World cultures gifts

Pachinko is a gripping, multi-generational saga that traverses the complex history and landscape of Korea and Japan. The novel begins in Yeongdo, Korea, in 1911, where a humble fisherman with a clubfoot and cleft palate marries a young teenage girl. Despite their hardships, they find joy in the birth of their beloved daughter, Sunja. Sunja's life takes an unexpected turn...

The Covenant of Water is Oprah's Book Club Pick and an instant New York Times bestseller. It is also the subject of a six-part Super Soul podcast series hosted by Oprah Winfrey and is one of Barack Obama's best books of 2023. The book is the winner of the Viking Award for Fiction with a Sense of Place. "One of...

Collins Children’s World Wall Map is a beautifully illustrated wall map designed for inquisitive kids. This colourful illustrated map of the world is a bestseller, perfect for taking children on a journey of discovery around the countries of the world. The mapping is up-to-date, colourful, and highly informative, displaying countries and capital cities. Stunning illustrations are used to depict themes...

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is a profoundly affecting tale about friendship, betrayal, and the quest for redemption. Set against the changing backdrop of Afghanistan from the 1970s to the early 2000s, the novel tells the story of Amir, a young boy from a wealthy family, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father’s servant. Their friendship is one forged...

A young whale searches for the whale rider's heir and a teenager takes an epic voyage to Antarctica with a fleet of waka hourua to claim his lost inheritance, in this breathtaking return to the world of global hit The Whale Rider, over thirty years on. From the internationally acclaimed author of The Whale Rider comes a novel about the...

An unforgettable debut novel about the journey of three women and one extremely endangered snail through contemporary Ukraine. Brilliant ... funny and smart, full of science, longing and adventure, all the while reminding us what the world stands to lose, and what it has already lost. This is essential reading' ANN PATCHETT A fantastic novel PERCIVAL EVERETT Heartbreaking, hilarious, profound,...

The hilarious number one bestselling memoir from YouTube sensation Chris Broad, a Brit trying to assimilate into life in Japan as he unravels the wonders and eccentricities of one of the world's most mysterious cultures. When Englishman Chris Broad landed in a rural village in northern Japan, he wondered if he'd made a huge mistake. With no knowledge of the...

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is a captivating and evocative tale narrated by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fervent evangelical Baptist. Embarking on a perilous missionary journey, Nathan relocates his family from their comfortable life in Georgia to the remote wilderness of the Belgian Congo in 1959. As the Price family navigates their new environment,...

Young explorers can travel the world with this 10” interactive learning globe. Using the stylus, children will experience new places, languages, cultures, animals, geography, habitats and more through high-quality BBC videos on a 2.8” screen. Animations and live-action videos fully immerse kids in the curriculum to provide a better understanding of the world through more than five hours of videos....

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa See, “one of those special writers capable of delivering both poetry and plot” (The New York Times Book Review), a moving novel about tradition, tea farming, and the bonds between mothers and daughters. In their remote mountain village, Li-yan and her family align their lives around the seasons and the farming of...

Take a hands-on tour of our amazing planet in this interactive world atlas for young kids that explores all 7 continents and 5 oceans that make up the Earth. Packed with vibrant illustrations, 40 lift-the-flaps, and tons of wow-factor facts; readers will even discover a giant pull-out map and fun search-and-find games. Let the adventure begin! Did you know there...

Bringing planet earth to life, this colourful and fun addition to Lonely Planet Kids takes you on a trip around the world that you'll never forget. Filled with continental and regional maps, lively text, an entry for every country on the planet, plus mind-blowing facts, and an emphasis on the species that live on our planet, this is an essential...

Take a photographic journey through every country in the world with this beautiful paperback edition of our global bestseller that makes the perfect coffee table book. Discover a bounty of breathtaking images on every page; find fun little-known facts; and learn more about the lives and landscapes of those we share our fascinating planet with. Sail on slow boats through...

The dying wish of 16-year-old Lina's mother was for her daughter to live in Tuscany and get to know her father, whom Lina has never met. Howard is the best man I've ever known, her mother says, he'll keep you safe. Why did her mother wait so long to tell her about him? Lina has a happy life in Seattle...

The 50th anniversary of a classic Richard Scarry picture book! Travel the world thanks to the one and only Richard Scarry! Little explorers can travel the world thanks to Richard Scarry! With 33 stories featuring fun-filled stops in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Egypt, Australia, and more, this worldwide adventure of discovery will have children ready to pack their bags and...

This interactive and colourful atlas takes young readers on a hands-on journey all around the world. Each page turned brings a new continent to life with a total of more than 100 flaps to lift, beautifully detailed illustrations, and fun facts about different cultures, species of wildlife, and places to visit along the way. Written by Kate Baker and accompanied...

The eagerly anticipated follow-up to Homemade Happiness, Everyday Delicious and At My Table, Scrumptious by Chelsea Winter is a treasure trove for home cooks and food enthusiasts alike. This delightful cookbook overflows with more than 90 delicious recipes that promise to tantalise your taste buds and bring joy to your kitchen. Winter, known for her approachable cooking style, has created...

Sticker Dolly Dressing Around the World showcases fashions and festivals from across the globe today. Help dress the girl and boy dolls in stunning traditional costumes for festivals and ceremonies worldwide. Experience the beauty of silk saris at an Indian wedding, the vibrant colours of flamenco dresses in Spain, the lively atmosphere of a Mexican carnival, and the cultural richness...

Get ready for a journey through every country in the world. In this fourth edition of The Travel Book, each country features an all-new profile that includes details of when to visit, what to see and do, and how to learn more about the country’s culture through its film, music, food, and drink. All brand-new, incredible photography illustrates each country,...

A violent secret that hides beneath the streets of Istanbul threatens the peace of two interwoven families. One rainy afternoon in Istanbul, a woman walks into a doctor's surgery. "I want an abortion," she announces. She is nineteen years old and unmarried. What happens that afternoon is to change her life and the lives of everyone around her. Twenty years...

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins is a harrowing tale of survival and resilience that explores the profound lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her child. This captivating novel opens with Lydia Perez, a contented bookstore owner in Acapulco, Mexico, who finds her life irrevocably shattered when her husband, a brave journalist, falls victim to a drug...

The ultimate snapshot of every country in the world featuring new local insights from travel experts and the top experiences for each destination. Spot wildlife in Australia's lush green Daintree Rainforest; tour Japan's exquisite temples in Kyoto; discover Gaudi masterpieces in Spain's buzzing Barcelona. Get to know the amazing countries that populate our planet and start planning your next big...

Get ready for an epic adventure like no other with our awesome series of kid's travel guides featuring the most amazing countries around the world. Japan, here we come! Did you know that Japan is home to super-fast bullet trains, or that there's a museum where you can experience being a samurai or ninja, or that you can climb giant...

A gorgeously crafted book within a book about literature, purpose, and what it is to belong by the much-loved author of The Cat and The City. A completely heartwarming novel about the power of books and connection between generations, perfect for fans of The Lost Bookshop. From the author of The Cat and The City, a BBC Radio 2 Book...

A captivating, polyphonic novel of one family's flight from and return to Iran. The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran begins in 1979. Behsad, a young communist revolutionary, fights with his friends for a new order after the Shah's expulsion. He tells of sparking hope, of clandestine political actions, and of how he finds the love of his life in the...

HarperCollins is proud to present its range of best-loved, essential classics. The reaches opened before us and closed behind, as if the forest had stepped leisurely across the water to bar the way for our return. We penetrated deeper and deeper into the heart of darkness. When Charles Marlow agrees to captain a steamer up the Congo in search of...

Explore over 70 countries and cultures around the world in this globetrotting activity and sticker book. Race camels through the Algerian desert, spot the difference between Bangladeshi rickshaw drivers, unscramble anagrams to name the US presidents on Mount Rushmore, and even perform the haka with the New Zealand rugby team. Your adventure begins on Baffin Island in northern Canada, where...

Read this book - the micro-history you didn't know you needed, even if you don't like feijoa! Liv Sisson, author of Fungi Inspired by a personal obsession with this singular exotic fruit, Feijoa is a sweeping, global tale about the dance between people and plants - how we need each other, how we change each other, and the surprising ways...

Born in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, little six-year-old Peekay learns that small can beat big. Armed with this knowledge, he resolves to take on the injustices of his country and sets his heart on becoming the welterweight champion of the world. Peekay starts to take boxing lessons, makes new friends, collects cacti, and plays the piano....

A gripping story of love and rivalry from the internationally bestselling author of The Lavender Keeper. MILLION COPY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Charismatic womaniser Jack Bryant has the world at his feet, but when trouble catches up with him, he's forced to flee Penzance for good. Honest Ned Sinclair is on a family adventure in Rangoon when he is dealt a bitter...

A junior novelisation that retells Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters! Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are the world-famous girl group HUNTR/X. When they aren’t selling out stadiums, they protect the world from a force of powerful demons that have threatened the world for centuries. But have they met their match with the arrival of Saja Boys, an infuriatingly cute boy band who...

A perfect summer read from bestselling author Erin Palmisano, set in a lush vineyard in Argentina and featuring her trademark warmth and romance. A secret inheritance. A lost vineyard. A love story that refused to fade. Victoria Bishop always knew she was adopted - but just as she is shattered by the news that her fiancé is leaving her, a...

This stunning atlas takes the young reader on the ultimate round-the-world trip. From the frozen Arctic to the blazing hot deserts of the Sahara, take a trip across the globe with this illustrated world atlas. This illustrated atlas not only portrays regions, such as the Siberian wastes, with beautifully detailed maps but also describes the peoples who live there. Fascinating...

When a boy finds a sealskin in a cave, he unlocks an ancient spell that tips him into a terrifying adventure... an award-winning novel for tweens that inspired the Sky NZ Originals TV series! Selkie mythology meets Wellington's rugged, windswept south coast in this spine-tingling adventure novel, which won the 2013 Esther Glen Medal for Junior Fiction. Now a Sky...

Jenny’s never had much time for boys, K-pop, or really anything besides her dream of being a professional cellist. But when she finds herself falling for a K-pop idol, she has to decide whether their love is worth the risk. A modern forbidden romance wrapped in the glamorous and exclusive world of K-pop, XOXO is perfect for fans of Jenny...

A joyous exploration of the cultural phenomenon that created Mario, Zelda and Pokémon, and an ode to our love of gaming, by one of the most trusted voices in video games writing. 'Among the best things ever written about Nintendo.' TOM BISSELL, author of Extra Lives: Why Video Games Matter 'This is cultural history at its most generous: Nintendo not...

Chiara Terzuolo takes us on a journey through Tokyo and its surrounding cities, uncovering the hidden treasures that lie beneath the well-trodden hustle and bustle of one of the world’s most-travelled destinations. From tucked-away bars to quirky vending machines, themed walks to secret tea houses, Hidden Japan is your guide to the art of wandering off the beaten path. With...

Count along in celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, in this luminous picture book from bestselling mother-son duo Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal. Count up to ten and back down again to the tune of “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe” while learning about the traditions that make Diwali a fun-filled festival! Celebrated during the autumn harvest, Diwali symbolizes the...

1932, Minnesota—the Lincoln School is a pitiless place where hundreds of Native American children, forcibly separated from their parents, are sent to be educated. It is also home to an orphan named Odie O'Banion, a lively boy whose exploits earn him the superintendent’s wrath. Forced to flee, he and his brother Albert, their best friend Mose, and a brokenhearted little...

From Brazil to Antarctica to Zimbabwe, travel all the way around the globe, learning fascinating facts at every stop! Visit 10 diverse locations to learn about history, culture, and natural wonders, and hear how to pronounce them, too! 30 sound buttons bring the pages to life. At each location, the reader presses sound buttons to hear the name of the...

The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad offers a compelling and intimate portrait of life in Afghanistan during the early 2000s. Set against the backdrop of a nation struggling to rebuild itself after years of conflict and repression, the book dives deep into the life of Sultan Khan, a devoted bookseller who has risked it all to keep literature alive...

Invitation to a Banquet by Fuchsia Dunlop brings readers on an epic culinary journey through China's rich and sophisticated gastronomic culture. This book is not merely a collection of recipes; it is a deep exploration of the historical, philosophical, and technical aspects of Chinese cuisine, intricately woven together through the lens of thirty iconic dishes. Each chapter delves into a...

Distinguished educator and translator Tauanu'u Perenise Tapu Sitagata joins with artist Ani Huia Ligaliga to present the ‘ava ceremony, one of the key customs to welcome visitors to a village in Samoa. Drawing on his deep knowledge of fa'asamoa (the Samoan Way), Tauanu'u explains the role of ‘ava (kava, as it is more widely known) in ceremonies and welcomes for...

This fascinating look at Matariki in New Zealand and around the world is now retold in te reo Māori. The Matariki constellation (or Pleiades) is known by many different names and is seen and celebrated by many cultures around the world. This beautifully illustrated book features 18 stories: 9 of which highlight the Māori Matariki stars, while the others reference...

Lonely Planet's Journey Camino de Santiago: the Camino Frances brings you closer to the culture and history of one of the world's great adventures. Hike past rolling vineyards, spot wild flora and fauna, and savour local dishes using our expert travel writers, detailed maps, and insightful tips, ensuring you never miss a moment of this bucket-list trip. Lonely Planet's Journey...

In this board book edition of a picture book classic, a delightful surprise colourfully unfolds when a little girl called Handa puts seven delicious fruits in a basket to take to her friend. A beautiful board book edition of a bestselling modern classic, this is the story of Handa, who's part of the Luo tribe in south-west Kenya. Handa decides...

In New York Times bestselling author Alka Joshi’s new novel, henna artist Lakshmi arranges for her protégé, Malik, to intern at the Jaipur palace in a tale rich in character, atmosphere, intrigue and lavish storytelling. Malik, now twenty and finished with his private school education, has just met a young woman named Nimmi when he leaves to apprentice at the...

WINNER 2026 INDIE BOOK AWARDS FOR NON-FICTION 'In my brief breath of life, might I find a way to fit light to paper?' In a land of ethereal beauty, within a culture soaked in myth, a young woman discovers the story that will change her life. In 2003, seventeen-year-old Australian exchange student Hannah Kent arrives at Keflavík Airport in the...

Discover 385 weird and wonderful sights and places around the globe - from eerie ghost towns to bizarre natural phenomena - that you never knew existed! Take a journey through the world's lesser-known marvels - like an island where cats outnumber people in Japan or ancient caves lit by glowworms in New Zealand - and experience some of the most...

An all-new edition of the tragicomic smash hit which stormed the New York Times bestseller charts, now featuring an introduction from Markus Zusak. In his first book for young adults, Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school. This heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully...

Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne is the author's most famous adventure, now available in a beautiful clothbound edition. One night at the Reform Club, Phileas Fogg makes a bold wager with his companions, claiming that he can travel across the globe in just eighty days. Breaking away from the well-established routine of his daily life, he...

Do you know where in the world you can buy drinkable gold; why an 'elephant's foot' is one of the most dangerous objects in the world; or where you might have to swim to school? Discover the answers to these questions and loads more mindblowing facts in The Cities Book, where readers aged 8+ are taken on an incredible world...

A follow-up to A Place Called Home, this beautifully illustrated lift-the-flap book, Lonely Planet Kids A Time to Celebrate, explores and celebrates different people, places, cultures, and traditions from across the world. Featuring eight festivals—at least one from each of the inhabited continents—this title provides a glimpse into diverse traditions, customs, and beliefs. By lifting the flaps and reading the...

Take a sneak peek inside homes from all around the world with this charming lift-the-flap book, written by Kate Baker and beautifully illustrated by Rebecca Green. From cosy wooden houses in snow-blanketed Greenland to traditional Maasai mud huts in East Africa, young children will discover different ways of living across the globe and get a unique glimpse into diverse cultures...

In The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin, readers are invited on an enthralling journey across the vast Australian continent. At the heart of the story lies the quest to uncover the deep-rooted traditions and cultural heritage of the Aboriginal Australians, primarily through their unique and mystical practice of 'songlines'. These invisible pathways span the length and breadth of Australia, acting as...

Twin Pack NZ 2 in 1 World & Flags Map New Edition by Hema Maps is a comprehensive and visually stunning map set designed for a variety of uses. This twin pack includes the New Zealand Aotearoa Large Wall Map and the World & Flags Large Wall Map, each offering unique features and specifications. The New Zealand Aotearoa Large Wall...

Created specifically for fans of Japanese 'cool culture,' A Geek in Japan is one of the most iconic, hip, and concise cultural guides available. Reinvented for the internet age, it is packed with personal essays and hundreds of photographs and presents all the touchstones of traditional and contemporary culture in an entirely new way. A Geek in Japan decodes the...

There is much fun to be had with this uniquely Kiwi version of a popular children's song. Lots of potential for actions that young children will adore performing as they sing along. Also includes lyrics in te reo Maori.

The Tuttle All About Asia series offers a journey to a new place—and ways to bring it to life. Dive into stories, try some crafts, play some games from Japan, learn some Japanese songs...it's the next best thing to being there! A book for families to treasure together, it offers not only the most important facts about Japan, but also...

Steinbeck's lyrical and moving novel, now in an elegant clothbound edition. The Pearl is Steinbeck's flawless parable about wealth and the evil it can bring. When Kino, an Indian pearl-diver, finds "the pearl of the world," he believes that his life will be magically transformed. He will marry Juana in church and their little boy, Coyotito, will be able to...

The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe is a genre-defining ride through the 1960s, published in Vintage Classics for the first time to mark its fiftieth anniversary. The book features an introduction by Jarvis Cocker. In the summer of 1964, author Ken Kesey and his Merry Band of Pranksters set out on an awesome social experiment like no other....

LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD 2021 LONGLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2021 'Inspiring' - The Guardian 'Excellent' - Runner's World 'Fascinating' - Publishers Weekly 'Brilliant' - Ed Vaizey 'Through reading this book you will come to understand that the heart and soul of running are to be found in Ethiopia.' - Haile Gebrselassie...

The captivating, heart-rending story of two women in 1800s China The Lotus Shoes is brilliant, masterful storytelling that's hard to put down and will stay with you for a very long time. – Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz Mesmerising. Jane Yang masterfully creates this 19th-century lost world. – The Times This story of love, loss, and betrayal...

See China in a whole new light. For several years, Luxembourgish photographer and travel journalist Annette Morheng has documented everyday life in the Middle Kingdom, a country where tradition and progress constantly collide. Gathered together in this vibrant new illustrated book, her pictures document Chinese people, villages, and hutongs; temples and skyscrapers; natural wonders and mega metropolises; the most remote...

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist, this sweeping novel of identity and self-discovery takes readers from 1937 Bombay to Istanbul, Prague, Florence, Paris and London to uncover the mystery behind a famous painter’s death. When renowned painter Mira Novak arrives at Wadia hospital in Bombay after a miscarriage, she’s expected to make a quick recovery....

An extraordinary story of love and hope from the bestselling, Man Booker-shortlisted author of The Reluctant Fundamentalist. This is Nadia. She is fiercely independent with an excellent sense of humour and a love of smoking alone on her balcony late at night. This is Saeed. He is sweet and shy and kind to strangers. He also has a balcony but...

Introduce children to the wonderful ways love is expressed in different cultures and countries across the globe. From gifting lunch boxes in Japan to adorning brides with beautiful henna designs in India, writing someone a loving poem on Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, or lighting a lantern on the Chinese New Year, Love Around The World shows the ways family and...

Lonely Planet's Borneo is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the region has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Dive with sea turtles on the Semporna Archipelago, visit the water village of Kampung Ayer, or hang with the orangutans at Tanjung Puting National Park; all with your trusted travel companion. Inside Lonely Planet's Borneo...

Richly illustrated with hundreds of colour photos, Japan Traveler's Companion delves beyond the gaze of traditional guidebooks to uncover the country's rich culinary traditions, pop culture, Samurai heritage, and much more. The book brings Japan to life, highlighting the most interesting places to visit in every region of the country. Author Rob Goss is an award-winning travel writer who has...

Originally published in Japanese as a call to preserve disappearing facets of Japan's rich and ancient culture, Hidden Japan takes its inspiration from the 1960s classic, Hidden Hamlets by Shirasu Masako. Like Shirasu, Alex Kerr travels to remote and lesser-known places around Japan where pockets of traditional culture can still be found. Some are faraway—like Aogashima Island, 200 miles south...

Winner of the Edward Stanford Travel Memoir of the Year 2020 In A Beginner's Guide to Japan, distinguished author Pico Iyer offers a captivating exploration of Japanese culture, delving into the subtle nuances and captivating contradictions that define this enigmatic country. Drawing from over three decades of intimate experience, Iyer takes readers on a journey from bustling urban centres to...

Natasha's Dance by Orlando Figes is an enthralling exploration of Russian culture and identity that spans centuries and geographical boundaries. The book intricately weaves a rich tapestry of stories and characters, illuminating the evolution of Russia from the splendour of 18th-century St Petersburg to the relentless drive of Stalinist propaganda. Through an evocative narrative, Figes brings to life an extraordinary...

Meet the real Japan and fall in love with its culture, customs, traditions and people in this illuminative exploration of one of the most extraordinary countries on the planet. Japan is a country full of surprising contrasts from its sacred Shinto shrines to its effervescent pop culture. Get to the heart of beloved rituals from slurping oodles of noodles, to...

The author takes the reader into rural Japan in the footsteps of the much-travelled poet Basho (1644-1694). Ranging far beyond the usual tourist traps, he explores easily accessible temples and shrines, delights in Japan’s unique regional cuisine and engages with interesting people.The result is a beautifully illustrated and absorbing essay on topics such as the place of Buddhism and Shintoism...

Coco tells the story of aspiring young musician, Miguel. When confronted with his family’s generations-old ban on music, Miguel finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead on a quest to find his great-great-grandfather, legendary singer Ernesto de la Cruz. On his fantastical adventure, he meets a new friend called Hector, and together, they uncover the secrets of his...

In 2010, the Human Rights Commission found that Asian people reported higher levels of discrimination than any other minority in New Zealand. Yet although anti-Asian prejudice has a long history in New Zealand, it is seldom publicly acknowledged. Old Asian, New Asian by K. Emma Ng shines light onto the persistence of anti-Asian sentiment in New Zealand. Her anecdotal account...

Find out how children live all around the world in this beautifully illustrated paperback book. Children all over the world are very different, but they also have much in common. In this beautifully illustrated book, young children can learn all about what people in other countries eat, wear, and play, and how they speak and celebrate. From breakfasts to birthdays,...