Books That Inspire Kids to Travel

One of the greatest things about reading to children is it opens up a whole new world to them, literally. Thinking and planning to travel isn’t just for mom and dad, but for kids too! There are many books available that will inspire kids to travel.  Here is a list of our favorites.

Younger Children

• Oh the Places You’ll Go Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss takes kids on a whimsical journey about life and the many places it will take them. In true Seuss fashion, kids will be left in awe with the clever verses and the intricate illustrations of things like a prickle-ly perch. Not only is this book fun for kids, but for the grownups reading to them as well.

• Good Night Our World Series by Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper

The Good Night Books series is designed to celebrate special places and subjects in a way that young children can easily relate to and enjoy with their families. Although several authors have been involved with the books over the years, we are focusing on Adam Gamble & Mark Jasper which include Good Night London, Good Night Ireland, Good Night England, Good Night Scotland & Good Night Carolina to name a few.

• My First Airplane Trip by DL Madson

This is a great book to read to children before they go on a plane ride. Knowing what to expect can make it all that much easier for kids. This book does a great job of doing that in a way that they can understand. It includes everything from checking in, flying and landing.

• Maisy Goes on Vacation Lucy Cousins

Maisy is back to take kids on an adventure in this travel inspired book. After she gets packed, Maisy sets off to the train station for a ride to the seashore. She is quite busy in this book as she colors on the train, eats a snack, collects seashells on the beach and builds sandcastles. She even talks about her excitement of getting to stay at a hotel overnight. Even if you aren’t taking your little one to the beach, this is a great book to read to get them prepared for a vacation.

• Berenstain Bears Around the World by Mike Berenstain

This book won’t be released until September 6, but a lot of people are already talking about it. The bears go on a journey in the Anywhere-Anyplace Machine. They visit many places throughout the world like China and Africa. After reading this book you will wish that you had one of these nifty machines!

• Hello World Series by Ashley Evanson

These books have beautiful, colorful illustrations of each place.  It does a great job of combining learning about the world and cities/counties in it, learning literacy, as well as about shapes and colors.  Originally there were 4 books, Hello Paris (a book of shapes,) Hello New York (a book of colors,) Hello London (a book of opposites,) and Hello San Fransisco (a book about numbers.)  Releasing this fall, there will be Hello Rio de Janeiro, (a book of sounds,) and Hello Tokyo (a book of senses.) 

Older Kids

• National Geographic Kids Ultimate US Road Trip Atlas

Need something to keep your kids from being bored while on the road? Get this book! This road trip atlas is filled with games, fun facts and interesting roadside attractions found throughout the world. This book will surely keep them entertained even on the longest of car rides!

• The Lonely Planet Kids Travel Book

Explore close to 200 countries with this book. Kids will not only get to see new destinations, but how different cultures live as well as what kinds of things they do and some of their favorite foods. It’s not all reading though as there are a ton of illustrations and photographs to view that are located throughout this book.

• The Enchanted Hat

The Enchanted Hat takes kids on a journey with a rather simple boy named David who has a mysterious hat. It takes him to some wild places including on a pirate ship and on many expeditions. It certainly is one epic adventure that even adults can appreciate.

• Gulliver’s Travels

This book has been a favorite among many generations. Lemeul Gulliver goes on four different voyages and readers get to see his struggles and triumphs along the way. He starts off as a giant observing tiny people, then as a tiny person being observed. Then he ends up on a flying island and finally to a place where horses are the rulers. This is one book that children simply can’t put down

• Paddington Abroad by Michael Bond

In this book Paddington gets the chance to prove he is a leader when the Browns put him in charge of the itinerary when they go to France. However, Paddington takes them on an unexpected adventure that proves to be one of the best trips they’ve ever had. This heartwarming book displays Paddington’s good intentions although they are sometimes misguided.

• Journey by Aaron Becker

The lonely little girl in this book uses a red marker to draw a magic door in her bedroom on the wall. This allows her to explore the world with her marker in hand. Throughout the book she draws everything from a balloon to a flying carpet to get from one destination to the other. The plot thickens as she is captured by an emperor and has to figure out how to get home.

• Are We There Yet by Dan Santat

Have you ever been on a long car ride and heard the dreaded words “Are we there yet”? Almost every parent has and that’s why this book is so popular. The main character of this book has to deal with time slowing down so much that it actually goes backwards and he experiences everything from pirates to dinosaurs. This book will keep kids engrossed as they wonder where this little boy will end up next.

If travel is not in your current budget, you can still perhaps visit nearby towns, a beach or local zoo to expose children to seeing the world.

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