Books from around the world (younger children)

Vanilla Ice Cream

Enjoy some of our recommended books for younger children from around the world!

These books range from explorations of our planet to translated works from far flung places. They cover genres of adventure, humour and fantasy. There's something for all types of children, what's important is that they all show tales beyond the familiar.

  • Down by the River

    Author: Grace Hallworth Illustrator: Caroline Binch

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Down by the River

    Author: Grace Hallworth Illustrator: Caroline Binch

    Interest level: 5+

    Reading age: 6+

    Originally published in 1996, this is a welcome reappearance of a picture book brimming with Caribbean sunshine and culture.

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  • Alive Again

    Author: Ahmadreza Ahmadi Illustrator: Nahid Kazemi Translator: Azita Rassi

    Interest level: 3-8

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Alive Again

    Author: Ahmadreza Ahmadi Illustrator: Nahid Kazemi Translator: Azita Rassi

    Interest level: 3-8

    Reading age: 5+

    A young boy asks his father what happens to the word 'blossom' when the blossom is blown from the trees. Does the word die, along …

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  • They Say Blue

    Author: Jillian Tamaki

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 5+

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  • They Say Blue

    Author: Jillian Tamaki

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 5+

    In They Say Blue, we follow a young girl as she explores the colours in the world. A beautiful, poetic picture book that will…

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  • Off to Market

    Author: Elizabeth Dale Illustrator: Erika Pal

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • Off to Market

    Author: Elizabeth Dale Illustrator: Erika Pal

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 7+

    Everyone wants to catch the bus to the market, but eventually it’s so full that it can’t make it up the hill. Who will…

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  • Ralf

    Author: Jean Jullien Translator: Gwendal Le Bec

    Interest level: 4-6

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Ralf

    Author: Jean Jullien Translator: Gwendal Le Bec

    Interest level: 4-6

    Reading age: 6+

    Ralf the dog's long body has always been a hindrance - until the day a fire sweeps through his home. This gorgeous book is a great…

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  • The Story of Babar

    Author: Jean De Brunhoff Translator: Merle S. Haas

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 7+

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  • The Story of Babar

    Author: Jean De Brunhoff Translator: Merle S. Haas

    Interest level: 4+

    Reading age: 7+

    ' In the great forest, a litle elephant was born. His name was Babar...'

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  • Vanilla Ice Cream

    Author: Bob Graham

    Interest level: 3-6

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Vanilla Ice Cream

    Author: Bob Graham

    Interest level: 3-6

    Reading age: 5+

    A curious little sparrow travels from a dusty Indian truck stop to a vast southern city across the ocean. This endearing picture b…

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  • Baby Goes to Market

    Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank

    Interest level: 2-5

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  • Baby Goes to Market

    Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Angela Brooksbank

    Interest level: 2-5

    Reading age:

    With a basket balanced on her head and Baby strapped to her back, Mama embarks on an eventful trip to a West African market. …

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  • Sleep Well Siba & Saba

    Author: Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl Illustrator: Sandra Van Doorn

    Interest level: 2-6

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Sleep Well Siba & Saba

    Author: Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl Illustrator: Sandra Van Doorn

    Interest level: 2-6

    Reading age: 5+

    Sisters Siba and Saba are always forgetting where they have left things. They leave sweaters on buses and sandals at the beach. At…

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  • The Dress and the Girl

    Author: Camille Andros Illustrator: Julie Morstad

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 6+

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  • The Dress and the Girl

    Author: Camille Andros Illustrator: Julie Morstad

    Interest level: 4-7

    Reading age: 6+

    Emigrating to America, a girl loses the trunk that contains her beloved dress. The dress then embarks on an epic around-the-world …

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  • Handa's Surprise

    Author: Eileen Browne

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Handa's Surprise

    Author: Eileen Browne

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

    Glorious images of an African village convey the sights, smells and colours of the landscape, its animals and its food in a story …

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  • R is for Russia

    Author: Vladimir Kabakov Prodeepta Das

    Interest level: 3-8

    Reading age: 7+

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  • R is for Russia

    Author: Vladimir Kabakov Prodeepta Das

    Interest level: 3-8

    Reading age: 7+

    Did you know that the underground railways in Moscow and St Petersburg are decorated with mosaics, paintings and even chandeliers?…

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  • Elephants Never Forget

    Author: Anushka Ravishankar Illustrator: Christiane Pieper

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Elephants Never Forget

    Author: Anushka Ravishankar Illustrator: Christiane Pieper

    Interest level: 2+

    Reading age: 5+

    A simple tale about an elephant who gets lost in a storm. He falls in with a herd of buffalo, who save him from a tiger attack and…

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  • Counting Chickens

    Author: Polly Alakija

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Counting Chickens

    Author: Polly Alakija

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

    Tobi's colourful village life is captured in vivid detail in this charming counting story, perfect for sharing.

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  • Yokki and the Parno Gry

    Author: Richard O’Neill and Katharine Quarmby Illustrator: Marieke Nelissen

    Interest level: 4-6

    Reading age: 6+

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  • Yokki and the Parno Gry

    Author: Richard O’Neill and Katharine Quarmby Illustrator: Marieke Nelissen

    Interest level: 4-6

    Reading age: 6+

    Yokki and his family are travellers. After a particularly poor harvest, Yokki raises people's spirits with his uplifting stories o…

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  • Drummer Boy of John John

    Author: Mark Greenwood Illustrator: Frané Lessac

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

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  • Drummer Boy of John John

    Author: Mark Greenwood Illustrator: Frané Lessac

    Interest level: 3+

    Reading age: 5+

    The vibrant colours and swinging sounds of Trinidad resound through this story of musical invention and enjoyment

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