We love books, especially authentic stories with photos. We believe the best (virtual and hardwood) bookshelf is one filled with all kinds of books, featuring all kinds of children.
If you are looking for a way to make sure your classroom or library is culturally responsive and inclusive, you might find this checklist by publisher Lee & Low Books helpful: Lee & Low Classroom Library Questionnaire.
We are excited to share some of our favorites that are great for any classroom and pair perfectly with the three themes of our Global Friendship curriculum: Family, Community and Citizenship.
Books about families around the world
In every One Globe Kids story, students meet a friend and his/her family in their country. Each friend’s story is real and gives students an incredibly authentic look into family life around the world. For kindergarten students, our Global Friendship Curriculum focuses on world families.
By Shelley Rotner & Sheila M. Kelly – “Celebrate diversity with a picture book for very young children about the many faces of contemporary families.”
By Heather Adamson – “Large or small, close or faraway, families take many shapes all over the world. What does your family look like?”
By Barbara Kerley – “ … a charming, heartwarming book about parent and child togetherness worldwide.”
By Susan Kuklin – “Three children share the everyday positive experiences they have living with at least one parent who did not grow up in the United States.”
By The Global Fund for Children – “A glimpses into the daily life, traditions, and clothing of babies from around the world.”
To make it easier for kids to see, think and wonder, we shared the above books that are photobased. But please keep these three in mind when you look for illustrated books about families!
By Sara O’Leary and Qin Leng – “A warm and whimsical look at many types of families”
By Todd Parr – “The Family Book celebrates the love we feel for our families and all the different varieties they come in.”
By Mary Hoffman & Rosh Asquith -“This fun and fascinating treasury features all kinds of families and their lives together.”
Books about communities around the world
For 1st grade students, our Global Friendship Curriculum focuses on communities, close to home and around the world. How does where you live impact your every day life?
By DK – “Explore schools around the world through the eyes of more than 40 students.”
By Heather Adamson – “All over the world, students go to school. How are these schools the same as yours? How are they different?”
By Anne Morris & Ken Heyman – “The world is full of different houses. But all of them are made for families to live in.”
By Maya Ajmera & John D. Ivanko – “Learn what it means to be a good neighbor in communities across the globe.”
By DK – “A Life Like Mine profiles children from all over the globe leading their lives in different and fascinating ways.”
Books about young citizens around the world
The Global Friendship Curriculum for 3rd grade focuses on citizenship: what is it, how do you do it and how is it different around the world.
By Maya Ajemra & John D. Ivanko – “Celebrate the diversity and universality of childhood and the adventures of growing up around all the world.”
By Barbara Kerley – ” Exquisite, moving photographs and poetic text to convey a simple yet profound concept: we are one global family.”
By Anabel & Barnabas Kindersley- “A celebration of children around the world, based upon interviews with young people.”
By DK – “A comprehensive view of international cultures, exploring diverse backgrounds.”
By Maya Ajmera & Anna Rhesa Versola- ” Vibrant color photographs portray positive images of children that help foster a sense of global citizenship.”
More great world books …
The Global Friendship curriculum for 2nd grade covers first steps in learning about maps and mapping. In the last lesson of the 3rd grade Global Friendship curriculum, ‘Colors of the World’, students will paint a portrait to go with their citizenship letter. The books below are great extra’s to add!
By Aleksandra & Daniel Mizielinska- “This book of maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages”
By Sara Fanelli – “Children can examine their place in the world around them through detailed and engaging maps that are drawn from a child’s perspective.”
By DK – “Featuring approximately 50 unique maps of the world that show each country in full-color detail”
By Karen Katz – “A positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist’s perspective.”
By Maya Ajmera, Elise Hofer Derstine, Cynthia Pon – “Explore the way clothing makes you feel and how it tells the world who you are. ”