I can’t tell you how many times my son and I read Where The Wild Things Are when he was little. From the time he was about 3 until he was school-age, it was one of our favorites. The idea that you could be in your bedroom one minute and on an action-packed adventure the next was the stuff of dreams, and my son, Javier, loved reading this book over and over again. In fact, he likes the book so much that during a recent clean-out of his room, I came across it and asked if we should give it away, so another little boy could enjoy the story, too. He jumped up and grabbed the book. “No way, Mom,” he said. “I love this book!” Then he plopped down on his bed and began to read it for the hundredth time.
It doesn’t matter that he’s about to turn 10, my son has a fondness for reading and traveling that probably started with books like this one. Books can take kids on adventures to places they’ve never been, whether it’s the Amazon or a dark forest where funny-looking creatures roam. Travel books can also provide a glimpse into the travel experience, whether it’s riding an airplane or leaving the comforts of home for the first time. Here are nine great travel books that are perfect for kids.
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- Smart Hacks for Traveling with Kids
9 Books That Will Help Prepare Your Kids for Traveling
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The Katie Series by James Mayhew
This long-running series about a girl who explores famous museum paintings by climbing inside them has been a favorite of kids and parents for more than a quarter century. From Katie Meets the Mona Lisa to Katie and the Impressionists to Katie in London and Katie in Scotland, the books are jam-packed with colorful illustrations that bring the stories to life. If you’re planning to visit museums on your next family vaca, this is a must.
Ages 3+
Photo: Amazon
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Paddington by Michael Bond
The debut of the movie in 2014 makes this loveable teddy bear a friendly face to kids, even if they’ve never read the book that inspired the film. This sweet story of how he made it from the woods to London’s Paddington Station to meet the Brown family that adopts him is as much about friendship as it is about the city that serves as his new playground.
Ages 3 to 7
Photo: Amazon
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Richard Scarry’s A Day at the Airport by Richard Scarry
If your kid is about to take his or her first airplane ride, this book is perfect. It tells the story of three pals who spend a day at the airport, checking out the control tower, the terminals, the runway, and more. Perfect for first-time fliers.
Ages 3 to 7
Photo: Amazon
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Charlie’s Superhero Underpants by Paul Bright
When Charlie’s fave underwear blows up in the laundry, he takes off on a whimsical world tour to find them. From the cobblestone streets of Paris to the wilds of the Serengeti, Charlie’s crazy story is told in the style of graphic novels with vivid imagery and detail. This one is great for kids who love superheroes.
Ages 3+
Photo: Barnes & Noble
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Next Stop Grand Central by Maira Kalman
Whether you’re off to New York City, home of the famed Grand Central Station, or your family is about to enjoy its first-ever train ride, this book is a great read. It’s about the myriad characters that make their way through the station each day on their way to all sorts of interesting places. Written by the artist whose murals can be found throughout the real Grand Central Station, the book is filled with colorful images that kids will love.
Ages 4 to 8
Photo: Amazon
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Spin the Globe: The Incredible Adventures of Frederick von Wigglebottom by Edward Moldenhauer
This book series stars Frederick, a boy who points his finger to a different destination on a globe in each book, unlocking stories about the people and places in various countries. From Australia to Norway and everything in between, Spin the Globe is a great way to introduce kids to the thrill of traveling to new places, especially if your plans call for a visit to a faraway land.
Ages 8+
Photo: Amazon
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Travels with Gannon & Wyatt by Patti Wheeler and Keith Hemstreet
From Africa to the South Pacific, real-life twin brothers, Gannon and Wyatt, have been traveling to the far corners of the globe since before they could walk. Along with their adventurer parents, their larger-than-life expeditions helped craft this action-packed series perfect for middle-grade students. The books educate kids about other people and cultures, whether describing what it’s like to climb a pyramid in Egypt, explore a tomb, or go dog sledding through the Arctic.
Ages 9 to 12
Photo: Travels with Gannon & Wyatt
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Lonely Planet’s Not for Parents Travel Book and Series
The folks behind some of the best-selling travel guides around created a series of books specifically designed for kids. Four city guides -- Paris, London, Rome and New York City -- as well as the Travel Book, a visual journey through every country in the world, are perfect for curious young minds with a taste for adventure. From the history to the food, the books rely on photos, illustrations, and cartoons as much as actual narratives to introduce kids to these dynamic destinations.
Ages 8+
Photo: Lonely Planet
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100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life by Keith Bellows
Who better than the longtime former editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine to provide a glimpse of 100 life-changing vacations from the eyes of kids just like yours? Whether following the Monarch butterflies as they migrate to Mexico, marveling at the Grand Canyon or zipping through the treetops in Costa Rica, the book will pique your child’s curiosity and excitement for cultures all over the world. Full of kid-friendly activities, hotels, and restaurants, as well as incredible experiences in a format that appeals to young readers, this tome is a must-have for your family bookshelf -- as much for your kids as for you.
Ages 4+
Photo: Amazon
