What does it mean to children to discover the world around them? I’m taking the view that it’s a full-body experience from bathing to world religion to the natural world. The commonality: discovering children from around the world and finding similarities. If your kids want to take this path of discovery, I’m jump-starting this by giving away two books. Please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom to win 2 books, one for each winner. Please leave a comment about your first choice.
Picture Books to Discover Your World
My First Book About the Qur’an: Teachings for Toddlers and Young Children by Sara Khan, illustrated by Ali Lodge
The Qur’an is the holy book of Islam and this board book is a great introduction to children of any age who want to learn about the Muslim faith. This is a great book to include in teaching kids about world religions. [board book, ages 1 and up]
Beautiful Rainbow World by Suzee Ramirez and Lynne Raspet
Daria: World Music for Children sings this song. Now the lyrics make up the test for this beautiful photo-illustrated book to celebrate diversity around the world through images of children at play.
Around the World in a Bathtub: Bathing All Over the Globe by Wade Bradford, illustrated by Micha Archer
Do kids around the world try to avoid bath time, only to never want to leave once they are immersed in water? It would seem so! This book on bathing is a fun way to show children how they are the same as other kids around the world while exposing them to different cultures. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
This is How We Do It: One Day in the Lives of Seven Kids from around the World by Matt Lamothe
Seven kids from Italy, Japan, Iran, India, Peru, Uganda, and Russia share their lives with their families in a peek at a day in their life including what they eat for breakfast to where they sleep. The appealing illustrations also convey a charming realism that makes you feel like you are right there with them. My only criticism is that none of the families include multi-generational or extended families which would further illustrate realistic portrayals of life in some of these countries. Instead, the families are limited to male/female parents and siblings. [nonfiction picture book, ages 5 and up]
Talking Walls: Discover Your World by Margy Burns Knight, illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien
From ancient walls to modern monuments, walls are revealed to be illuminations of culture, politics, and diversity. This book delves into who created the walls and the story they quietly communicate. The pastel drawing lends a softness to the book though I would have preferred more realistic images or even photographs. This would be a good book to use in a Social Studies class. [nonfiction picture book, ages 6 and up]
The Barefoot Book of Children by Tessa Strickland, Kate DePalma, and David Dean
Pair this book with THIS IS HOW WE DO IT to compare the everyday moments of kids around the world. It’s a good resource to converse about the lives of kids around the world and to find more similarities than differences. [nonfiction picture book, ages 5 and up]
Natural Wonders of the World by DK
This is a beautiful encyclopedic resource that you will want to have in your home if your kids like to flip through gorgeous photography to dream about traveling to faraway places or just like to learn about the natural world. As an educational bonus, your kids will learn about the continents and the plants, animals, and ecosystems within them. [nonfiction encyclopedia, ages 8 and up]
Botanicum: Welcome to the Museum curated by Katie Scott and Kathy Willis
Budding botanists will appreciate the botanical art and information about each type of plant. You might also be tempted to cut out some of the stunning illustrations and frame them. [nonfiction, ages 9 and up]
Discovering Your World 2 Book GIVEAWAY to 2 Winners!
I’m giving away these two books to two winners. Please leave a comment about your first choice and fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. I can only mail to U.S. addresses.
Natural Wonders of the World by DK
Talking Walls: Discover Your World by Margy Burns Knight, illustrated by Anne Sibley O’Brien
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BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
My first choice would be “Natural Wonders Of the World.” We just checked out National Geographic’s “Destinations Of a Lifetime,” and it’s great to learn about amazing places.
Thanks for entering John!
“What are your favorite books for kids to explore the world around us?” DK and Nat. Geo. books! I love how DK books have all sorts of cool infographics!
Thanks for entering John!
What a great assortment! I particularly am interested in Natural Wonders.
It’s a beautiful book!
I like the This is How We Do It
Me too!Thanks for entering Julie!
I like the book “Talking Walls” looks interesting.
Thanks for entering Lisa!
Definitely Talking Walks. My students would love it!
Thanks for entering Lisette!
I would love “Talking Walls”–I can imagine the wonderful conversations it would kick off. (No pun intended.)
Thanks for entering Beth!
I haven’t read ‘Botanicum’ yet, but I love Historium and Animalium!
It’s beautiful like all of the others!
I love the DK books 🙂
They are so beautiful!
The silver dolphin are awesome books!
Thanks for entering Bianca!
Talking Walls would be my first choice.
DK books are fabulous for exploring the world around us.
Thanks for entering Heidi!