Book List for 2021 Global Children’s Book Club: Multicultural Children’s Literature

I’m thrilled you’re ready to join in on the Global Children’s Book Club by reading some incredible and diverse multicultural children’s literature with us this year.

What Kinds of Multicultural Children’s Books Will We Read?

We’ll be reading books from 12 different countries over the course of the year. Each month/country will have one chapter book and 4 picture books (roughly one for each week). Additionally, each country will have a family learning guide with crafts, recipes, videos, and more to learn about the country in addition to the books. Feel free to participate in as much or as little as you’d like!

If you’re joining late, all the resources will remain available, so you can access and learn at any time – for FREE!

In choosing the books, I’ve heavily prioritized own voices authors whenever possible. I’ve included books that provide insight into local cultures, thought, challenges, and people.

What Ages for the Multicultural Children’s Literature Chapter Books and Picture Books

The Global Children’s Book Club is designed to be a connective and educational experience for families of all ages. The picture books are generally aimed at children ages 3-8, but older kids often love them, as well. I find that older children often still love read alouds and illustrations, even when they are strong readers themselves!

A few chapter books are aimed at slightly younger audiences (5-8), while some are geared to kids up to age 10 or 12. I recommend doing a bit of your own research to ensure the content is age-appropriate (and on par for maturity) for your children.

How does the book club work?

You can find all the details on this FREE virtual global book club for families right here! We’ll have discussions, storytimes, crafts, recipes, and much more. In the meantime, you can sign up to stay up to date by entering your email below. Be sure to follow along on Instagram for the discussions and additional updates!

Details on book discussions, storytimes, and global education opportunities

How do I keep track of my reading?

Free printable 2021 Global Children’s Book Club Reading Log

How do I join the Global Children’s Book Club?

You can pop in your email below to make sure you stay up to date on all the details! And please follow along on Instagram for updates!

Multicultural Book List for Kids: Travel The World Through Books

Here’s the 2021 multicultural children’s book list – 1 chapter book per month and 4 picture books per month (roughly one per week). I can’t wait to read and discuss them with you!

January: Philippines

Find free read alouds and purchase links here!

Philippines Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Abebooks

Philippines Picture Books

   .  

Cora Cooks Pancit: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Walmart

Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong: Available on Amazon

Pan de Sal Saves the Day: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Abebooks, Walmart

Willie Wins: Available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Abebooks, Walmart

February: US Black History

Find free read alouds and purchase links here!

Black History Month Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon (on sale for under $5!), Bookshop.org, Abebooks, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Kindle (free with a Kindle Unlimited free trial)

Available on Audible (free with an Audible Plus free trial)

Black History Month Picture Books

. . .

The Undefeated: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Abebooks

Jabari Jumps: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Abebooks

Mae Among the Stars: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Abebooks

Moses: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Abebooks

March: United Kingdom

Find free read alouds and purchase links here!

United Kingdom Chapter Book for Kids

• Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Abebooks, Thriftbooks, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Kindle (free with a Kindle Unlimited free trial)
• Available on Audible (free with an Audible Plus free trial)

United Kingdom Picture Books

. . .

Nimesh the Adventurer: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks

The Gruffalo: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks

The Tiger Who Came to Tea: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks

Lulu Loves the Library: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks

April: Chile

Chile Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Abebooks

Chile Picture Books

Ode to an Onion: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Abebooks, Thriftbooks

My Name is Gabriela: Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Abebooks, Thriftbooks

Mariana and the Merchild: A Folk Tale from Chile: Available on Amazon, Abebooks, Thriftbooks

Grim, Grunt and Grizzle-Tail: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Abebooks, Thriftbooks

May: Vietnam

Vietnam Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Vietnam Picture Books

A Different Pond: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Going Home, Coming Home: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Adrift At Sea: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

In A Village By The Sea: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Thriftbooks

June: Botswana

Botswana Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Botswana Picture Books

July: Iran

Iran Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Iran Picture Books

When I Colored in the World: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Saffron Ice Cream: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

The Secret Message: Available on Amazon, Walmart, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

The Phoenix of Persia: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

August: Somalia

Somalia Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Somalia Picture Books

Bismillah Soup: Available on Amazon, Thriftbooks

The Amazing Travels of Ibn Battuta: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

When I Get Older: The Story behind “Wavin’ Flag”: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Muktar and the Camels: Available on Amazon, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

September: Haiti

Haiti Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Haiti Picture Books

Janjak and Freda Go To The Iron Market: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Auntie Luce’s Talking Paintings: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Eight Days: A Story of Haiti: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

Calling the Water Drum: Available on Amazon, Bookshop, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, Abebooks

October: Pakistan

Pakistan Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Abebooks

Pakistan Picture Books

November: US/Canada Indigenous Peoples

Native American Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Abebooks

Native American Picture Books

December: Sweden

Sweden Chapter Book for Kids

Find it on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Abebooks

Sweden Picture Books

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST WITH DETAILS ON THE 2021 GLOBAL CHILDREN’S BOOK CLUB BOOK LIST: MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS TOO:

• Diverse Picture Books from Countries A-Z
• Picture Books About Women Leaders
• Inclusive Thanksgiving Books For Kids

YOU CAN PIN THIS MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S LITERATURE POST FOR LATER!