Read Around the World: A Children’s Book from Every Country in the World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is in full swing in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, as the planet’s top men’s national teams battle for universal soccer supremacy. To celebrate the event through the lens of reading, we’d like to invite you to explore children’s books inspired by all 48 nations competing at this year’s tournament.
Just as soccer unites through teamwork and shared passion, these stories break down barriers and bring people together by giving readers an appreciation for rich cultures, diverse traditions, and unique perspectives from around the world. We hope you’ll enjoy taking a trip across the globe through the pages of these magical books.
Prepare for a summer of more exciting literary adventures with this year’s Summer Reading Program theme: “Read Around the World!” More details will be shared about the program soon.
ALGERIA
The Djinn’s Apple, Djamila Morani
Historical fiction meets crime fiction in The Djinn’s Apple, an award-winning YA murder mystery.
A ruthless murder. A magical herb. A mysterious manuscript.
When Nardeen’s home is stormed by angry men frantically in search of something—or someone—she is the only one who manages to escape. And after the rest of her family is left behind and murdered, Nardeen sets out on an unyielding mission to bring her family’s killers to justice, regardless of the cost…
ARGENTINA
How to Reach the Moon, Nicolás Schuff and Ana Sender
A dreamy and tender book to celebrate grandparents, nature and imagination.
In Summer, Emilio visits the woods where his grandfather lives. He knows old stories and paths that take you to surprising places.
AUSTRALIA
A Kunwinjku Counting Book, Gabriel Maralngurra
From crocodiles and echidnas to wallabies, children and adults alike will enjoy learning the Kunwinjku names for numbers and animals, as well as discovering more about these animals' habitat and behavior, and what they mean to the indigenous Bininj. More than just a counting book, this is also a beautifully illustrated work of art, a tribute to the indigenous people of Australia, and a fascinating nature guide to Northern Territory ecology.
AUSTRIA
The King and the Sea, Heinz Janisch and Wolf Erlbruch
These stunningly illustrated, ultra-short stories are seemingly simple but ultimately profound tales.
In each story, the king has an encounter which he tries to rule over. But of course the rain doesn’t stop just because a king orders it, and tired eyelids can be much stronger than a king’s will. The king sees that his power has limits; the world is diverse and much of it operates under its own rules.
BELGIUM
Stories of the Night, Kitty Crowther
A modern fairytale bedtime book set in the magical illustrated world of Astrid Lindgren Award recipient Kitty Crowther.
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
Hedgehog’s Home, Branko Ćopić
Welcome to the world of Hedgemond the Hunter, a brave and stubborn little hedgehog. Down in the wild woods he proudly tends his beloved house, but there are some animals who just can’t understand what the fuss is about! Hedgehog’s House is a story about caring for your natural habitat. Set in the unspoilt environment of the forest, we find the wild creatures arguing about what home means: is it simply a place we should take for granted, or is it something to be cherished and protected?
BRAZIL
From My Window, Otavio Junior and Vanina Starkoff
What do you see from your window? This critically-acclaimed picture book from Brazil offers a first-hand view of what children growing up in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro see everyday. A vibrant and diverse celebration of urban community living, brought to life by unique, colorful illustrations that juxtapose brick buildings with lush jungle plants.
CANADA
Boozhoo! / Hello!, Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley
Hello! Who do you see and hear in the woods today? Meet a variety of woodland and water animals in this story written in Anishinaabemowin and English.
Boozhoo! / Hello! introduces children to familiar animals as they go about their daily activities: walking, running, swimming, climbing and finally — when the day is done — sleeping!
CABO VERDE
My Heart Speaks Kriolu, Stefanie Foster Brown and Keisha Morris
On Saturday walks with her grandfather, a young girl connects with her Cabo Verdean heritage while learning about the true meaning of home in this moving debut picture book.
COLOMBIA
Nightlights, Lorena Alvarez
One day, a mysterious pale girl called Morfie appears at school and is fascinated by Sandy’s drawings in a way that no one else has been before. But there is a price to pay for this new friendship…
Nightlights is a beautiful story about fear, insecurity, and creativity, from the enchanting imagination of Lorena Alvarez.
CONGO
Kende! Kende! Kende!, Kirsten Cappy and Yaya Gentille
Lolie’s childhood in the Democratic Republic of Congo is filled with laughter and curiosity. Forced suddenly to leave their home, the family flees as fast as her pregnant Mamá can walk. Resettled in the US, the family awakes to a blizzard and the realization that Mamá, again pregnant, must go to the hospital. The family makes another journey through the unknown, relying on new words and a community of Mamás to help them kende, kende, kende.
This book is a tribute to the Central Africans who move through many languages to build community and navigate migration. The book is bilingual French/English with action words in Lingala.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Akissi: Tales of Mischief, Marguerite Abouet and Mathieu Sapin
Poor Akissi! The neighborhood cats are trying to steal her fish, her little monkey Boubou almost ends up in a frying pan, and she's nothing but a pest to her older brother Fofana. But Akissi is a true adventurer, and nothing scares her away from hilarious escapades in her modern African city.
Jump into the laugh-out-loud misadadventures of Akissi in these girls-will-be-girls comics, based on author Margeurite Abouet's childhood on the Ivory Coast.
CROATIA
Antonton, Grigor Vitez and Tomislav Torjanac
AntonTon is the acclaimed first English translation of the iconic Croatian poem by Grigor Vitez, the father of modern Croatian children’s literature, paired with award-winning illustrations.
CURAÇAO
Over and Under the Coral Reef, Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
Discover the colorful wonder of the Caribbean in this fascinating and beautiful exploration of the coral reef from the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series!
CZECHIA
Little Mouse's Encyclopedia: A Picture Book about the Wonders of Nature, Tereza Vostradovská
A beautiful narrative non-fiction picture book that invites readers to follow Little Mouse in her charmingly painted journey through the exploration of nature.
The reader follows Little Mouse as she explores, questions, and experiments her way into the worlds of insects, trees, birds, and amphibians, both on land and in water, to discover many ecological processes and phenomena. It’s the perfect book for born explorers who want to learn about the wonders of nature.
ECUADOR
Stand as Tall as the Trees: How an Amazonian Community Protected the Rain Forest, Patricia Gualinga, Laura Resau and Vanessa Jaramillo
An inspiring true story about how an activist in the Amazon worked with other Indigenous communities to protect and preserve their sacred lands and forests.
Lyrically told and beautifully illustrated, this moving story will remind readers of the importance of nature conservation, perseverance, and standing up for your community.
EGYPT
Egyptian Lullaby, Zeena M. Pliska
A rich, beautifully layered ode to the great city of Cairo, Egypt, its people, and culture.
Each night, a young girl's Auntie Fatma puts her to bed, singing a lullaby filled with rich imagery of her home in Egypt. As Auntie Fatma sings, we are given a glimpse of modern Cairo, from boats making their way down the Nile to gentle calls to prayer from the mosques to young children joyfully playing soccer in the streets.
ENGLAND
The Thames and Tide Club: The Secret City, Katya Balen
Clem and her friends Ash and Zara are members of the Thames and Tide Club! Every weekend they go mudlarking by the river, searching for treasures that have washed up on the shore. Clem has found old things, new things and a whole heap of rubbish. But one day, she finds something really special. Something magical that belongs in the river and must be returned to its rightful owner … or else.
Before they know it, the Thames and Tide Club are on the weirdest, wildest, underwater-iest adventure they could possibly have imagined on a mission to save Underwater London!
FRANCE
Kai’s Ocean of Curiosities, Josephine Topolanski
Curious young readers will delight in this whimsical and exquisitely illustrated ocean adventure led by deep-sea diver Kai in her yellow submarine!
GERMANY
Ludwig and the Rhinoceros, Noemi Schneider, Doris Freigofas and Daniel Dolz
Does something exist even if you can’t see it? A humorous bedtime story for budding philosophers.
“There's a rhinoceros in my room!” Ludwig claims. His father doesn't think so. He looks for the huge pachyderm in every corner, but he just can't find it. There CANNOT be a rhinoceros in Ludwig's room. It's way too small for a rhinoceros. But Ludwig shows his father that something can be there, even if you can't see it.
GHANA
Flying Through Water, Mamle Wolo
Sena treasures his life in rural Ghana—playing soccer, working the family farm, striving to do his best at school—but he is increasingly aware of his family’s precarious security in the face of poverty. When an alluring gentleman comes to town to befriend local teenagers, offering promises of a better future, it only takes one more unsettling turn of events to send Sena into the clutches of human traffickers. Sena’s ordeal, escape, and remarkable survival makes for a page-turning adventure of self-discovery and empowerment.
HAITI
Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings, Francie Latour and Ken Daley
A Haitian American girl finds connection to generations of family lore in this story of identity, heart and home.
IRAN
Amu Nowruz and His Violets, Hadi Mohammadi and Nooshin Safakhoo
An enchanting story of the Persian New Year and moment when winter turns to spring, based on the Iranian folktale of Naneh Sarma and Amu Nowruz.
IRAQ
Banana Dream, Hasan Namir and Daby Zainab Faidhi
A young boy in Iraq yearns to taste the bananas that have been made unavailable by warfare.
Growing up in Iraq after the Gulf War, Mooz didn’t always like his name, which means “banana”. But when he learns the story behind it, he’s proud, even when being teased by his classmates. Now all he yearns for is to taste a banana—a lofty dream in a time when few countries are trading with Iraq, where bananas don’t grow.
JORDAN
Watermelon Madness, Taghreed Najjar and Maya Fidawi
Noura is absolutely crazy about watermelon. She wants to eat it all day, every day. In her mind, there’s no such thing as too much of her favorite fruit. But when a hidden watermelon in her room starts to grow out of control, Noura is swept into a wild and imaginative adventure.
JAPAN
Chirri and Chirra, Kaya Doi
The first book in a completely charming series by a well-known Japanese author and illustrator, Chirri & Chirra introduces us to two little girls who go on wonderful adventures together through the natural world. Vibrant, lively, and astonishingly sweet in a pure, unsentimental way, these pages present us with relatable children, small animals, lots of food, atmosphere, and many mysteries.
KOREA
Moon Pops, Heena Baek
A witty, weird, and wonderful spin on a classic Korean folktale, the first picture book to be published in English by internationally acclaimed Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner Heena Baek
One sweltering summer night, while the many residents of one apartment building are struggling to fall asleep, the moon begins to melt. Granny hears it dripping and runs out to catch the moon drops in a bucket. At first unsure what do with the drops, she is soon inspired to turn them into popsicles—moon pops!—to help cool down her neighbors.
MEXICO
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, Flavia Z. Drago
This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season — or anytime.
Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves?
MOROCCO
Alya and the Three Cats, Amina Hachimi Alaoui and Maya Fidawi
What’s it like when a new baby arrives? Ask the cats!
Maryam and Sami’s three cats—Pasha, Minouche, and Amir—notice something is changing at home. When Maryam comes back with a noisy new baby, the cats are confused and curious. This gentle tale helps young children understand the arrival of a new sibling, easing worries and building empathy.
NETHERLANDS
Mishka, Anoush Elman and Edward van de Vendel
Winner of the National Book Award for Children's Literature in the Netherlands!
A tender, lyrical story of an Afghani girl finding a new home, new friends, and refuge—with the help of a very special bunny.
NEW ZEALAND
Charlie Tangaroa and the Creature from the Sea, T K Roxborogh
On a beach clean-up, thirteen-year-old one-legged Charlie and his half-brother, Robbie, find a ponaturi—a mermaid —washed up on a beach. An ancient grudge between the Māori gods Tāne and Tangaroa has flared up because a port being built in the bay is degrading the ocean and creatures are fleeing the sea. This has reignited anger between the gods, which breaks out in storms, earthquakes and huge seas. The human world and realm of the gods are thrown into chaos.
NORWAY
Astrid the Unstoppable, Maria Parr
Pippi Longstocking meets Heidi meets Anne Shirley in this tale of an irrepressible girl in a mountain village who navigates unexpected changes with warmth and humor.
PANAMA
Danilo Was Here, Tamika Burgess
From the acclaimed author of Sincerely Sicily, Tamika Burgess, comes a timely coming-of-age story about a young boy’s fight to save his family and his dreams in the aftermath of the US military invasion of Panamá.
PARAGUAY
Ada's Violin: The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, Susan Hood and Sally W. Comport
Ada Ríos grew up in Cateura, a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. She dreamed of playing the violin, but with little money for anything but the bare essentials, it was never an option...until a music teacher named Favio Chávez arrived. He wanted to give the children of Cateura something special, so he made them instruments out of materials found in the trash. It was a crazy idea, but one that would leave Ada—and her town—forever changed. Now, the Recycled Orchestra plays venues around the world, spreading their message of hope and innovation.
PORTUGAL
My Dear Sea, André Carrilho
Come on a family beach trip with a girl and her family as she swims in the waves, builds sandcastles, learns to keep the ocean clear of trash—and develops a bond with the sea.
Rhyming lines reveal important lessons all beachgoers should know about the ocean’s importance and its conservation, making for a perfect classroom read-aloud and beach-lover’s reading gift.
QATAR
The Path Towards the Island, Shaikha Al Zeyarra and Charlene Kasdorf
Youssef and Moza are exploring the desert, trying to find a way to a secret island. But Youssef runs into trouble, and the animals of the Qatari desert must band together to try to save him. This whimsically illustrated children’s book features the incredible array of Qatar’s native animals.
SAUDI ARABIA
Zamzam for Everyone: Sharing Water at Hajj, Razeena Omar Gutta and Bassent Dawoud
Mariam is one of millions of people from all over the world who has come to Makkah for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj, and she overflows with excitement and awe. Mama tells her, "Hajj is a time to do good, share, and be thankful." But what good can Mariam do? That's it! She'll share Zamzam, blessed water from an ancient well, with everyone she meets.
As Mariam shares her Zamzam throughout Hajj, she meets friends from all over the world. From fellow pilgrims, she learns new ways to say thank you, tries new foods and drinks, and discovers that when you share with and help others, someone will help you when you need it too.
SCOTLAND
A Kind of Spark, Elle McNicoll
Ever since Ms. Murphy told us about the witch trials that happened centuries ago right here in Juniper, I can’t stop thinking about them. Those people weren’t magic. They were like me.
I’m autistic. I see things that others do not. I hear sounds that they can ignore. And sometimes I feel things all at once. I think about the witches, with no one to speak for them. I won’t let the witches be forgotten. Because there is more to their story. Just like there is more to mine.
Award-winning and neurodivergent author Elle McNicoll delivers an insightful and stirring debut about the European witch trials and a girl who refuses to relent in the fight for what she knows is right.
SENEGAL
Tacko Fall: To New Heights, Tacko Fall, Justin Haynes and Reggie Brown
The inspiring true story of basketball phenom Tacko Fall—and his journey from West Africa to the NBA—will inspire young people to dream and do.
SOUTH AFRICA
A Friend for All Seasons, Refiloe Moahloli and Nicci Martin
A new family has moved in next door. Vuyo can see them from his bedroom window. The mom is dancing, the dad is laughing, the dog keeps wagging its tail … Why does the little girl look sad?
A lyrical book about friendship and kindness that encourages young children to accept and support others.
SPAIN
The Amazing and True Story of Tooth Mouse Perez, Ana Cristina
Long ago, throughout the Spanish-speaking world, the tooth mouse brought children their permanent teeth, strong and straight as a mouse's. Tracing the tooth mouse's beginnings through to his descendants, this book artfully weaves the tooth mouse's changing habits as the world industrializes, with the growing independence of the child, as teeth fall out and the child learns to care for itself.
SWEDEN
The Cat Way, Sara Lundberg
An unconventional story about navigating differences and learning to be present.
When a cat and her human go for walks, the human always decides where they go and what they do. “But what if it were the other way around?” the cat asks one day. So the next time, the human follows the cat. When the cat is in control, she wants to stop more often, and she wants to chase squirrels and climb up trees. Her human finds all these detours ridiculous. But when you walk at a cat’s pace, you can see the most amazing things.
SWITZERLAND
Pitschi, Hans Fischer
Of old Lisette's five kittens, Pitschi is the smallest and most delicate. Pitschi is different from his siblings; he runs away and wants to be a rooster, then a goat, a duck, a rabbit – until finally he is terrified in the dark rabbit hutch when the owl and the fox come menacingly close.
Luckily, old Lisette finds the kitten and takes it home. The next day, Pitschi is sick – but not for long, because everyone spoils and cares for the kitten, and soon he's able to celebrate with the other animals. Pitschi realizes that being a kitten really is the best thing ever.
TUNISIA
My Hands, Néjib
A wonderous exploration of all the amazing things we can do with our hands – perfectly pitched for the youngest of readers.
TURKIYE
A Friend in Winter, Feridun Oral
Leo is one bored housecat. Aside from his owner Walter, he hasn’t got anyone in the world to play with. How he wishes he had a new friend. One day he meets a squirrel, and the two of them have fun clambering through the trees. Each day Squirrel stops by on his errands, but when winter sets in, Squirrel doesn’t come by anymore. Lonely Leo sets out on a search for him, but a snowstorm is blowing in on Christmas Eve. Can Leo find his friend—or his way home— before he freezes out in the cold? A touching story of friendship, illustrated with loving care by the internationally renowned illustrator Feridun Oral.
URUGUAY
Sword of Fire, Federico Ivanier
When ordinary, lonely Martina Valiente discovers a mysterious golden box in a forgotten room at her grandmother’s house, she is drawn into the fantastical world of Novrogod – where magic thrives and the balance between Wizardry and Darkness must be carefully maintained.
But now, Novrogod is threatened by Voraz, a wizard of Darkness, and Martina learns that she is ‘The Sent One’ - a guardian of Novrogod that is destined to return to the land when it needs them the most.
Along with her stepbrother Matias, Martina sets out to collect the magical items that will aid them in restoring peace and balance to Novrogod. But can she defeat Voraz once before dark magic consumes this new world?
USA
New Kid, Jerry Craft
A timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low and the struggle to fit in is real, from award-winning author-illustrator Jerry Craft.
UZBEKISTAN
The Story of Babur: Prince, Emperor, Sage, Anuradha
Anuradha’s lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama will introduce this classic of world literature to a new generation of young readers