To call Homa Tavangar a citizen of the world would be a bit of an understatement.  She's spent more than 20 years traveling around the world, helping governments and companies succeed in a global economy, and to date, she's lived in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the United States.  In particular, a business trip to China shortly after 9/11 made her acutely aware of the fact that it's typical in many countries for children to grow up with a broad global view and an interest in the world beyond what they know.  Inspired by her observations, she set about a six-year research project and initiated thousands of conversations that resulted in a fantastic book: Growing Up Global ($16).

Receiving praise from pretty much every major media outlet in the U.S. -- and for good reason -- Growing Up Global has also caught the attention of luminaries ranging from famed anthropologist Jane Goodall to The Office actor Rainn Wilson, who tweeted about his love of the guide.  Goodall said: "Learning about the customs and culture of others around the globe enriches our lives so much and can only lead to better understanding and cooperation for generations to come."

The book's concept is simple and highly functional.  It acts as a toolbox full of ideas for parents and educators, encouraging them to start with what kids love -- sports, games, music, books and movies -- and expand from there into learning words, greetings, foods, and so on from other places.  The coolest part?  Everything in the book is presented with a modest budget in mind. To put it succinctly, Tavangar explains: "You don't need a Ph.D. in international relations, and you don't need to purchase plane tickets to experience the world and feel at home in it."

Take your kids on a global adventure with this phenomenal book... but promise to send us a postcard, okay?