After a year of remote or partially remote learning, many of us are eager to jump back into the classroom and close gaps—in learning and in-person connection. So we’ve partnered with Little Passports to bring you this globally (and galactically) inspired book list to bring us all a little closer.
Ready to join your kid on some eye-opening adventures around the world and the known universe? Get your passports ready and explore!
Books for Kids 3-5
Adventures to School
By: Miranda Paul
Illustrated by: Isabel Munoz
What’s your morning school routine? You might whip up a quick breakfast before dropping your little one off for a day of learning. But kids in other parts of the world get to school in all sorts of other ways. Determined to obtain an education, children in other countries walk for several hours, ride in rickshaws, walk over wire bridges and travel under other extraordinary circumstances to get to school. This fascinating book follows 13 real students as they embark on their sometimes dangerous treks in pursuit of knowledge.
School Days Around the World
By: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrated by: Alice Feagan
“What is a school? Is it a building with classrooms? Or can it be any place where children learn?” So begins this intriguing picture book about how children learn around the world. Following real kids in countries such as Ethiopia, Venezuela, China and more, the book shows young readers how much they have in common. With bright collage-style artwork and cheerful illustrations, it joyfully conveys a sense of global community and a universal love of learning.
Out The Door
By: Christy Hale
In this richly illustrated picture book set in the busy streets of Brooklyn, New York, your kid can follow a young student on her journey to school and back again. From tree-lined streets to the crowded subway to the classroom, every step of the way is an engaging story that entertains as it teaches important directional concepts (over, under, around) to early readers.
Like these? See the whole collection!
Books for Kids 6-9
Animals with Superpowers!: See in the Dark!
By: Emilie Dufresne
Spider-Man’s not the only one who can see in the dark! Join Professor Axe, as he hunts for the superheroes of the future in Earth’s animal kingdom. In this brightly illustrated comic book, your kid will learn a wealth of mind-blowing facts, like how geckos can see 350 times better in the dark than humans, and how hawk moths actually slow down their brains to view the colors of flowers at night.
If You Come to Earth
By: Sophie Blackall
From two-time Caldecott Winner author-illustrator Sophie Blackall comes a touching, humorous guide to planet Earth. Told via a letter from a little boy to potential visitors from another planet, this quirky yet gorgeously illustrated picture book teaches kids about Earth and the need to take care of it, and all it’s living creatures.
Your Place in the Universe
By: Jason Chin
In this accessible, well-researched nonfiction picture book your kid can explore the known universe and try to grasp it’s awesome scale. From the very small (“most 8-year olds are about 5 times as tall as this book”) to galaxy clusters and beyond, the book makes even the most complex topics understandable for young readers. It even includes extensive supplementary material in the back of the book for kids craving to learn more.
Like these? See the whole collection!
Even More Adventures Await!
This list is just the beginning. If your kid loves to explore and connect with their world by learning about different places and cultures, embark on even more fun with Little Passports. With a subscription, they’ll get interactive, play-based activities, toys, games and stories focused on geography, culture, STEAM and more delivered each month.
About Little Passports
Little Passports is a direct-to-consumer children’s brand developing original stories and activities focused on geography, culture, science, and art. We are a mission-driven company inspired to help children discover the wonders of the world around them. Our award-winning subscriptions have delivered millions of one-of-a-kind activity kits to children around the globe. With our products, children not only learn about a subject, but go on an imaginative global adventure, enriching their minds and developing an awareness of the wider world.
