Best Multicultural Board Books For Babies And Toddlers

The concept of a story has always held profound power, whether told verbally, through illustration, dance, or the written word. It gives us a look into the human soul, meeting us, challenging us, and stretching us to grow. Some books are like mirrors to us, making us feel comfortable and seen, and showing us a reflection of the world we know.

Other books are like windows, helping us to get a glimpse into other people’s lives, food, homes, languages, and cultures. This concept was first introduced by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. This article focuses on windows — glimpses and exposure for babies and kids to different worlds beyond their own, which increases understanding and empathy (and maybe a new love for a food they would never have tried.)

Quick tips for topics to look for when choosing multicultural books for kids

Food

Exploring foods from different cultures is a great way to introduce children to other cultures. Food is a relatable and great place to connect. Look for robust books with accurate and beautiful illustrations, as well as books that include recipes. Not only can kids see images of different food, but you can cook with them so they can try different flavors and textures.

Housing

There are so many different types of homes people live in, and it can often be an exciting surprise for kids to explore different ways people live. Look for interactive lift-the-flap options to make them feel like they are exploring the inside of homes. Titles that have explanations of why homes are built in different climates can also be fun and helpful!

Language

Different languages are a wonderful way to introduce different cultures to kids. Bilingual titles can be helpful to give them something familiar as they branch out to hear and see new sounds. Books that play songs by pressing buttons can keep kids engaged, increase their language exposure, and help words stick in their brains from rhymes and songs.

Tradition

Seeing what other cultures do for major holidays and different celebrations is a fun and interesting way for kids to connect to other cultures.

These are some of our favorite multicultural board books for kids:

• 

  Age Range

  Baby-3 years

  Print length

  24 pages

  Little Dumplings by Jekka Kuhlmann is colorful and fun as it introduces kids to different types of dumplings in rhyme, including bao, pierogi, samosa — and more! Foster a love for food and culinary traditions at a young age with this book.
   

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  3-5 years

  Print length

  16 pages

  A Place Called Home: Look Inside Houses Around the World by Kate Baker lets kids take a look inside homes from around the world by lifting flaps throughout the book to peek inside doors and windows. It will capture kids’ attention with beautiful illustrations while exploring wooden houses in Greenland, and Maasai mud huts in East Africa.
   

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  0-4 years

  Print length

  28 pages

  Noodles, Please! (A to Z Foods of the World) by Cheryl Yau Chepusova is a fun twist on an alphabet book covering 26 different kinds of noodles from around the world, including Ash Reshteh in Iran to Zaru Soba in Japan. Each page has a beautifully, bright and vibrant plating of the noodles.

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  1-4. years

  Print length

  14 pages

  Cali’s Books French Nursery Rhymes by Cali is beautifully illustrated with 6 nursery rhymes printed in French and English on each page. It also includes a music button to press and listen to each song in French including Frere Jacques, A la claire fontaine, Gentil coquelicot, Au clair de la lune, Ah! Vous dirai-je Maman, and Fais dodo, Colas mon p’tit frere, You can also scan a QR code to download songs and coloring pages!

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  0-3 years

  Print length

  20 pages

  Little Traveler Board Book Set by Mudpuppy is a set of 4 books showcasing food, animals, landmarks and vehicles through Germany, Mexico, Italy, Japan, USA, England, Thailand, Barbados, France, India, Egypt, Iceland, Madagascar, Galápagos, and Australia. It has very sparse texts and bright colors.
   

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  2-3 years

  Print length

  20 pages

  Our World: Ethiopia by Fitsum Tesfaye Habtemariam takes kids on a little journey through Ethiopia, learning about food, recreation and the Amharic language.

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  0-4 years

  Print length

  18 pages

  Little Book of Cheese Board Book by Christina Sicoli is a fun and whimpical representation of many different types of cheese, including Parmesan, Brie, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Feta, Emmental Swiss, and American. It also introduces textures, flavors, and tastes of cheese through rhyme.
   

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  2+ years

  Print length

  38 pages

  Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison is a great introduction to talking about race and skin color with young children with vibrant illustrations.

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  1-3 years

  Print length

  22 pages

  Hola! Jalapeno (World Snacks Series) by Amy Wilson Sanger has sparse rhyming text with bright, vibrant colors taking readers through a journey of Mexican cuisine.
   

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  Baby-2 years

  Print length

  16 pages

  Global Babies Board Book by The Global Fund for Children uses sparse text and color photographs of babies around the world to introduce kids to other cultures. It shows daily life, clothing, and traditions from areas like Bhutan and Guatemala. 

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  1-4 years

  Print length

  24 pages

  Dim Sum for Everyone! by Grace Lin is a heartwarming story about a family that meets every Sunday to eat Dim Sum together.

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  Baby-4 years

  Print length

  26 pages

  Let’s Be Friends: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Violet Lemay is an interactive, multicultural book for toddlers about friendship. It includes different home types, faiths, and ages, teaching kids how to celebrate their differences. 

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  1-2 years

  Print length

  22 pages

  First Book of Sushi (World Snacks Series) by Amy Wilson Sanger is a vibrantly illustrated book teaching readers about miso, tofu, tekka maki, and wasabi through rhyme.
   

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  Baby-4 years

  Print length

  20 pages

  Babies Around the World: A Board Book about Diversity that Takes Tots on an International Journey by Puck will take kids on a trip to New York, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Cape Town, Beijing, Cairo and Tokyo. Learn to say “hello” in different languages.
   

  
  

• 

  Age Range

  2-3 years

  Print length

  20 pages

  Our World: Egypt by Aya Khalil is written by an Egyptian author and takes kids on a journey through Egypt exploring tablas, pita bread, and learning Arabic words. 
   

  
  

The best time to read in different languages to your kids

Although we like to think there is a cut and dry age to read to our kids in multiple languages for maximum benefit, kids will benefit in a wide range of ages. The earlier babies hear sounds from different languages, the more readily their brains can recognize these sounds.

According to San Diego Family, experts believe learning a second language is best to begin in the preschool years due to brain elasticity. Despite this, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reports that scientists believe that children up to the age of 17 or 18 have a great window for learning a new language. The best thing you can do — at any age — is start!