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Travel books for young kids: our favourite stories for the under-5s

Travel books for young kids: our favourite stories for the under-5s

I started reading to my boys as soon as they were born and as I am a self-confessed travel addict, I was always looking for travel stories to inspire their global wanderlust. This is a list of some of my favourite travel stories for young kids. From babies through to 5 year olds, I am sure you’ll be able to find something here for your little globetrotter.

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Reading to your children from a young age is the best way to get them into books, as well as finding a reading routine and visiting your local library.

1. Littleland Around the World

Littleland: Around the World
  • Marion Billet (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 03/05/2015 (Publication Date) – Nosy Crow Ltd (Publisher)

Fourteen scenes from around the world with lots of items to find from each country. More of a day read than a bedtime read as there is a lot of content on each page. Nonetheless, a beautiful read for inquisitive minds.

2. Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes Around the World

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Peppa Pig: Peppa Goes Around the World
  • Peppa Pig (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 06/02/2016 (Publication Date) – Ladybird (Publisher)

Peppa visits friends located across the globe in her very own aeroplane. With journeys to the South Pole, snowy mountain tops, the jungle and the desert, this is a colourful and action-packed Peppa adventure.

3. Playtime (Around the World)

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Playtime (Around the World)
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Petty, Kate (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 08/01/2007 (Publication Date) – Frances Lincoln Children’s Books (Publisher)

Striking photos of children playing from across the globe including Vietnam, Russia, Ethiopia and the UK to name a few. Published in association with Oxfam, this stunning book draws parallels between children from a range of cultures. Even though the wording on each page is short and descriptive, it is still suitable for your older child as the photos prompt worldly discussions.

4. That’s Not My Plane 

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That’s Not My Plane
  • New
  • Mint Condition
  • Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
  • Guaranteed packaging
  • No quibbles returns

A fun and simple touchy-feely board book from the familiar ‘That’s not my…’ Usbourne collection. Bold, clear illustrations with a different texture on every page accompany simple, repetitive text. Perfect for developing language and sensory skills of very young children.

5. Somewhere in the World Right Now 

Somewhere in the World Right Now (Rise and Shine)
  • Schuett, Stacey (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 40 Pages – 11/11/1997 (Publication Date) – Random House USA Inc (Publisher)

A beautifully illustrated book that glimpses into the lives of people across the globe at the same moment in time

6. Maisy Goes by Plane

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Maisy Goes by Plane
  • Cousins, Lucy (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 32 Pages – 04/07/2016 (Publication Date) – Walker Books (Publisher)

A fantastic book to introduce air travel to very young kids. It’s Maisy’s first time on an aeroplane and we follow her journey from check-in and security at the airport, all the way through to landing in Australia to meet her friend Ella.

7. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World (Dragonfly Books)
  • Dragonfly Books
  • Priceman, Marjorie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 40 Pages – 09/09/1996 (Publication Date) – Random House USA Inc (Publisher)

The market is closed, so the world becomes your grocery store. A delicious recipe for apple pie takes the reader around the world to find the best quality ingredients.  A whimsical tale, with charming illustrations and a nice twist at the end. It also comes with a map so that children can follow the journey and a recipe to make an apple pie at home.

8. Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Our World

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Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers About Our World…
  • Language: english
  • Publisher : Usborne Publishing Ltd
  • Katie Daynes (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 16 Pages – 09/01/2015 (Publication Date) – Usborne Publishing Ltd (Publisher)

A sturdy, interactive board book for inquisitive minds. Over 60 flaps, exploring all kinds of questions that young children ask about the world around them; “When can I see a shooting star?”, “Where is the tallest waterfall?”, “What are clouds made of?” and lots more questions about weather, seasons, countries and languages.

9. Spot Goes on Holiday

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Spot Goes on Holiday (Spot – Original Lift The Flap)
  • New
  • Mint Condition
  • Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
  • Guaranteed packaging
  • No quibbles returns

Follow Spot’s adventures to the beach with this delightful lift-the-flap book. Simple wording with bright, colourful illustrations. A perfect book to introduce the concept of a holiday to your toddler.

10. Collins Children’s Picture Atlas

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Collins Children’s Picture Atlas: Ideal way for kids to…
  • Orders are despatched from our UK warehouse next working day.
  • Hardcover Book
  • Collins Kids (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 48 Pages – 04/18/2019 (Publication Date) – Collins (Publisher)

A beautifully illustrated first atlas for your little ones. A great talking point for both past and future travel. Clear, colourful and highly informative.


You may also like to read:
USEFUL travel gifts for kids
10 benefits of family travel and why it’s important
Sanity saving tips for travelling with a toddler