Switzerland Country Profile, New Release Book Review, International Reggae Day, Canada Day, Independence Day, World Chocolate Day, Japan's Star Festival, Mongolia's Culture Festival, Bastille Day, Mandela Day: 67 Minutes of Service, International Day of Friendship

The stars have aligned. We are going to be in Switzerland for World Chocolate Day!

I'm looking forward to spending time with my sister and her husband, hiking in the Alps and eating lots of fondue and chocolate. I'll be sharing our adventures on Instagram, so be sure to follow along with us!

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Founder & CEO, Globe Trottin' Kids​

NEW COUNTRY PROFILE ON THE WEBSITE: SWITZERLAND​

Explore this small European country known for the Alps, chocolate, watchmaking, and more!

Our country profile pages include an infographic, detailed map, national symbols, photo gallery, informational video, recommended books, and learning activities.

NEW RELEASE BOOK REVIEW

My Name is Ai Lin by Maria Wen Adcock is a touching story about the power of names and the importance of cultural identity. When classmates struggle with her name, Ai Lin takes a brave stand and proudly shares its meaning and significance. This picture book is a wonderful read-aloud for classrooms, encouraging children to honor each other’s names and stories.

​Book Review & Activities​

​14 Summer Learning Activities for Kids, inspired by The Secret Mountain's musical picture books.

Learn how to count to 10 in Cree, explore how music expresses emotions, get to know African and Caribbean instruments like the valiha, sing along to "Jambo Bwana" and learn some Swahili words, improve French language skills, and more!

July National Days

🇨🇦 July 1 Canada Day​

🇺🇸 July 4 Independence Day, U.S.​

🇫🇷 July 14 Bastille Day, France​

July 1 International Reggae Day Introduce the sound of reggae music with Putumayo's Reggae Around the World.

July 7 World Chocolate Day

🍫 Read The Secret History of Chocolate - National Geographic Kids, article

Post-Reading Activities:

• Tasty Timeline - Students work together to build a giant chronological timeline on butcher paper, marking key dates and details like 3300 B.C. Mayo‑Chinchipe (South America), 1800 B.C. Olmec (Mesoamerica), 8th century AD (Mayan currency), 1500s (Aztecs & Cortés), 1847 (first chocolate bar), and late 1800s (conching).
• Ancient Chocolate "Lab" - Recreate the steps ancient people used: soak cacao nibs (or roasted cocoa nibs) in warm water, blend, add spices like chili, cinnamon or honey, and let kids taste a small sample.
• Chocolate Stories - Students write imaginative short stories set in different eras: a Maya cocoa farmer, an Olmec brewer, a 1500s Spanish explorer, or a modern chocolatier.
• Fair Trade Spotlight - Learn how cacao growing today can involve fair‑trade and ethical practices. Have students research a fair‑trade brand, then design a poster about why supporting fair trade matters.

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🍫 Read No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young

What does a capuchin monkey have in common with a pollen-sucking midge, an aphid-munching anole lizard, and brain-eating coffin fly maggots? Chocolate! Our favorite dessert comes from cocoa beans, which grow on cocoa trees in tropical rainforests. And those trees couldn’t survive without help from a menagerie of rainforest critters. This book tells their story.

Download the K-5 Teacher's Guide from Charlesbridge Publishing.​​

July 7 Tanabata Discover the legend and traditions of Japan's Star Festival. ​​​​

July 11-13 Naadam Discover the festival that showcases Mongolia's rich cultural heritage through its three main sports: wrestling, horse racing, and archery. Click here.​

July 18 Mandela Day: 67 Minutes of Service Join the global celebration of former South African president Nelson Mandela’s life and his contributions to peace and freedom. Learn more.​

July 20 International Chess Day Learn about Chess Benefits, Facts & Trivia.

July 30 International Friendship Day Established by the United Nations in 2011, this day encourages communities to foster mutual understanding, respect, and reconciliation. For teachers and parents, it offers an opportunity to teach children about the value of friendship, kindness, and empathy through fun and meaningful activities. Find suggested activities here.​

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