Outstanding International Books for Grades PreK-2

The Outstanding International Books list recognizes outstanding books published or distributed in the United States that originated or were first published in a country other than the United States. Titles are selected annually by the United States Board on Books for Young People, the U.S. national section of the International Board on Books for Young People.

Updated December 18, 2024
C
CU Catalog Champaign Children's Team
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9 kilometers
Aguilera, Claudio
Paper Book
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - PreK-2 (2024) Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of the Year List (2023) The New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List (2023) ...
Montezuma's tantrum
Benet, Nuria Gmez
Paper Book
Emperor Montezuma's court tries everything to cure his bad mood in this delightful and hilarious story that sheds light on life in the Aztec empire--and the origins of hot chocolate. Montezuma is in a bad mood today. He doesn't want to see anyone or do anything! The people...
Ancient night
Bowles, David
Paper Book
Publishers Weekly Best of the Year BookPage Best of the Year Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Evanston Library Best of the Year Horn Book 2023 Summer Reading List "Vivid and vibrant." --NPR...
A sleepless night
Chirif, Micaela
Paper Book
Little Elisa can't stop crying and no one knows why. After a sleepless night, it takes a grandmother's touch--and an explosive fart--to bring much-needed relief. One night, little Elisa begins to cry. At first her crying resembles a cat's meow. But it soon grows so loud that the flowers...
I have the right
Dalvand, Reza
Paper Book
A BOOKSTAGANG FUTURE CLASSIC, 2023 A stunningly illustrated and essential volume on children's rights: an introduction for kids and a reminder for adults. I have the right to have a name and a nationality. I have the right to the best healthcare. I have the...
The slug and the snail
DeBhairduin, Oein
Paper Book
An USBBY Outstanding International Book 2025 An illustrated own-voices fable about self-acceptance and pride from a member of the Irish Traveller nomadic ethnic minority Drawn from the Irish Traveller oral storytelling tradition, DeBhairduin's tale is a gentle allegory about...
Wind : discovering air in motion
Fadeeva, Olʹga
Paper Book
The Children's Book Committee of Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year List - STEM & Outstanding Merit (2024) The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - PreK-2 (2024) ...
At the drop of a cat
Fontenaille, Élise
Paper Book
With lush art by two-time NYT Best Illustrated recipient Violeta Lópiz, a picture book about a boy and his larger-than-life immigrant grandfather, who shares with him the kind of learning that's not taught in classrooms. ★ A New York Times/New York Public...
The Legend of Tiger and Tail-flower
Gee Eun, Lee/ Park, Aerin (TRN)
Paper Book
CCBC Choices - Best Book of Year The #1 bestselling picture book in Korea . . . a laugh-out-loud blend of joyous comics and lush full spread illustrations! Tiger is a bit grumpy. Why won't the other forest animals give him food...even...
Adam and His Tuba
Gombac, Ziga X.
Paper Book
"Readers will be left screaming, 'Encore!'" -Kirkus Reviews A playful book about finding your own path. Everyone in the circus loves to perform - except for Adam, the youngest member of the Von Trapeze family. Wherever Adam Von Trapeze's family...
Taro Gomi's Big Book of Words
Gomi, Taro
Paper Book
Learning new words and phrases has never been so fun--and funny!  Taro Gomi introduces toddlers to first words in unforgettable ways: From flowers to a face, to greetings and games, this one-of-a-kind collection not only provides first-word basics...
The amazing and true story of Tooth Mouse Pérez
Herreros, Ana Cristina
Paper Book
Does every country have a Tooth Fairy? Well, in Spain and other Spanish- speaking countries, it happens to be a Tooth Mouse, and this is his story! ★ A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023 ★ A 2024 USBBY Outstanding International...
Look! Look!
Krishnaswami, Uma
Paper Book
A girl in India discovers an ancient step well in this companion book to the creators' much-loved Out of the Way! Out of the Way! When a girl discovers a slab of stone on a weedy patch of land, she calls to her friends, "Look! Look!" The children clear away the weeds and garbage and find...
A day with Mousse
Lebourg, Claire
A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR In a new series for early readers, Mousse receives an unexpected visit--and forms an unlikely friendship. Mousse loves his solitary life by the sea. In the mornings, he strolls on the beach to take...
The shade tree
Lee, Suzy
Paper Book
From Hans Christian Andersen award winner Suzy Lee comes an inventive retelling of a Korean folk tale about a young traveler who outwits a rich, selfish man to ensure that villagers will always be able to rest in the shade of a magnificent tree. "A gorgeous fable celebrating...
Rosie runs
Maijala, Marika
Paper Book
Rosie dreams of forests, meadows, hares, and freedom. Trapped at the racetrack, she sprints in endless circles - until one day, Rosie makes a fearless beeline to the enormous world beyond the track. Scared and a little excited too, Rosie runs through shadowy forests, a circus, a bustling train...
Little Shrew
Miyakoshi, Akiko
Paper Book
Little Shrew is diligent in all parts of life. He's a hard worker and follows a strict schedule from morning to night. But even a life that runs like clockwork can be filled with unexpected pockets of joy, such as solving a puzzle for the very first time, enjoying the scent of freshly baked bread,...
Friend of numbers : the life of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan
Narayanan, Priya (Children's author)
Paper Book
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - PreK-2 (2024) A memorable, inspiring introduction to a groundbreaking figure in STEM history. Growing up in southern India during British rule, Srinivasa...
NinitohtênânWe Listen
Nicholson, Caitlin Dale
Paper Book
The third book in the Nôhkom series, in Cree and English, tells a story about gathering leaves for Labrador tea, while listening in different ways. A child, her family and her friend have arrived at their favorite picnic spot by the lake, but before they eat lunch Nôhkom suggests they pick...
Boozhoo!Hello!
Pawis-Steckley, Mangeshig
Paper Book
Hello! Who do you see and hear in the woods today? Meet a variety of woodland and water animals in this story written in Anishinaabemowin and English. Can you see a fox digging, spot two minnows dancing or hear a swarm of bees buzzing? Boozhoo! / Hello! introduces children to familiar...
Marcelo, martello, marshmallow
Rocha, Ruth
Paper Book
"Rocha's offbeat family drama, originally published almost 50 years ago, will resonate with young parents today."--The New York Times "Fun to read aloud, as well as offering clever encouragement to think outside the linguistic box."-Kirkus Reviews Marcelo is a curious...
A daydreamy child takes a walk
Rodari, Gianni
Paper Book
Written by Gianni Rodari, the father of modern Italian children's literature, and charmingly illustrated by award-winning artist Beatrice Alemagna, this bright, sweet story reminds us what children are really like in the most essential and beautiful way! Little Giovanni is...
Colorful Mondays : a bookmobile spreads hope in Honduras
Rodríguez, Nelson
Paper Book
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - PreK-2 (2024) A beautiful, empowering story about the impact of literacy in underprivileged communities, based on a real bookmobile program in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. ...
What makes us human
Santos, Victor D. O.
Paper Book
National Council for the Social Studies-Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List - Kindergarten to Second Grade (2025) USBBY Outstanding International Books List (2025) "The profundity of the topic of...
Ludwig and the rhinoceros : a philosophical bedtime story
Schneider, Noemi
Paper Book
"Hugely entertaining." -Mac Barnett for The New York Times Does something exist even if you can't see it? A humorous bedtime story for budding philosophers. "There's a rhinoceros in my room!" Ludwig claims. His father doesn't think so. He looks for the huge...
Yellow butterfly : a story from Ukraine
Shatokhin, Oleksandr
Paper Book
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year A USBBY Outstanding International Book 2024 ★ "Provocative, powerful, breathtakingly beautiful." -STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews ★ "Both timely and timeless, evoking war and its...
The young teacher and the great serpent
Vasco, Irene
Paper Book
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - PreK-2 (2024) The New York Times New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books Award (2023) A stunningly illustrated fable about cultural...
Grandma's roof garden
Wei, Tang
Paper Book
Granny may be old, but she's certainly not feeble - or idle! She's built a splendid vegetable garden from scratch on the rooftop of her Chengdu apartment building. She collects thrown-away produce to feed her animals or make compost for the garden. ...
The bear and the wildcat
Yumoto, Kazumi.
Paper Book
A picture book with delicate illustrations that explains the path of grief, ending with the uplifting new beginning of a budding friendship based on understanding. A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023 When the little bird dies, his friend the bear is inconsolable. Full of...

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