealing with anxiety, whether the reader is identifying or empathizing with this issue.
More on International Books:
The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) promotes international understanding and good will through books for children and adolescents.
The U.S. section of IBBY is called the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY).
International Children’s Digital Library
USBBY International Book Lists
International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) has been celebrated every year on April 2nd since 1967. Mark your calendar now so you can celebrate!
Yokota, J. (2009). Learning through literature that offers diverse perspectives: Multicultural and international literature. In D. Wooten & B. Cullinan (Eds.), Children’s literature in the reading program: An invitation to read (3rd ed.) (pp. 66-73). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
Dr. Elizabeth Swaggerty is a Professor of Reading and Literacy Education at East Carolina University. swaggertye@ecu.edu
