This booklist — inspired by the 2011 World Cup — is a collection of wonderful picture books from (or set in) the 16 countries participating in the 2011 World Cup. I selected books to appeal to kids ages six to nine who may be watching and enjoying the World Cup. I have also highlighted fourteen amazing authors worth checking out (if you do not know them already) and included links to their websites. This is a wonderfully diverse booklist with lots of gems.
AUSTRALIA
Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester. (2005 Children’s Book of the Year Award) A humorous and informative tale about a family’s three-month trip around Australia. Ages 5+
- Henry and Amy by Stephen Michael King. Ages 4+
- Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley. Ages 4+
- Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks. (2001 Children’s Book of the Year Award) Ages 8+
BRAZIL
Young Pelé: Soccer’s First Star by Lesa Cline-Ransom and James Ransome. A story about Brazilian soccer star Pelé’s early days that will fascinate young soccer stars. Ages 4+
- The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan Mitchell and Connie McLellan. Ages 4+
- Cássio’s Day: From Dawn to Dusk in a Brazilian Village by Maria de Fatima Campos. Ages 5+
CANADA
The Subway Mouse by Barbara Reid. An adventure story starring a mouse that lives in a subway station but longs to see more of the world. Ages 4+
- Stella, Star of the Sea by Marie-Louise Gay. Ages 3+
- The Loon’s Necklace by William Toye and Elizabeth Cleaver. Ages 5+
- Duncan’s Way by Ian Wallace. Ages 6+
COLOMBIA
Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia by Jeannette Winter. The true story of a Colombian man Luis Soriana who devised a novel plan for sharing his love of books with others. Ages 4+
ENGLAND
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child. (2000 Kate Greenaway Medal) An offbeat, humorous story about an older sibling Charlie convincing a younger sibling Lola to try new foods. Ages 4+
- Borka: The Adventures of a Goose with no Feathers by John Burningham. (1963 Kate Greenaway Medal) Ages 3+
- Wolves by Emily Gravett. (2005 Kate Greenaway Medal) Ages 5+
- This is London by Miroslav Sasek. Ages 6+
- War Game by Michael Foreman. Ages 8+
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Africa is Not a Country by Margy Burns Knight. A collection of vignettes about children who live in each of the 53 countries that make up Africa. Ages 6+
FRANCE
Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Björk and Lena Anderson. A charming story about a girl Linnea and her friend Mr. Bloom traveling to Paris and to Monet’s garden. A captivating introduction to Paris and to Monet’s artwork. Ages 6+
- Crictor by Tomi Ungerer. Ages 5+
- Adèle and Simon by Barbara McClintock. Ages 5+
- This is Paris by Miroslav Sasek. Ages 6+
GERMANY
Mrs. Meyer the Bird by Wolf Erlbruch. A story about an anxious woman who devotes herself to caring for an abandoned bird, with unexpected results. Ages 4+
- The Story of the Root Children by Sibylle von Olfers. Ages 4+
- Grandpa’s Angel by Jutta Bauer. Ages 7+
JAPAN
I Live in Tokyo by Mari Takabayashi. Describes the big events and celebrations that occur in a year in the life of seven-year-old Mimiko. Ages 4+
- Wabi Sabi by Mark Reibstein and Ed Young. Ages 5+
KOREA
Yunmi and Halmoni’s Trip by Sook Nyul Choi and Karen Dugan. A story about a girl and her grandmother’s trip to visit Korean friends and relatives in Korea that offers a nice introduction to Korean culture. Ages 5+
- Bee-bim Bop by Linda Sue Park and Ho Baek Lee. Ages 3+
- The Trip Back Home by Janet Wong and Bo Jia. Ages 4+
MEXICO
Elena’s Serenade by Campbell Geeslin and Ana Juan. A fanciful story about a girl who disguises herself as a boy to become a glass blower. Ages 4+
- Hill of Fire by Thomas Lewis and Joan Sandin. Ages 4+
- Diego by Jonah Winter and Jeanette Winter. Ages 5+
- The Spirit of Tio Fernando: A Day of the Dead Story by Janice Levy, Morella Fuenmayor, and Teresa Mlawer. Ages 5+
NEW ZEALAND
Beaten by a Balloon by Margaret Mahy and Jonathan Allen. An offbeat story about a boy whose parents do not permit him to play with weapons, who manages to become a hero for a day. Ages 4+
- Tahi: One Lucky Kiwi by Melanie Drewery, Ali Teo, and John O’Reilly. (2008 New Zealand Post Picture Book Award) Ages 5+
NIGERIA
Anna Hibiscus by Atinuke and Lauren Tobia. The first in a series of delightful early chapter books about a girl who lives in Nigeria. Ages 4+
- Why the Sky is Far Away: A Nigerian Folktale by Mary-Joan Gerson and Carla Golembe. Ages 5+
NORWAY
The Race of the Birkenbeiners by Lise Lunge-Larsen and Mary Azarian. A story set in medieval Norway about a group of warriors who ski a young prince to safety. Ages 5+
SWEDEN
Can You Whistle, Johanna? by Ulf Stark and Anna Höglund. A sweet story about a boy without a grandfather who adopts one from the old people’s home. Ages 5+
- Mini Mia and her Darling Uncle by Pija Lindenbaum and Elisabeth Dyssegaard. Ages 4+
- Pancakes for Findus by Sven Nordqvist. Ages 5+
UNITED STATES
Emma’s Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty by Linda Glaser and Claire Nivola. The story of poet Emma Lazarus who wrote the famous words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor; Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” Ages 6+
- Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. (1942 Caldecott Medal) Ages 3+
- Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes. Ages 4+
- Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney. Ages 5+
- Flotsam by David Wiesner. (2007 Caldecott Medal) Ages 5+
How awesome. I found this link on FB and now added you to my feed. I am also pinning this post :)
Love your site! This is an awesome list of books…I love exposing my kiddos to the world through Children’s Literature! Thanks for sharing.
Great list! We haven’t read most of these books–we’ll definitely have to check them out.
I adore Anna Hibiscus – such a sweet character and beautiful storytelling. The others are new to me – I’m looking forward to reading them, thanks!
What a great list. We live in England and my daughter loves Charlie &Lola,too. I would love it if you linked up to Book Sharing Monday (a weekly meme)on my blog.Thanks in advance.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m happy to add a link to Book Sharing Monday.