It’s National Reading Month, Let’s Go and Read Somewhere!

Estimated read time 4 min read

March is known for St. Patrick's Day, Daylight Savings Time, March Madness, and Spring Break but it's also (unofficially) National Reading Month which typically kicks off on March 2 with Dr. Seuss' birthday. 

Since we're always on the lookout for good book suggestions for the kids, I asked my friend Kate Elliott, a former librarian and mom of two (soon-to-be three) children, to name some great travel themed or inspired books for kids of all ages.

Below is Kate's incredible list, with different travel situations and age recommendations. You're bound to find at least a few good books to take on your next trip, whether real or imagined. 

Books and travel are wonderful, natural bed-fellows. A good book can inspire a journey, introduce a new traveler to a strange city, and help fill your vacation days. And of course, no carry-on bag or bin for the car trip would be complete without some titles to fill the time. In honor of National Reading Month, here are some of my favorites for your next adventure.

FOR UNDERSTANDING YOUR JOURNEY

There are lots of new experiences when you go traveling: hotels, airports, long car rides, new relatives. These titles introduce kids to many of these experiences with humor and fun details. They are for both preparing for the journey and bringing with you to pass the time on your travels.

Eloise by Kay Thompson. (ages 4 and up)

The Hotel Cat by Ester Averill. (illustrated chapter book, for ages 5 and up for read aloud)

A Day at the Airport by Richard Scarry. (ages 2 and up)

Amazing Airplanes by Tony Mitton. (ages 2 and up)

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant. (ages 3 and up)

Duck Duck Moose by Dave Horowitz. (ages 3 and up)

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman. (ages 4 and up)

Cars and Trucks and Things that Go by Richard Scarry. (ages 2 and up)

DESTINATION SPECIFIC:

A trip to a big new city or foreign country can be daunting for little travelers. Reading about that place is a great way to ease your crew into the new locale and get a sense of the culture.  Some of these titles feature enough real landmarks to help you plan a book themed itinerary!

France:

Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks. (ages 4 and up)

Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock. (ages 4 and up)

*Honorable Mentions: Anatole by Eve Titus and Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

England:

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond. (chapter book for ages 5 and up as read)

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Inga Moore. (chapter book for ages 5 and up) *This is a slightly abridged version, but well done, and the illustrations are perfect.

*Honorable Mention: The BFG by Roald Dahl; Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne; Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild; and anything by Beatrix Potter

New York: 

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown. (ages 4 and up) Be sure to visit the NYC High Line!

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. (ages 7 and up)

*Honorable Mention: Cricket in Times Square by George Selden; How Little Lori Visited Times Square by Amos Vogel; and Escape of Marvin the Ape by Caralyn Buehner

Multiple Locations:

This is … series by M. Sasek’s: Reprinted from the 1960’s originals, don’t worry about outdated facts, there is a page in each book “This is ….Today” with updated 21st Century facts.

SEASONAL FARE

Some books just sing to a specific season and can help immerse you in that snowy ski trip, or summer house on the lake.

Winter:

Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed. (ages 5 and up, short verse read aloud)

Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner. (ages 4 and up)

*Honorable Mention: Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and White Snow Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt

Summer:

Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright. (ages 8 and up)

Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey. (ages 4 and up)

*Honorable Mention: If You Want to See a Whale by Julie Fogliano and The Little Island by Margaret Wise Brown

GOT A FAVORITE TRAVEL-THEMED BOOK? Share it with the rest of us below!

OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE:

When You Cna't Be There to Read a Story, Pull Up StoryBug Instead

10 Gift Ideas for The Little Travelers In Your Life

Juliana https://tripsandgiggles.com

Juliana is the founder and editor of Trips + Giggles. She has three children and lives in Los Angeles.

You May Also Like

More From Author