10 Books to Read with Your Kids Before Traveling to a New Country: Spark Curiosity and Cultural Awareness

Traveling with kids can be an enriching experience, opening their eyes to new cultures and perspectives. We've found that reading books about a destination beforehand can enhance the journey, sparking curiosity and excitement in young minds.

Exploring stories set in your travel destination can help children connect with the place before they even arrive. These literary adventures lay the groundwork for deeper understanding and appreciation during the trip. From picture books to chapter novels, there's a wealth of options to choose from for every age group and reading level.

1) This Is How We Do It by Matt Lamothe

We love this book for introducing our kids to daily life in different countries. It follows seven real children from Italy, Japan, Iran, India, Peru, Uganda, and Russia.

The colorful illustrations show how these kids eat breakfast, go to school, and play with friends. It's a great way to spark conversations about cultural similarities and differences.

Our little ones are always fascinated by the diverse clothing, foods, and homes depicted. We find it helps them understand that while customs may vary, children worldwide share many common experiences.

This book is perfect for preparing kids for international travel. It encourages empathy and curiosity about other cultures. We often refer back to it during our trips, comparing what we see to the book's illustrations.

Reading "This Is How We Do It" together has become a cherished pre-travel tradition in our family. It's a wonderful tool for fostering open-mindedness and global awareness in our children.

2) The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

We love "The Colors of Us" for its beautiful celebration of diversity. This picture book introduces children to the many shades of skin color found around the world.

Karen Katz's vibrant illustrations showcase a range of skin tones, comparing them to delicious foods and natural elements. It's a wonderful way to start conversations about race and identity with our little ones.

The story follows seven-year-old Lena as she learns to mix paint colors to capture the unique shades of her friends and family. We find this approach both engaging and educational for young readers.

Reading this book before traveling can help our kids appreciate the diverse appearances they'll encounter in a new country. It encourages them to see beauty in all skin colors and cultures.

We've found that "The Colors of Us" sparks curiosity about different ethnicities. It's a great springboard for discussing the various peoples we might meet on our travels.

3) Same, Same But Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw

We love this charming picture book that introduces children to the concept of cultural similarities and differences. It follows the friendship between two pen pals: Elliot from America and Kailash from India.

Through their delightful correspondence, young readers discover how these boys' lives are both alike and unique. They explore everyday activities, family structures, and local customs in each country.

The vibrant illustrations bring both worlds to life, showcasing colorful cityscapes and rural landscapes. Children will enjoy spotting familiar objects and learning about new ones as they compare the two cultures.

This book encourages curiosity and open-mindedness about other ways of life. It's an excellent tool for sparking conversations about diversity and fostering global awareness in young travelers.

We find it particularly useful for preparing kids to visit India or other South Asian countries. It helps them anticipate some cultural differences they might encounter while also recognizing shared human experiences.

4) Children Around the World by Donata Montanari

We love this book for introducing our kids to diverse cultures before traveling. Donata Montanari's colorful illustrations showcase children from 42 different countries.

Each page features a child's name, their native language, and a fun fact about their culture. It's a great way to spark curiosity about the places we might visit.

Our little ones enjoy pointing out similarities and differences between themselves and the children in the book. It's heartwarming to see them connect with kids from around the globe.

We find this book particularly useful for discussing traditional clothing, foods, and customs. It helps prepare our children for the new experiences they'll encounter during our travels.

Reading "Children Around the World" together often leads to engaging conversations about diversity and acceptance. We appreciate how it encourages our kids to embrace different cultures.

5) If You Lived Here: Houses of the World by Giles Laroche

We love this book for its unique approach to exploring different cultures through architecture. Giles Laroche takes us on a journey around the world, showcasing diverse homes from various countries and time periods.

The stunning cut-paper illustrations bring each dwelling to life. Our kids are fascinated by the intricate details of yurts, longhouses, and cliff dwellings.

This book sparks curiosity about how people live in different parts of the world. It's a great way to introduce our children to cultural diversity and geography.

We find the fun facts accompanying each house type particularly engaging. They provide insights into the materials used, the reasons behind specific designs, and the lifestyles of the inhabitants.

Reading this book before a trip helps us appreciate the architectural styles we might encounter. It's a wonderful conversation starter about how environment and culture shape the way people build their homes.

6) What the World Eats by Faith D'Aluisio

We love this book for its vivid portrayal of global food cultures. Faith D'Aluisio takes us on a culinary journey around the world, showing what families in different countries eat in a week.

The stunning photographs by Peter Menzel capture the essence of each family's food habits. We see tables laden with local dishes, snacks, and staples from 24 countries.

This book sparks fascinating conversations with our kids about cultural differences and similarities. It's a great way to introduce them to new foods they might encounter on our travels.

We find it eye-opening to compare portion sizes and food types across cultures. It's also a valuable tool for discussing nutrition and global food issues with our children.

Reading "What the World Eats" before a trip helps us prepare our kids for new culinary experiences. It gets them excited about trying unfamiliar dishes and understanding different food customs.

7) Let's Eat by Ana Zamorano

We love this charming book that introduces children to Spanish culture through the lens of family mealtime. Ana Zamorano's story follows a week in the life of a Spanish family, showcasing their daily meals and traditions.

The colorful illustrations by Morella Fuenmayor bring the scenes to life, depicting typical Spanish dishes and family gatherings. Our kids will get a taste of Spanish cuisine, from paella to churros, without leaving home.

This book is perfect for preparing little ones for a trip to Spain or any Spanish-speaking country. It helps familiarize them with meal customs and food vocabulary they might encounter during their travels.

We find that "Let's Eat" sparks conversations about cultural differences in eating habits and family dynamics. It's a great way to encourage our children to be open-minded about trying new foods and embracing different traditions.

Reading this book together can build excitement for the culinary adventures awaiting us on our trip. It might even inspire us to try cooking some Spanish dishes at home before we depart!

8) How My Parents Learned to Eat by Ina R. Friedman

We love this charming book that introduces kids to cultural differences through food and dining customs. It tells the story of an American sailor and a Japanese girl who fall in love but are nervous about eating together.

The sailor worries about using chopsticks, while the girl is anxious about Western table manners. Their sweet attempts to learn each other's customs make for a heartwarming tale.

This book is perfect for families planning trips to Japan or East Asian countries. It helps children understand that cultural differences can be embraced and celebrated.

We appreciate how the story emphasizes the importance of trying new things and being open-minded. It's a great way to prepare kids for encountering unfamiliar foods and customs during travel.

The illustrations are delightful, bringing the characters and their experiences to life. We find it's a great conversation starter about cultural respect and curiosity.

Reading this book together can spark discussions about what foods and customs we might encounter on our own travels. It's a wonderful tool for building excitement and openness to new experiences.

9) The Barefoot Book of Children by Tessa Strickland and Kate DePalma

We love this beautifully illustrated book that celebrates diversity and cultural differences around the world. It's a perfect choice for families preparing to travel internationally with kids.

The Barefoot Book of Children takes young readers on a journey to meet children from various backgrounds and cultures. It explores how kids live, play, and learn in different parts of the globe.

Through vibrant artwork and engaging text, the book introduces concepts like family structures, homes, schools, and daily routines. It highlights both the similarities and unique aspects of children's lives worldwide.

This book sparks curiosity about other cultures and encourages empathy. It's an excellent tool for discussing diversity with our little ones before embarking on a trip abroad.

Reading it together can help our children develop a global perspective and appreciate the rich tapestry of human experiences. It's a wonderful way to prepare them for the new sights, sounds, and customs they'll encounter during their travels.

10) Next Stop: The World by Rusty Carnew

We love this charming book that takes young readers on a whirlwind tour of different countries and cultures. Rusty Carnew's vibrant illustrations bring each destination to life, capturing the essence of local landmarks, customs, and people.

The story follows a family of four as they embark on an around-the-world adventure. At each stop, they learn fascinating facts about the country's history, try new foods, and make friends with local children.

What sets this book apart is its interactive elements. Children can collect "passport stamps" for each country visited and complete fun activities related to each destination. It's a great way to spark curiosity about the world beyond our borders.

We appreciate how the book encourages empathy and understanding for different ways of life. It gently introduces concepts like cultural differences and global citizenship in a way that's accessible to young readers.

Reading "Next Stop: The World" with our kids before a trip helps build excitement and provides a framework for discussing what they might experience in a new country. It's an engaging way to prepare children for the joys of international travel.