International Children’s Book Day celebrates the vibrant imagination of children, encourages them to explore the world of literature, and acknowledges the role of authors, illustrators, translators, and publishers. This year’s theme “cross the seas on the wings of your imagination” highlights one of the most significant strengths of children’s literature – its ability to reflect the rich tapestry of human experiences and cultures. From tales of bravery and adventure to stories that tackle important social issues, children’s books have the power to foster empathy, understanding, and acceptance. Below, we’ve picked 8 of our favorites from this year’s Outstanding International Books List.

“Ancient Night” Written by David Álvarez and David Bowles, Illustrated by David Álvarez
Grades: PreK-2

Publisher's Synopsis: "David Álvarez is one of the most extraordinary artists working today. His black-and-white illustrations have gained fame in his home country of Mexico and around the world.

Here, in Ancient Night (Noche Antigua), David displays his immense talent with full-color illustrations for the first time.

Ancient Night is a twist on two Nahuatl traditions: the rabbit which the Feathered Serpent placed on the moon, and Yaushu, the Lord Opossum who ruled the earth before humans came, and who stole fire from the gods to create the sun."

“9 Kilometers” Written by Claudio Aguilera, Illustrated by Gabriela Lyon, Translated by Lawrence Schimel
Grade: PreK-2

Publisher's Synopsis: "The sky is still dark when a young boy leaves home for school. He has a long path ahead: nine kilometers—over five-and-a-half miles—through the mountains and rain forests of Chile. But the boy doesn’t mind. While he walks, he can count butterflies and lizards, and he can think about where the 15,000 steps he takes every morning could lead. Nine kilometers could bring the boy across ninety soccer fields, up the world’s ten largest buildings, or into a classroom at last…

Set against the lush backdrop of southern Chile, this book features one of the many children around the world who travel long distances in order to go to school. After the story, thoughtfully illustrated back matter explores the unique birds of Chile and the courage of similar students’ journeys in other countries. Striking and timely, 9 Kilometers will open lasting conversations about social inequalities, the value of learning, and the resilience of those who push past obstacles toward a better future."

“The Young Teacher and the Great Serpent” Written by Irene Vasco, Illustrated by Juan Palomino, Translated by Lawrence Schimel
Grade: PreK-2

Publisher's Synopsis: "A young teacher sets out for the Amazon rain forest, eager to share geography, science, and math with the remote community of Las Delicias. The town’s children love the books the young teacher brings, and yet they keep repeating legends about a great and dangerous serpent. The young teacher can’t believe her students still care about that nonsense. But as the river rises, those stories don’t seem so strange anymore.  Maybe books aren’t the only way to discover the wisdom of past generations…

The Young Teacher and the Great Serpent is a poetic, thought-provoking exploration of how stories can protect and guide a community. Bold, dynamic art and lyrical writing will open unforgettable conversations about cross-cultural relationships, the importance of indigenous knowledge, and what it means to be a lifelong learner."

“Colorful Mondays: A Bookmobile Spreads Hope in Honduras” Written by Nelson Rodríguez and Leonardo Agustín Montes, Illustrated by Rosana Faría and Carla Tabora, Translated by Lawrence Schimel
Grades: PreK-2

Publisher's Synopsis: "Luis’s favorite day of the week is Monday, the day the bookmobile comes to his neighborhood. In Villa Nueva, sad stories can gather like dark, stormy clouds. But at the bookmobile, Luis hears stories that burst with life, laughter, and color. Maybe today will bring a song or a puppet show! He might even get to pick a book to read on his own. Every new Monday fills Luis and his neighbors with a joy they can’t help but bring back home.

Co-written by the director of JustWorld International’s bookmobile program in Tegucigalpa, Colorful Mondays is an inspiring celebration of the ways books and learning can bring joy to a community. Illustrated in captivating swirls of color, this uplifting book highlights the strength of disadvantaged children and the creativity of those who help them imagine a better future."

“Wind: Discovering Air in Motion” Written and Illustrated by Olga Fadeeva, Translated by Lena Traer
Grades: PreK-2

Publisher's Synopsis: "If your hair has ever blown back on a breezy day, you’ve noticed the wind at work. But what causes the wind? Are there different types of wind? How do we measure and name them? How does the wind shape our ecosystems, plants, and animals? What about people: how have human beings used the wind in the past and the present? Can you really sail into the wind, and would a tailwind help or hurt your plane’s takeoff? Up, up beyond the clouds, does the wind affect other planets, too?

Created with help from a meteorologist, this beautiful book is a fascinating exploration of the wind’s role in world history and earth science. Playful prose and colorful illustrations invite children to bring their questions along as they learn more about this powerful—but sometimes overlooked—natural element."

“Letters in Charcoal” Written by Irene Vasco, Illustrated by Juan Palomino, Translated by Lawrence Schimel
Grades: 3-5

Publisher's Synopsis: "In the pueblo of Palenque in Colombia, hardly anybody knows how to read. Curious about the letters her older sister Gina receives from a young doctor each month—letters that she is sure contain promises of love—one young girl makes a decision that will change her life, and the lives of every child in the pueblo, forever.

With the help of Señor Velandia, the owner of the village shop, she will slowly unlock the letters of the alphabet and discover the magic of reading. And soon she will make a discovery that is more miraculous still—that letters are literally all around her."

“The Walking School Bus” Written by Aaron Friedland and Ndileka Mandela, Illustrated by Andrew Jackson Obol
Grades: 3-5

Publisher's Synopsis: "Every morning, Shaka and his little sister Nandi walk with their father to school. Though the journey is long and hot, they arrive at school happy to see their friends and ready to learn. Then one day, their father gives them terrible news: he has to go work in a mine far away, and they won’t be able to go to school anymore. The route is too dangerous for them to walk alone, so they’ll have to stay home. 

But when they discover a yellow toy bus in the dirt, Shaka and Nandi let their imaginations run wild. Could they buy their own school bus? Or build one themselves? Their plans prove much harder than they thought—but just when they’re about to give up, Shaka and Nandi come up with an ingenious solution to get to school, one that will take the whole community to help.

With lively illustrations from Andrew Jackson Obol, The Walking School Bus is an engaging story that shows the challenges many children around the world face in accessing education, as well as the creativity and community spirit that can help overcome them."

“The Moon Tonight: Our Moon’s Journey Around Earth” Written and Illustrated by Jung Chang-hoon, Translated by Paige Morris
Grades: 3-5

Publisher's Synopsis: "Everyone on Earth can look up and marvel at our moon in the night sky. It is an experience we share across cultures and continents. As our closest celestial neighbor, the moon touches on many aspects of our lives and has inspired interest from people across centuries.

In The Moon Tonight, you can share that same sense of wonder with your child through the eyes of a father-daughter duo as they learn the science behind the twenty-nine-day lunar cycle and the moon’s four phases: crescent, quarter, full, and new.

With age-appropriate and easy-to-follow scientific explanations by astronomer Jung Chang-hoon paired with stunningly beautiful acrylic drawings by an award-winning Bologna Book Fair Illustrator of the Year, Jang Ho, this picture book offers families a reading experience that is both poetic and educational.

A perfect STEM classroom read and bedtime story for little readers curious about where the moon goes and why."