Our World

"This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting" – School Library Journal Günaydin! Let's spend a day in Türkiye. Eat fresh simit and plums, play yakantop, and read stories inside coffee cups. Even learn words in Turkish with pronunciation guides throughout the story. • Part of the Barefoot Books Our World series • Written by Turkish author and illustrator Emrah Güler and Deniz Üçbaşaran • Extended endmatter offers a further glimpse into life in Türkiye Joining the Our World series for very young readers, this board book with endnotes about daily life in Türkiye was created by a Turkish author and illustrator. Emrah Güler is a writer and journalist from Türkiye who has been writing professionally for 25 years. He is the founding partner of a digital media agency, creating strategy and tailoring content to cultural institutions, film industry, and civil society. Emrah has worked closely with disadvantaged groups including refugees, the LGBTQ+ community, women, children, and minorities. He graduated from the Children's Book Academy, is a member of SCBWI, and is also one of the authors of UN Women's recent initiative Awake Not Sleeping, a collection of 25 stories reimagining fairy tales. Born in Istanbul, Türkiye, Deniz Üçbaşaran moved to İzmir after completing her university education. She has been working as a freelance illustrator for many years and has dozens of children's books, some of which have won awards. Deniz shares life with a garden, trees, flowers, books, and cats. In recent years, she has also embarked on new artistic adventures in her ceramics workshop. Günaydın! Spend a day in Türkiye eating fresh simit and plums, playing yakantop, and reading stories inside coffee cups.

"This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting" – School Library Journal Magandang umaga! Come along for a day in the Philippines. Ride the unicorn jeepney, stop by the sari sari, and cool off with sweet halo halo. Filipino author Moor and illustrator team Happy Garaje draw on their lived experiences to create this beautiful board book, which includes educational endnotes, as part of the Our World series for very young readers. Joining the Our World series, this board book with endnotes about the Philippines was created by a Filipino author and illustrator team. ★ "A young girl in a bright, polka-dot dress invites readers to spend a day with her in the Philippines. Readers meet her lola (grandmother), tatay (father), and other cheerful members of her family . . . vivid illustrations packed with color and personality" – School Library Journal Zewlan Moor writes playful books for today's savvy kids. She has a Filipino father and Anglo-Australian mother and lives with her young family on the land of the Yugambeh people at the Gold Coast, Australia. Zewlan loves to read, practise medicine and combine the two through bibliotherapy. Johanna Velasco and Mark Deutsch (Happy Garaje) are artists from Cebu City, Philippines. They are inspired by everyday people, hopes, dreams, and the in-between places where things are not quite what they seem. They have a daughter called Summer, named after the season with many happy memories of sunny days and the sea. Magandang umaga! Spend a day in the Philippines riding the unicorn jeepney, visiting the sari-sari, enjoying sweet halo-halo, and dancing under the stars.

Come along for a day in Egypt! There's so much to explore -- candy-colored boats, thumping tablas and warm pita bread. Author Aya Khalil and illustrator Magda Azab draw on their personal experience of life in Egypt to create this appealing board book for very young readers. Aya Khalil is the award-winning author of The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story, which is an NCTE's Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book and a 2021 Arab American Book Award among other honors, The Night Before Eid: A Muslim Family Story (2023) and The Banned Books Bake Sale: A Protest Story (2023). Aya holds a master's degree in Education and works as a freelance journalist, whose articles have been featured in The Huffington Post and The Christian Science Monitor, among other publications. She immigrated from Egypt to the United States when she was young and currently lives with her partner and three children in Northwest Ohio. Find her at: ayakhalil.com. Magda Azab is an Italian-Egyptian illustrator based in a small town near Milan. She works with clients from all around the world on a wide range of projects, from editorial illustrations to animations, branding images and pattern design. Her signature style is a combination of geometrical shapes, funny characters and harmonious color palettes with a retro twist.

Spend a day in France counting the dogs un-deux-trois, taking Doudou out for a walk, and playing until it's time for bonne nuit. Author Evelyne Holingue and illustrator Margaux Carpentier draw on their young lives in France to create an authentic picture of modern French life. "Lovely illustrations accompany this quaint, toddler-friendly intro to French culture and language" – Kirkus Reviews Born in Normandy, Evelyne Holingue studied French literature at La Sorbonne in Paris before immigrating to the USA; while raising her bilingual family, she never stopped to write and teach. A published author of fiction for children and young adults, she is often invited to school and book events. Evelyne and her husband now call the Blue Ridge Mountains home. Margaux Carpentier is an image maker and storyteller working mainly in London, sometimes in France, and further away. She creates pictures using a symbolic language, so each piece can be read by all, in many different ways. Her work is inspired by the infinite combinations of hues offered by the world; her images transcribe the choreography of living things. She works on varied projects, from large murals, installations and paintings to detailed book illustrations, and even toys!

Let's spend a day in Brazil! Ride the nibus to the beach, drink sugar cane juice at the feira and play capoeira. Brazilian author Ana Siquiera and illustrator Ana Matsusaki draw on their personal experiences living in Brazil to create this appealing board book as part of the Our World Series for very young readers. Brazilian author and illustrator add this appealing board book about daily life in Brazil to the Our World series for very young readers. "In the Our World series, this book shows vibrant scenes from Brazil, then simple sentences in both English and Portuguese, plus a smattering of phonetics . . . Armchair traveling for the youngest, or a way for them to learn about faraway relatives and new words" – School Library Journal Ana Siqueira is a Spanish-language elementary teacher, an award-winning Brazilian children's author and a published author in the foreign language educational market. She loves dancing frevo and drinking mate at the beach. Ana was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She now lives in Tampa, USA with her Cuban husband. www.anafiction.com Ana Matsusaki was born in São Paulo and now lives in Curitiba, in the south of Brazil. Each week, she goes to the feira with her dog, Xumica, to choose delicious street food. She loves to travel around Brazil; there is always more to learn about her own country. Ana has illustrated several children's books in Brazil. www.anamatsusaki.com

¡Hola! Come along for a day of exploring the sights and sounds of Colombia from the farm to the city. Join Bebé and Perrito as they snack on arepa con chocolate, visit the market, dance cumbia, and count whales in the waves. Colombian author Alexandra Alessandri and illustrator Manu Montoya draw on their personal experiences to create this vibrant board book as part of the “Our World” series for very young readers.

Nǐ hǎo! Let's spend a day in China! Fly kites in the square, buy sweet lychee at the market and go paddle boating at the lake. Author Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrator Jam Dong draw on their personal experiences growing up in China to create this appealing board book as part of the Our World Series for very young readers. Joining the Our World series for very young readers, this appealing board book about daily life in China was created by a Chinese author and illustrator. Songju Ma Daemicke, a former software engineer, grew up in Jilin, China. Today, she is an award-winning children's book author and lives in Bentonville, Arkansas, USA. She loves taking her daughters to visit her siblings in China, enjoying Tai Chi, flying kites and eating all kinds of delicious dumplings. Jam Dong is an illustrator and picture book author, who has been recognized by many influential awards around the world. Her works have been selected by the Bologna Children's Book Fair in 2020, 2021 and 2022. She was born and raised in Shanghai, China, and is currently based in Boston, USA. Nǐ hǎo! Let's spend a day in China! Fly kites in the square, snack on dim sum and visit pandas and tigers at the zoo. Author Songju Ma Daemicke and illustrator Jam Dong draw on their personal experiences living in China to create this appealing board book for very young readers.

Slava Ukraini! Let's spend a day in Ukraine. Paint eggs, picnic in the park surrounded by paper angels, and take a trip to the river. Ukrainian author Kateryna Yehorushkina and illustrator Olga Shtonda draw on their personal experiences to create this touching board book as part of the “Our World” series for very young readers.

"This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting" – School Library Journal Subah bakhair! Come along for a day in Pakistan. Choose a salwar kameez, ride the driverless train, and taste sweet and sour falsa. Pakistani author Bilal and Pakistani Palestinian illustrator Riaz draw on their personal experiences to create this board book, which includes educational endnotes, as part of the Our World series for very young readers. Joining the Our World series, this board book with endnotes about life in Pakistan was created by a Pakistani author and illustrator team. "A sweet, cozy, and authentic story of a day in a little one's life in my beautiful country of Pakistan! Vibrant illustrations paired with Urdu phrases make this one appealing for all ages" – Reem Faruqi, award-winning author of Lailah's Lunchbox "Beautiful and heartwarming board book filled with vibrant colors and memorable details" – Aya Khalil, award-winning author of The Arabic Quilt "Engaging and delightful!" – Marzieh Abbas, author of A Dupatta Is . . . Rumaisa Bilal is a Pakistani Canadian homeschooling mother who has paused her computer science degree in order to write books for children. She currently lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, three kids, and their grandparents. Nez Riaz grew up with her little brother in Boston to a Pakistani father and Palestinian mother. She now lives in Virginia, USA with her shih tzu named Mowgli and works as an illustrator. She loves pineapple pizza and monkeys are her absolute favorite animal! Nez has also illustrated My Name is Bana by Bana Alabed and Zain's Super Friday by Hena Khan. Subah bikhair! Spend a day in Pakistan starting with prayers at sunrise, then enjoying flaky paratha and creamy lassi before a trip to the market by train.

Let's spend a day in Australia! Fish at a secret fishing spot, surf at the beach and play backyard cricket before enjoying a treat at the night market. Wadjiginy author Maree McCarthy Yoelu and Australian illustrator Sophie Beer draw on their experiences living in Australia to create this appealing board book as part of the Our World series for very young readers. Wadjiginy author and Australian illustrator add this board book about daily life in Australia to the Our World series for very young readers. Maree McCarthy Yoelu is a Wadjiginy woman who lives in Darwin, Australia. Maree's earliest memories of visiting Wadjiginy country involve going hunting with her aunties for bush tucker and collecting seashells on the beach. Maree works in radio and writes stories connected to her language and culture. Sophie Beer is an award-winning illustrator/author living in Brisbane, Australia. She has worked for clients such as Penguin New York, Simon and Schuster, Google, Disney, Hardie Grant and many more. When she's not illustrating and writing, she thinks a lot about plants, animals, music, books and equality. Let's spend a day in Australia! Let's spend a day in Australia! Eat damper for breakfast, collect bush food, swim in the creek and sing songs by the fire. Wadjiginy author Maree Yoelu and Australian illustrator Sophie Beer draw on their experiences living in Australia to create this appealing board book for very young readers.

"This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting" – School Library Journal ¡Buenos días! Come along for a day in Cuba. Take la guaga to the beach, play los escondidos in the park, and snack on bumpy anones. Cuban author Jennings and illustrator Linares draw on their lived experience to create this playful board book, which includes simple educational endnotes, as part of the Our World series for very young readers. Joining the Our World series, this board book with endnotes about life in Cuba was created by a Cuban author and illustrator team. Terry Catasús Jennings, a Cuban American writer, immigrated to the United States at age twelve after her father was jailed in Cuba by Castro's government. Her goal in life is to lead us to embrace our common humanity (and sing the praises of Cuban food!). Marla Cruz Linares is a Cuban illustrator and graphic designer who divides her life between Cuba, Portugal, and Italy. She is passionate about editorial design and the many possibilities that illustration has in any type of project. She can be found outside enjoying nature or trying to find equilibrium on her yoga mat. ¡Buenos días! Spend a day in Cuba splashing at la playa, playing los escondidos at the park, and snacking on yummy mameyes and anones.

"This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting" – School Library Journal Hello! Come along for a day in England. Eat a full English breakfast, watch the horses grazing from the train, and picnic and play cricket in the heath. • Part of the Barefoot Books Our World series • Part of the Barefoot Books America 250 collection • Written by British author and illustrator Sumana Seeboruth and Ella Hobbis • Extended endmatter offers a further glimpse into life in England Joining the Our World series for very young readers, this board book with endnotes about daily life in England was created by an English author and illustrator. Sumana Seeboruth writes books inspired by the natural world and her two young children. A night owl, she is most likely to be found writing when her husband and children are fast asleep. She loves music and a noisy, happy house! Sumana is based in London, UK. Ella Hobbis is a Sussex based Illustrator whose heart lies in creating art for children. She grew up surrounded by art and immersed herself in stories that stayed with her well into adulthood. Her style is influenced by strong shapes, texture, and emotion. Ella draws with passion and imagination to create memorable picture books that will inspire and delight young readers. Hello! Spend a day in England eating a full English breakfast, picnicking and playing cricket in the heath, and watching the birds, bees, and butterflies.

Selam! It's a beautiful day in Ethiopia with Babi (Daddy). Have a breakfast of spicy chechebsa together, ride horses in the park and gather around the mesob for dinner. Ethiopian author Fitsum Tesfaye Habtemariam and illustrator Netsanet Tesfay draw on their personal experiences of life in Ethiopia to create this sweet board book as part of the Our World series for very young readers. Ethiopian author and illustrator add this sweet board book about daily life in Ethiopia to the Our World series for very young readers. Fitsum Tesfaye Habtemariam grew up in Ethiopia and raised his children in the bustling city of Addis Ababa. He works in the communications field to contribute to the world's Sustainable Development Goals. Fitsum loves to travel and has been to over 30 countries. He lives outside of Washington, D.C. with his family. Netsanet (Net) Tesfay is an illustrator and a graphic designer who lives with her husband and two young children in northern California, USA. She is a native of Ethiopia. Her colorful and whimsical art is influenced by her heritage and rich Ethiopian culture. Selam! Enjoy a day in the bustling city of Addis Ababa with a child and her babi. We'll gallop through the park on horseback, enjoy tasty enjera around the mesob, and read Teret Teret before bed. Both author and illustrator draw on their lived experience in Ethiopia to create this charming board book.

Let's explore Greece! See the ducks at Zappeion Gardens, discover what the farmers are selling at Laiki (open market), and taste sweet, fluffy loukoumades. Author Agatha Rodi and illustrator Fotini Tikkou draw on their personal experiences living in Greece to create this appealing board book as part of the Our World Series for very young readers. Greek author and illustrator add this appealing board book about daily life in Greece to the Our World series for very young readers. Agatha Rodi was born in Patras, Greece where she still lives today. She's an educator, bilingual children's book author and the founder of Weaving Waves Publications. Agatha serves as the policymaker for the nonprofit organization Kimolistes, which serves the Greek island of Kimolos. She is the Ambassador to Greece for Multicultural Childrens Book Day in the US and International Read to Me Day in Australia. Fotini Tikkou was born in Athens, Greece and graduated from the Athens School of Fine Arts in 2009 and has been working as a freelance illustrator ever since. She works in a variety of media, including gouache, water-based paints, pencils and ceramics. Fotini is a lover of pattern, texture and color and enjoys exploring new techniques and materials to develop her style. Kalimera! Enjoy a bustling day in Athens through the eyes of a little one. Sample Yiayia's cooking, stroll the market and take in the sights until it's time for kalinikta. Both author and illustrator draw on their lived experience to create this inviting look at Greek daily life.

"This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting" – School Library Journal Mbote! Betuabu! Jambo! Come along for a day in DR Congo. Count the fish at the market, watch the cheeky bonobos, and finish the day with a story. Congolese author Nyoko and illustrator Avelino draw on their lived experiences to create this playful board book, which features educational endnotes, as part of the Our World series for very young readers Joining the Our World series, this board book with endnotes about life in DR Congo was created by a Congolese author and illustrator team. Mel Nyoko is a British Congolese writer and poet who loves to travel around the world and has a passion for storytelling. Her debut children's picture book, For Our Daughters, was inspired by her own childhood. She lives in London with her husband. Joelle Avelino is a Congolese and Angolan Illustrator who grew up in the United Kingdom. Joelle worked on author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's debut picture book Mama's Sleeping Scarf, and also collaborated with Dapo Adeola to create Hey You! An Empowering Celebration Of Growing Up Black, winner of the British Book Awards Illustrated Book of the Year.

Float through the cherry blossoms, snack at the market and watch the stars twinkle following a day in Japan. With text and artwork developed especially for babies, author Emily Satako Seo and illustrator Aunyarat Watanabe draw on personal experience of life in Japan to create this appealing board book for young readers. "As an age-appropriate visual guide offering a few Japanese phrases alongside the English narrative, this book presents scenes of daily life that tidily fit within a framework of characteristic associations with Japan" – Kirkus Reviews Emily Satoko Seo, a Japanese Canadian chemist turned children's book author, writes about food, culture, science and nature. She currently lives in Vancouver, Canada with her husband and two young children. Aunyarat Watanabe is a Japanese illustrator who loves to explore imaginary worlds and to express her inner child through art. Creating fun content for kids is her passion. She lives and works in Tokyo, Japan with her pet caterpillars.

It's time for a day in Italy. We'll play a game of soccer, enjoy paninis and gelato, and have fun until it's time for buonanotte. Italian author Francesca Di Marzo and illustrator Naida Mazzenga draw on their lived experiences in Italy to create an authentic picture of modern Italian life as part of the Our World Series for very young readers. Italian author and illustrator add this appealing board book about daily life in Italy to the Our World series for very young readers Francesca Di Marzo was born and raised in Rome, Italy. She is an art historian whose thesis focused on the Renaissance painter Raphael. She worked in several contemporary art museums in Europe as art educator, with a particular propensity for school-age children and teenagers. Since 2011 she has been a tour guide in her hometown and specializes in family tours. In 2016, became the co-founder of a children's bookshop in a suburb of Rome. Naida Mazzenga is an Italian freelance illustrator. After graduating from ISIAU (IT) and an Erasmus at Escola Massana (BCN), she settled in Barcelona, where she currently lives and works. Naida loves to travel and get lost, seeing new worlds and learning about new perspectives.

Spend a day in Mexico with a baby and their family, from huevos in the morning to settling down for dulces sueños at night. Mexican author Cynthia Harmony and illustrator Claudia Navarro draw on their lived experiences in Mexico to create an authentic picture of modern Mexican life as part of the Our World Series for very young readers. Mexican author and illustrator add this appealing board book about daily life in Mexico to the Our World series for very young readers. "The day-in-the-life continues with a bus to school, the class, a museum, and later on dinner and bedtime! What a sweet way to visit Mexico! . . . A charming way to enjoy tiled streets, sunny sidewalks, and domestic scenes, and to take on new vocabulary" – School Library Journal Cynthia Harmony is an author and educational psychologist, originally from Mexico City. She has published for the educational market and was awarded the 2020 "We Need Diverse Books" Mentorship. Her picture books MI CIUDAD SINGS (2022) and FLICKER OF HOPE (2023) will be released simultaneously in English and Spanish by Penguin Young Readers. When not writing, Cynthia can be found in a museum with her kids, dancing to a Latin beat, daydreaming of tacos, or planning her next family trip. Claudia Navarro studied at the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas UNAM in Mexico City, and has illustrated for clients around the world. She has also illustrated La Frontera, Dance Like a Leaf and Dinner on Domingos for Barefoot Books. Claudia lives in Mexico City, Mexico.

Habari! Spend a day in Kenya savoring fluffy mandazis, counting the colorful mabati roofs, and playing a game of kati kati. Author Maïmouna Jallow and illustrator Lulu Kitololo draw on their personal experiences of Kenya to create this vibrant board book as part of the “Our World” series for very young readers.

"This series offers solid glimpses of faraway places, more poetry than a tour guide . . . evocative and inviting" – School Library Journal Hello! Come along for a day in the United States. Enjoy a hearty Southern breakfast, play a pickup game of hoops in Pennsylvania, and fall asleep under the estrellas in California with eight different characters from a wide variety of backgrounds across the country. Even learn words in from several of the most spoken spoken languages in the USA with pronunciation guides throughout the story. • Part of the Barefoot Books Our World series • Part of the Barefoot Books America 250 collection • Written by American author and illustrator Joëlle Retener and Sarah Walsh • Extended endmatter offers a further glimpse into life in the United States Joining the Our World series for very young readers, this board book with endnotes about daily life across the USA was created by an American author and illustrator. Joëlle Retener (they/them) is a Kreyol American children's author from the Washington, DC, metro area. A proud Spelman College graduate, Joëlle is passionate about sharing stories that celebrate Black pride and Queer joy. When they are not writing, you can find them gardening or tending to their small homestead. Joëlle lives in a cabin in the woods with their partner and three tiny humans. Sarah Walsh (she/her) has spent the last two decades creating children's book illustrations, large paintings, pattern design, hand lettering, and much more. Sarah received her BFA in Graphic Design in upstate New York where she grew up. She currently lives in Kansas City with her partner, their son, and various pets. She works from her sunny and plant-filled studio nearby. To find out more, see SarahWalshMakesThings.com. Hello! Let's spend a day in the USA!

Maidin! Come along for a sunny (then rainy!) day in Ireland. Count sheep on the farm, practice hurling, and make a wish on a rainbow. Irish author Muireann Ní Chíobháin and illustrator Fuchsia MacAree draw on their personal experiences to create this sweet board book as part of the “Our World” series for very young readers.

Come along for a day in India! Wake to a myna bird's song, dine on dal, count mango trees and more. Author Meera Sriram (A Gift for Amma, Dumpling Day) and illustrator Neethi draw on their personal experience of life in India to create this appealing board book as part of the Our World Series for very young readers. Indian author and illustrator add this appealing board book about daily life in India to the Our World series for very young readers. "Within this one board book, children will have a sense of the clothing, jewelry, sights, and sounds of another country, vividly evoked by paintings and in language, and stamped with the love of the families shown" – School Library Journal Meera Sriram grew up in Chennai, India and moved to the U.S in 1999. An engineer in the past, she now enjoys writing, leading early literacy programs and advocating for diverse bookshelves. She has also written A Gift for Amma and Dumpling Day for Barefoot Books, and contributed a story to Water: A Deep Dive of Discovery. Learn more at www.meerasriram.com. Neethi is an illustrator and muralist based out of Bangalore, India. Bright pattern-infused scenes, with a touch of fantasy, are a recurring theme in her work. She once won first place for her rendition of "The Monkey and the Cap Seller" in kindergarten. Neethi has an irrational fear of ellipses. For more information, visit www.neethi.co.in.

Come along for a day of exploring the sights and sounds of Argentina from morning light to city night. Snack on medialunas, count the stalls at la feria and ride the caballito on the carousel. Argentinian author and illustrator Aixa Pérez-Prado and Mariana Ruiz Johnson (Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Run Little Chaski, The Last Hazlenut) draw on their lived experiences in Argentina to create an authentic picture of modern Argentinian life as part of the Our World series for very young readers. Argentinian author and illustrator add this appealing board book about daily life in Argentina to the Our World series for very young readers. Aixa Pérez-Prado is a storyteller and university professor from Argentina who writes books that explore identity, belonging and bilingualism with heart and humor. Aixa writes and translates in Spanish, English and Portuguese. She is the author and illustrator of City Feet and Mercedes Sosa: Voice of the People. Mariana Ruiz Johnson is an award-winning children's book illustrator and author who lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She teaches illustration at the University of Buenos Aires, and is constantly exploring new techniques and ways of narrating with images. Her projects with Barefoot Books include Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes and Run, Little Chaski! which was chosen by the Library of Congress as a Great Reads Selection in 2022 Come along for a day of exploring the sights and sounds of Argentina from morning light to city night. Snack on medialunas, count the stalls at la feria and ride the caballito on the carousel.