8 Superb Children’s Books About Travel
Do you eat, sleep and breathe travel? Instill a love of globetrotting amongst the little ones in your life with this list of captivating travel tales for children.
If you’re a true travel junkie then you’ll want your loved ones to share in your passion.
Books are a great way of teaching children about different cultures and the big wide world.
Check out these 8 Superb Children’s Books About Travel and the kiddlies will be following in your globetrotting footsteps in no time!
1) JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH
British author Roald Dahl dreamed up this fantastic tale in 1961.
James Henry Trotter lives with two wicked aunts after losing his parents in a nasty rhinoceros accident.
After dropping some magic crystals on a withered tree, a giant peach grows and grows.
James steps inside the gigantic peach and rolls away to a surreal world adventure accompanied by a group of anthropomorphic insects that he meets inside the peach.
Adapted into a movie in 1996, this is quite possible one of the most brilliant children’s books ever written.
(Reading level 9 – 12 yrs)
2) WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
Originally published in 1963, where the Wild Things Are tells the story of Max who is sent to bed without any supper.
In his room, a wild forest and sea grows out of his imagination and Max sets sail to the Land of the Wild Things (scary monsters).
Max conquers the Wild Things and is declared King of all the Wild Things.
After rejoicing with the monsters he soon becomes lonely and homesick and returns home where he finds his supper waiting for him.
This children’s classic was adapted into a 1980 opera and a movie in 2009.
(Reading level 4 – 8 yrs)
3) THE ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS
First published in 1960, this award-winning novel tells the story of a 12 year old girl, Karana, stranded for 18 years on a Pacific island.
The brave protagonist forages for food, fights off predators and finds strength in her seclusion.
A classic tale of self-discovery, based on the amazing true story of Juana Maria marooned on San Nicolas Island in the nineteenth century.
Adapted into a movie in 1964 and a sequel published in 1976.
(Reading level 9 – 12 yrs)
4) WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON
Living beneath the Fruitless Mountain in China, Minli and her parents spend their days working in the rice fields.
Minli’s father tells stories of the Jade Dragon, the mean Magistrate Tiger and the Old Man of the Moon who controls everyone’s destiny.
In an attempt to change her family’s fortunes, Minli embarks on a journey to find the Old Man of the Moon.
She makes an eclectic selection of friends along the way with the book drawing on mythical themes from traditional Chinese folklore.
(Reading level 9 – 12 yrs)
5) THE RED PYRAMID
Estranged family Carter, Sadie and their Egyptologist father, Dr. Kane accidentally unleash the Egyptian God, Set, who banishes Dr. Kane into oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.
Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking and coming after them.
They set off on a dangerous journey across the globe – revealing hidden secrets about their family and a secret order that has existed since the time of the Pharaohs.
(Reading level 9 – 12 yrs)
6) PEAK
14 year old Peak Marcello hones his climbing skills by scaling skyscrapers in New York City.
After being caught and punished by an angry judge, he is sent to live with his mountaineer father in Thailand.
Peak’s father whisks him off to Tibet with the intention of him becoming the youngest person ever to climb Mt. Everest.
Peak finds himself in the amazing world of Everest base camp as this adrenalin-pumping adventure story unfolds.
(Reading level young adult)
7) THREE CUPS OF TEA
Lost in the mountains of Pakistan, Greg Mortenson managed to find his way to a small village where he was saved by the local people.
In an effort to repay them he vowed to return to the village to build them a school.
The story tells of the challenges the author overcame in order to establish a string of schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In a special edition for young readers an interview with Mortenson’s young daughter who often travels with him, has been added.
(Reading level 9 – 12 yrs)
8 ) THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY AND THE PERILOUS JOURNEY
The four young heroes: Reynie, Kate, Sticky and Constance set off to rescue Mr. Benedict and his assistant Number 2 who have been kidnapped by the evil Mr. Curtain.
The adventure takes them to a castle in Portugal, the Netherlands and to a mysterious island where they have a close encounter with Mr. Curtain and his henchmen.
A action-packed tale of adventure, narrow escapes and friendship.
(Reading level 9 – 12 yrs)