“It is not enough to simply teach children to read. We have to give them something worth reading. Something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.”

Katherine Paterson, Children’s Author

The stories we tell our children play an important role in shaping who they become. You can help your child become more aware of the diversity around them by introducing them to characters and cultures from stories told around the world.

The countries where ChildFund works are filled with stories, myths, legends and characters that have been passed down through generations. From traditional myths to allegories that will help your child understand the issues facing children around the world, we have selected these seven stories to give you a starting point for your child’s international bookcase.