6 Books to Celebrate Language and Community For International Literacy Day
Learning is powerful in every language. Discover our collection of multilingual books to encourage your child to embrace their community and identity on International Literacy Day 2024.
For many children around the world, learning multiple languages is a part of daily life. It’s how they connect with different aspects of their identity, culture, and community. By exploring these different parts of themselves through language, kids can build confidence, social-emotional skills, and mutual understanding.
That makes reading an important part of growing up and discovering our identities. Books allow us to learn languages and grow as we do so. When children feel comfortable with themselves and understand others, they have the confidence to build relationships and get outside of their comfort zone.
On BookSmart, we offer bilingual books, stories in multiple languages, and others that explore what it means to connect with people different than ourselves. Start exploring our collection of local and global languages today with the books below and get kids learning.
*If a book link doesn’t work for you, simply open BookSmart on your device and search for the tile.
Daily Life (Comparing Countries) / La vida diaria (Compara países) by Sabrina Crewe
Published by Crabtree Publishing
Ages 6-8
This bilingual Spanish and English book takes you on a journey around the world to see what the daily lives of people in other countries are like, from what they wear to how they have fun.
► Read it in English and Spanish here.
Note: This book is only available in North America.
Sequoyah and the Cherokee Alphabet (Voices Leveled Library) by Dana Townsend
Published by Highlights
Ages 9-12
This is the story of the great Cherokee leader, Sequoyah, who gave his people the gift of a written language.
► Learn about creating a language here.
► Leer en español aquí.
Note: This book is only available in North America.
Dancing Hands by Joanna Que
Published by Room to Read
Ages 6-8
Sam’s new neighbor has hands that can dance. Sam and Mai soon become good friends. But sometimes they have misunderstandings. Can Sam learn to make music with her hands too?
► Discover the beauty of sign language here.
Louis Braille (Voices Leveled Library) by Julliette Looye
Published by Highlights
Ages 6-8
In the 1800s, Louis Braille went blind as a child. He went to school, but he could not read any of the books. Braille came up with his own system of writing using dots. Years after Braille’s death, many all over the world use his system.
► Find out how language was made accessible here.
► Leer en español aquí.
क्या तुमने यह देखा है? / Have You Seen This? / Kya Tumne Yeh Dekha Hai? by Arthi Ananad Navaneeth
Published by Tulika Publishers
Ages 0-5
It’s a very mixed-up world where flowers talk and trees fly! Goofy text and whacky illustrations whirl the reader along. यह एक बहुत मिश्रित दुनिया है जहां फूल बात करते हैं और पेड़ उड़ते हैं! हास्यास्पद और मजेदार चित्र अपने साथ पाठक को चकरा देते है I
► Read it in English and Hindi here.
Note: This book is only available in India.
Stan’s Olympic Plans (Read with Highlights) by K.L. Pickett
Published by Highlights
Ages 9-12
Stan wants to participate in the Olympics, but he keeps getting hurt when he tries different sports. Later he decides to become a sports doctor at the Olympics instead.
► Find strength everywhere here.
Art for All by Olivia Wood
Published by Worldreader and Ashoka
Ages 6-12
Art for All is based on a true story about a young girl living in Egypt who used art to help welcome refugees to her community.
► Share art with everyone here.
► Find it in regional languages like Swahili, Ukrainian, Spanish, and more by searching “Art for All” on BookSmart.
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