As a teacher who has enjoyed reading with children for many years, children’s books have become more than tools or a compulsory aspect of teaching—they’re part of my lifestyle. Watching young readers light up with excitement over a story brings me so much joy. Books help them stretch their imagination and explore a world of endless possibilities. Through fiction, children begin to understand real-world concepts in meaningful and memorable ways.

Watching them make connections, infer meaning, and discuss stories has also been a learning process for me. They often arrive at the quirkiest conclusions—and many times, those insights leave me wide-eyed and wiser.

Discovering a Book That Travels the World

While preparing to teach a very diverse group of children about the many communities represented in our classroom, I searched for a book that could spark both connection and conversation. That’s when I found A Ticket Around the World by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens at my local library—and it was exactly what I needed.

This beautiful picture book explores the journey of a young boy as he travels to different countries and documents his experiences. Each stop is introduced as a visit to a friend’s home, using friendship as a lens to showcase culture, belonging, and diversity.

The illustrations are colourful and detailed, providing bright pictures of food, weather, clothing, language, and iconic cities or landmarks in each country. The content is rich but accessible, making it suitable for early learners while still offering plenty for discussion and discovery.

Why I Recommend This Book

1. Simple and engaging language: Perfect for vocabulary development and classroom read-alouds.
2. Cultural insights: From local foods to historical facts (like Greece hosting the first Olympic Games over 2,000 years ago), each page invites curiosity.
3. Visual storytelling: The colorful illustrations clearly support the text and draw children into each country’s unique world.
4. Global friendship theme: Framing each visit as a trip to see a friend reinforces the message that friendship transcends borders and backgrounds.
5. Ideal for diverse classrooms: It encourages students to see their cultures reflected in stories—and to appreciate cultures different from their own.

Whether you’re a teacher with a multicultural classroom or a parent looking to expand your child’s understanding of the world, A Ticket Around the World is an excellent choice. It’s fun, educational, and beautifully written. Most importantly, it fosters a sense of curiosity, respect, and belonging in young readers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is a 5-star read for me!