Cover The right children’s books can kickstart your kids’ love for adventure (Photo: Lina Kivaka / Pexels)
The right children’s books can kickstart your kids’ love for adventure (Photo: Lina Kivaka / Pexels)
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Whether a trip through the canals of Venice, a plane ride across the ocean or an imaginary journey to the moon, these children’s books show kids that the world (and beyond) is full of wonder
Raising a little explorer? One of the easiest ways to instil a love for adventure before they even pack their first suitcase is through books. Stories have the power to transport children across continents, introduce them to new cultures and spark a lifelong curiosity about the world. Whether your child is an infant, a toddler or a full-fledged elementary schooler, these books will ignite their wanderlust—and you don’t even need to apply for a passport.
Here are 10 of the best children’s books to inspire a love for travel, from board books for the tiniest jet-setters to immersive stories for budding adventurers.
Also read: Written wanderlust: Books that will make you want to travel
1. ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ by Dr Seuss
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‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’
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A classic graduation gift, sure, but Dr Seuss’ whimsical rhymes and colourful landscapes make this an inspiring read for even the youngest travellers. One of the most beloved children’s books by Theodor Seuss Geisel, it follows a nameless protagonist as they journey through different places, facing challenges and triumphs along the way. With talk of mountains to climb and streets to explore, this book subtly teaches kids that the world is vast, exciting and full of opportunities—perfect for planting the first seeds of wanderlust.
Best for: Ages 3-8
2. ‘This Is Venice’ by Miroslav Šašek
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‘This Is Venice’
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Part of Šašek’s beloved This Is… series, this vintage picture book takes readers on a visual tour of Venice, complete with its winding canals, gondolas and historic landmarks. The book blends charming illustrations with fun facts about the city’s architecture, traditions and daily life. Think of it like a travel guide, but written for children, making it a perfect introduction to Italy’s floating city.
Best for: Ages 4-10
Don’t miss: #TatlerTips: The Globetrotter's 10 in Venice
3. ‘The Airport Book’ by Lisa Brown
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‘The Airport Book’
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This book is a lifesaver if you have a little one who’s more anxious than excited about travelling. It walks kids through every step of a trip to the airport—security lines, baggage claims and the flight itself—with humour and engaging details. Through the story of a young girl and her family navigating the airport, children get an inside look at the mechanics of air travel, from check-in to landing. Perfect for first-time fliers who want to know what to expect before takeoff.
Best for: Ages 3-7
4. ‘Hello, World! Cities’ by Ashley Evanson
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‘Hello, World! Cities’
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Designed for the tiniest travellers, Hello, World! Cities is a series of children’s books that introduces babies and toddlers to famous cities like Paris, London and New York through simple words and adorable illustrations. Each tome is a board book and each page features iconic landmarks paired with basic concepts, making it a great way to start teaching global awareness from the crib.
Best for: Ages 0-3
5. ‘Follow That Map! A First Book of Mapping Skills’ by Scot Ritchie
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‘Follow That Map! A First Book of Mapping Skills’
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Before they set off on grand adventures, kids need to know how to read a map. This interactive book turns navigation into a fun, engaging activity. It follows a group of children and their dog as they explore their neighbourhood and beyond, using maps to solve problems and find their way. Kids will learn about cardinal directions, symbols and different types of maps, making this a great early geography lesson.
Best for: Ages 5-8
6. ‘The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System’ by Joanna Cole
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‘The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System’
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Ms Frizzle’s chaotic, thrilling field trip to space will have kids dreaming big—whether that means jetting off to another planet or just hopping on a plane to a new country. In this story, the students of Walkerville Elementary take an unexpected detour into outer space, visiting planets and learning about the solar system. Packed with fun science facts, The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System is a must-read for aspiring astronauts and earthbound adventurers alike.
Best for: Ages 5-9
7. ‘All Aboard! The Airport Train’ by Nichole Mara
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‘All Aboard! The Airport Train’
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A charming lift-the-flap board book for tiny train lovers, this story takes young readers on a journey through an airport train station, teaching them about different transportation methods in a simple and engaging way. As they lift the flaps, they’ll discover hidden surprises, making it a great interactive read for little ones preparing for their first trip.
Best for: Ages 2-5
8. ‘Madeline’ by Ludwig Bemelmans
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‘Madeline’
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You need to fill your collection with classic children’s books like Madeline. After all, who wouldn’t want to explore Paris after reading about this charming, mischievous little girl? Set in a boarding school in Paris, this timeless story follows the fearless Madeline as she gets into adventures around the city. With rhyming text and stunning illustrations of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine and the Luxembourg Gardens, this book introduces kids to the magic of the City of Light while celebrating bravery and independence.
Best for: Ages 3-8
9. ‘How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World’ by Marjorie Priceman
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‘How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World’
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This delightful story follows a girl on a whirlwind journey across the globe as she gathers ingredients for an apple pie—cinnamon from Sri Lanka, sugar from Jamaica and so on. The book cleverly introduces children to different countries and the origins of everyday foods while showing how interconnected the world is. A perfect mix of travel, adventure and cooking, this book may just inspire your little one to become a world-travelling chef.
Best for: Ages 4-8
10. ‘A Ticket Around the World’ by Natalia Diaz and Melissa Owens
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‘A Ticket Around the World’
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This book follows a young boy as he travels to 13 different countries, meeting local children and learning about their daily lives. Each stop introduces kids to cultural traditions, languages and food, showing that while people may live differently around the world, we all share universal experiences like friendship and family. The engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations make it a great introduction to global diversity and geography.
Best for: Ages 5-9
