A curated selection of children’s and young adult books from around the world, recommended by embassies and cultural institutions. These titles span a range of ages and offer accessible entry points into global cultures, histories, and storytelling traditions.
Embassy of Croatia
Night at the Museum
A playful, imaginative story that brings museum spaces to life through a child’s perspective, blending curiosity with cultural discovery. The narrative introduces young readers to history and art in an engaging, accessible way.
Best for: younger readers and early independent reading
Standout: creative use of museum setting to spark curiosity
Embassy of Jordan
The Sandwich Swap
A picture book about two friends whose different lunches—peanut butter and jelly and hummus—lead to conflict before ultimately bringing them back together. The story introduces young readers to cultural difference and everyday experiences of misunderstanding and reconciliation.
Best for: younger readers and classroom use
Standout: simple narrative centered on cultural difference
Diplomatica Editor’s Choice (Ireland)
Dinosaur Pie
A warm, humorous novel that follows a boy navigating grief, friendship, and growing up, told with a light touch that balances emotional depth and everyday life. The story captures how children process difficult experiences without losing a sense of humor or curiosity.
Best for: middle-grade readers
Standout: balances humor with emotional depth
Embassy of Sweden
When Findus was Little and Disappeared
A picture book in which an elderly farmer recounts how his cat, Findus, first came to live with him, tracing a small but meaningful story of loss and reunion. Set in a rural Swedish farmhouse, the narrative blends everyday life with subtle imaginative elements, supported by detailed, playful illustrations.
Best for: younger readers and early independent reading
Standout: richly detailed illustrations paired with a gentle, character-driven story
Embassy of Malta
The Memory Cake
A picture book set in Malta in which a grandmother and granddaughter bake together while reflecting on the grandmother’s childhood during World War II, including the bombing of the island and life in underground shelters. The story connects family memory with a lesser-known chapter of wartime history through everyday rituals and storytelling.
Best for: younger readers and family reading
Standout: introduction to Maltese history through intergenerational storytelling
Embassy of the Bahamas
A Visit to the Bahamas from A to Z
An illustrated alphabet book that introduces young readers to the culture, geography, and everyday life of The Bahamas through a guided journey across the islands. Following a group of young explorers and a bilingual guide, each entry connects a letter of the alphabet to aspects of Bahamian history, wildlife, and national identity.
Best for: elementary-age readers
Standout: alphabet-based structure that combines travel, culture, and education
Embassy of Mexico & The Mexican Cultural Institute
Benito Juárez Fights for Justice
A picture book biography that traces the life of Benito Juárez from his childhood in rural Oaxaca to his rise as a lawyer and eventually president of Mexico, emphasizing his commitment to justice, equality, and public service. Told in a narrative style accessible to younger readers, it introduces key moments in his life and the values that shaped his leadership.
Best for: younger readers and early nonfiction
Standout: accessible introduction to Mexican history through a single life story
Embassy of Malaysia
Hamra and the Jungle of Memories
A middle-grade fantasy set in Malaysia, where a thirteen-year-old girl enters a forbidden jungle and is bound to a magical quest after breaking its rules. Drawing on local folklore, the story blends myth and reality as she encounters legendary creatures while trying to restore what she has lost and make her way home.
Best for: middle-grade readers
Standout: integration of Malaysian folklore into a contemporary coming-of-age story
Embassy of Cuba
Bahía de Sal
A lyrical, atmospheric story set in a coastal community facing change and loss, where memory, identity, and belonging are closely tied to place. The narrative blends realism with emotional depth, offering younger readers a more reflective, culturally grounded perspective.
Best for: older children and early young adult readers
Standout: strong sense of place and emotional depth
Embassy of Ghana
Brave Music of a Distant Drum
A powerful historical novel that traces the life of an enslaved African woman as she recounts her story across generations, exploring memory, identity, and survival. Set against the backdrop of the transatlantic slave trade, the narrative is emotionally intense but ultimately centered on resilience and the importance of preserving history.
Best for: older young adult readers
Standout: intergenerational storytelling grounded in historical reality
Embassy of Lithuania
Between Shades of Gray (The Graphic Novel)
A historical novel following a fifteen-year-old girl and her family after they are deported from Lithuania by Soviet forces during World War II, tracing their journey through labor camps in Siberia. Told from a young narrator’s perspective, the story centers on survival, memory, and the preservation of identity under extreme conditions.
Best for: older young adult readers
Standout: personal perspective on a lesser-known history of Soviet deportations
Explore more global literature and cultural storytelling through the full Great Reads from Around the World collection—featuring books recommended by embassies, diplomats, and cultural institutions worldwide.
