Next to packing your trunk and hopping on a plane, train, boat, or car, reading is the best way for children to explore the world. And you’d be hard pressed to find a genre that inspires more compassion and curiosity than travel books for kids. We asked those who know books best—bookshop owners and librarians around the country—for their recommendations.
While you’ve likely encountered some of these picks already, we hope this list also has some of your future favorites in store. Whether it’s about a group of spies running around New York City on a top-secret mission or a young boy connecting to his Iranian heritage, these are 34 of the best children’s books about travel, building community, and self-discovery—guaranteed to be hits during bedtime reading, road trips, and beyond.
This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
