Allowing children to explore the world around them and interact with cultures that may be different from their own is a crucial part of their development. In doing so, it encourages them to grow into well-rounded, open-minded individuals. Now, in this day and age, being able to plan a trip across the globe isn’t always an easy or realistic feat — especially with a child or two in tow. However, thanks to picture books, children can still experience the beauty of the world they live in and be transported to captivating, faraway lands without ever having to board a plane, train, or automobile.
Get ready to head out on the trip of a lifetime by picking up any one of these ten international picture books. Whether the kids in your life have been dreaming of roaming the streets of London alongside Paddington Bear or flying across starry skies with the Little Prince, we’ve got you covered. Read on to find your next TBR and start building your global children’s library today!
Finland: Moomin Book One: The Complete Tove Jansson Comic Strip Written and Illustrated by Tove Jansson
Meet the Moomins! Finnish illustrator and writer, Tove Jansson, first brought these endearing creatures to life in 1945 with the children’s novel, The Moomins and the Great Flood. In 1954, Jansson’s Moomin comic strip began appearing in The London Evening Newspaper, which led to tales of the Moomin Family and their life in Moominvalley to reach 20 million readers across 40 countries. Since then, Moomin books, comics, and their lovable characters have enchanted generations of readers across not just Jansson’s native Finland but the rest of the world.
In Moomin Book One, readers, young and old, are introduced to the Moomins, who are described as “white and roundish trolls with large snouts.” They are a tight-knit yet easygoing family who never back down from a grand adventure or journey. In this comic collection, readers will be delighted by 96 pages of the Moomins’ amusing takes on everything from guests overstaying their welcome to the allure of movie stars and high society. Complete with whimsical illustrations of sprawling meadows of flowers and rocky seashores inspired by Tove Jansson’s Finnish upbringing, one flip through Moomin Book One will make you feel as though you’ve been directly transported to Moominvalley.
Italy: The Adventures of Pinocchio Written by Carlo Collodi and Illustrated by MinaLima
PSA: Pinocchio is more than just a puppet whose nose grows when he lies. Despite being published over two centuries ago, revered Italian humorist Carlo Collodi’s Adventures of Pinocchio still captivates young readers to this very day — especially in its native Italy! This fantasy novel opens with Gepetto, a puppeteer, using a magical piece of wood to carve a marionette. The marionette immediately comes to life as a young boy named Pinocchio. With his heart set on becoming a thoroughly “real live boy,” Pinocchio’s unquenchable curiosity leads him on an arduous journey filled with chance encounters with mischievous yet memorable characters, artful animals, and mystical creatures a’plenty.
Chock full of heart, humor, and humanity, it’s no surprise that The Adventures of Pinocchio has endured the test of time. This enduring fable about what it means to be a good human comes complete with not only key life lessons, but MinaLima’s dazzling, 19th-century-inspired designs that will enchant any reader.
England: Paddington Written by Michael Bond and Illustrated by R.W. Alley
It’s no secret that Paddington Bear has been charming young readers for nearly 60 years. With his goodheartedness, earnest nature, and tendency to set out on plenty of comical misadventures, it is quite impossible not to love this wondrous bear. In Paddington, English author Michael Bond tells the story of how our beloved Paddington Bear came to be. This delightful children’s book follows Paddington as he sets sail on a journey spawning from his native Peru, all the way to England.
With only a suitcase and numerous jars of marmalade in tow, and a handwritten label reading, “Please look after this bear. Thank you,” around his collar, Paddington Bear winds up at one of London’s busiest railway stations: Paddington Station. It is there where he is discovered — and eventually adopted — by Mr. and Mrs. Brown. Complete with lovely, nostalgia-infused illustrations by R.W. Alley and English charm, Paddington is the perfect introduction to this charismatic bear. P.S.: This book is best enjoyed with a marmalade sandwich on the side.
Canada: Scaredy Squirrel Written and Illustrated by Mélanie Watt
As a Canadian, the Scaredy Squirrel books have been loved by young readers across the country for nearly two decades. In Mélanie Watt’s first book in the series, readers are immediately introduced to Scaredy Squirrel, a lovable yet neurotic critter who refuses to leave his nut tree. However, he is well-equipped with plenty of emergency kits and a detailed exit plan if he ever must leave his cozy treehouse. But what happens when Scaredy Squirrel finds himself outside of his nut tree and must adapt to life on the outside?
With Watt’s gentle yet humorous tone, Scaredy Squirrel assures her readers that while it is important to step outside of your comfort zone, developing that inner-bravery comes in baby steps — and that is more than OK! Complete with warm and playful illustrations, young readers will not only go ‘nuts’ over Scaredy Squirrel, but they’ll be clamoring for the next book in the series.
Netherlands: Miffy and the Artists Written and Illustrated by Dick Bruna
Miffy is to the Netherlands what Hello Kitty is to Japan. Created by Dutch artist and writer Dick Bruna in 1955, this gentle bunny has captured the hearts of readers for seven decades. During his lifetime, Bruna had written and featured Miffy in more than 30 of his books, making Miffy and the Artists just one of many endearing titles. In Miffy and the Artists, young readers will be led on a tour through a European art museum. Who is their tour guide? None other than Miffy herself!
Filled with Bruna’s bold, bright illustrations and artworks by legendary artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and many more, this book is a perfect introduction to the art world for children. Each page not only presents a beautiful new artwork to the reader, but features a digestible statement about each piece of art and follow-up questions that encourage young minds to form their own interpretation of the work. Miffy and the Artists will not only help instill a love of reading in a child, but also a love of all kinds of art and globally revered artists.
France: The Little Prince Written and Illustrated by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is not only one of the most beloved characters in French literature, but across the entire literary canon. In Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince, the story opens with an aviator who has crash-landed in the Sahara Desert and comes face-to-face with our titular character. The Little Prince recounts the story of how he ended up in the Sahara, describes his home planet (which is an asteroid), a peculiar but understanding rose, and his encounters with a king, a geographer, and an overtly vain man.
This best-selling, world-renowned children’s book is filled with uniquely beautiful illustrations and memorable characters that will be sure to stick in your mind. With its timeless, moving explorations of love, loss, friendship, and loneliness, The Little Prince is the perfect book for readers, young and old.
Japan: Everybody Poops Written and Illustrated by Taro Gomi
Perhaps you may recall being read this in elementary school by an eccentric teacher, or gifting it as potty training time neared the young ones in your life. Since its original release in 1977, Everyone Poops has made generations of readers laugh out loud about, well, going to the bathroom. In this go-to potty training book, curious young readers will learn that just about everyone — people, cats, dogs — poops, and that is healthy and normal.
Tokyo-based author and artist Taro Gomi’s reassuring and hilarious writing, paired with his colorful and engaging illustrations, will delight children and reassure them that there is nothing scary about going “number two.”
Nigeria: Baby Goes to the Market Written by Atinuke and Illustrated by Angela Brooksbank
In this read-aloud picture book, Nigerian-born writer Atinuke tells the story of Baby and Mama’s visit to a bustling and beautifully vibrant Nigerian marketplace. During their time at the market, Baby’s smiley and joyous demeanor charms all the vendors, who then offer him extra gifts and sweets into Mama’s basket. Everything from bright oranges to freshly baked biscuits finds its way to Baby, and Angela Brooksbank’s colorful and bold illustrations will be sure to make little tummies rumble!
With Atinuke’s lively storytelling and graphics inspired by Brooksbank’s own childhood in Nigeria, Baby Goes to the Market is both a delightful and delectable read that celebrates the beauty of Western African culture.
India: Animal Tales from India: Ten Stories from the Panchatantra Retold by Nikita Gill and Illustrated by Chaaya Prabhat
The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of animal fables that has been passed down and retold for hundreds of years. These whimsical fables have intrigued countless generations across India, and now they have been retold by esteemed poet Nikita Gill for a whole new generation of readers. In these 10 tales, young readers will be enthralled by plenty of mythical, magical talking animals, mischievous tricksters, wise sages, and moral lessons.
Paired with Chaaya Prabhat’s lushly vibrant illustrations, Gill’s refreshing retelling of these enduring Indian tales will be sure to captivate readers across the globe.
The United States of America: Where the Wild Things Are Written and Illustrated by Maurice Sendak
In Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, young readers follow Max, a mischievous young boy who has just been sent to his room for having a tantrum (we’ve all been there), as he embarks on a journey within the confines of his bedroom. He reimagines his bedroom as a wild jungle, and sails across the sea to an island inhabited by a group of monsters named Wild Things. The Wild Things name Max their king, and celebrate by having a wild rumpus together. However, when a familiar and tasty smell wafts through the air, and Max begins to miss his home, has the time for Max to return to reality arrived?
Where the Wild Things Are expertly blends a simplistic yet rhythmic tale with expressive and textured illustrations that will teach young readers the importance of conquering their boredom and mastering even the toughest of emotions.
These ten picture books may originate from different countries, and paint vastly different stories from one another, but they all share some key traits. Each of these books has just the right amount of heart, humor, wit, and wisdom — and all of those things aim to unite young readers, not divide. Pick up any one of these beautiful books, and we are certain it will widen the eyes and hearts of every reader, young and old.
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