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 April 1, 2026
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CU Catalog Champaign Children's Team
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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.

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Clara and the man with books in his window
Andruetto, María Teresa
Paper Book
This is the story of my mother and her friend Juan, of how she discovered books and he the light of day. So begins Clara and the Man With Books in His Window. In this beautifully illustrated book, set in rural 1920s Argentina, Hans Christian Andersen Award-winning...
The Snow Theater
Arai, Ryoji
Paper Book
From Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award winner Ryoji Arai comes a gorgeous picture book about a child learning to cope with making mistakes, while having a magical experience in the wild, beautiful snow. After accidentally ripping the pages of his father's favorite book, a pensive...
M is for mango
Atinuke
Paper Book
From the award-winning creators of Baby Goes to Market comes a delicious tale of mischievous toddlers, juicy mangoes, and cunning monkeys--starring the letter M. Oh look . . . M is for Monkeys! Oh NO! M is for Mine! M is...
The three-year tumble : based on a Korean folktale
Auh, Dayeon
Paper Book
A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book, 2025 A Smithsonian Magazine Best Children's Book, 2025 Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Books, Best Book of 2025 An ALA Notable Children's Book, 2026...
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...
The playdate
Brandelius, Uje
Paper Book
For one little girl, the prospect of a playdate at her friend Henry's house fills her with excitement. She really likes Henry. He even has a funny dog. And although she and her mother have to take a bus, then the subway, then change to another line, then a bus, and then walk for a while,...
A sleepless night
Chirif, Micaela
Paper Book
2024 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book 2025 USBBY Outstanding International Books 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,...
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...
My friend May
Flett, Julie
Paper Book
From the winner of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Prize and the American Indian Youth Literature Award I'd like to tell you a rather true story about a big black cat who started out gray. Her name was May. Margaux and her cat May...
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...
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...
Paloma flies away
Guarda, María J.
Paper Book
An Ezra Jack Keats Honor Book Will Paloma and her parents someday find their way back to home and family? A Chilean artist tells an emotionally resonant, beautifully illustrated immigration story through a child's eyes. Paloma's home has changed. The dictator who...
Pencil
Kim, Hye-Eun
Paper Book
New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Book A Kirkus Best Book A BookPage Best Book An ALSC Notable Children's Book What is a pencil? A forest transformed. In this beautifully illustrated wordless picture book, young readers can follow a pencil's...
Blue sky morning
Kim, Jihyun (Illustrator)
Paper Book
Named a Best Book of 2025 by The Center for the Study of Multicultural Childrens Literature Eunny and Mama notice the beauty of an ordinary day in this mindful picture book from the creator of The Depth of the Lake and the Height of the Sky. Eunny wakes up slowly. Soon it's time for...
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...
Everybelly
Lam, Thao
Paper Book
Winner of the 2025 Kirkus Prize! A joyful celebration of an oft-maligned body part -- the belly! Maddie and her mom spend a sunny day at the local public pool where she meets and greets friends and neighbors. Maddie is waist-high on most of them, and she knows there's an interesting person...
A day with Mousse
Lebourg, Claire
Paper Book
A NEW YORK TIMES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2025 USBBY Outstanding International Books 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...
Take a Walk with the Wind
Liang, Xiong
Paper Book
A spirited tale of a small, mythical being who wanders off with the wind - inspired by ancient Chinese poetry and rendered in exquisite silk paintings. Inspired by a classical Chinese poem by Song Yu, Take a Walk With the Wind dives into the world of the treelings, tiny...
Croco
Lopez, Azul
A Kirkus Reviews Most Empowering Picture Books of 2025 Winner of ALA's Mildred L. Batchelder Award for Best Work in Translation "Three cheers for this resourceful reptilian!"―Kirkus Reviews In a vibrant tropical jungle, Croco the Crocodile has fallen into a hole...
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,...
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...
Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash!
Ohnari, Yuko.
Paper Book
A young boy celebrates a refreshing storm in this joyous multisensory picture book about experiencing a cloudburst of rain on a hot summer day It is a hot summer day. But soon dark clouds roll in. A boy looks up at the sky and smells the air as the first raindrops hit the...
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...
My home is in my backpack
Perrella, Eugenia
Paper Book
"We have left our house behind," Papa explains, "but our home is special: it is made from the people we love and the things we love doing." "Yes," says Mama. "We all carry our special homes with us -- in our backpacks and pockets, and in our hearts." Clara knew that one day her...
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...
What makes us human
Santos, Victor D. O.
Paper Book
A National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)-Children's Book Council (CBC) Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List  A USBBY Outstanding International Book Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature ...
Afloat
Saunders, Kirli
Paper Book
A powerful picture book story for our time of climate crisis interwoven with Indigenous wisdom. From multi-award-winning Gunai author Kirli Saunders and Kate Greenaway Medal-winner Freya Blackwood comes Afloat. Against a backdrop of a changed environment, an...
How to Reach the Moon
Schuff, Nicolas
Paper Book
Emilio and Abuelo: two adventurers off to see the moon! Emilio loves spending vacations out in the forest at his abuelo's house. The woods are mysterious, and Abuelo and Emilio can dine outside by the light of a lantern every night. And then, best of all, Abuelo tells his...
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. ...
Picking tea with Baba
Xu, Bin (Children's author)
Paper Book
Working in a Chinese tea garden is hard work, but it's rewarding when it's done with family in this 2026 Batchelder Honor Book. This day-in-the-life picture book for 5-9-year-olds engages the senses as it centers around family and working together while celebrating Chinese culture.<...
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