Engaging stories can bring a country or a city to life for children while introducing them to different cultures. Whether you want children to learn about a place where your family plans to travel, or just want your children to know more about the world, you can be sure reading about different places will help them become better travelers.
For prospective travelers, choose books not just set in a destination, but that also have a real sense of place. Classics like Johanna Spyri’s Heidi and Ludwig Bemelmans’s Madeline stories reveal landscapes, landmarks and local customs as they tell engaging stories. The following books engage young readers with stories that speak of their setting, its people and often its history:
Japan: I Really Want to See You, Grandma by Gomi Tarō
France: Paris by Phone by Pamela Druckerman
Italy: Big Anthony: His Story by Tomie dePaola (or Strega Nona series by dePaola)
Canada: Carson Crosses Canada by Linda Bailey
England and Scotland: The Highland Falcon Thief by M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman
Scotland: The Children of Castle Rock by Natasha Farrant
London: The Queen’s Hat by Steve Antony
Kenya: Warrior Boy by Virginia Clay
China: Red Butterfly by Deborah Noyes
Berlin, Germany: Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner
Scandinavia (historical): Riddle of the Runes by Janina Ramirez
South Africa: Journey to Jo’Burg by Beverley Naidoo
Jamaica: When Life Gives You Mangoes by Kereen Getten
India: The Time Traveller and the Tiger by Tania Unsworth
Rome (historical): Roman Mysteries series by Caroline Lawrence
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Nov 13, 2025Discover Artistry and Fun at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
If your family enjoys seeking out the more unusual side of a city, you’ll definitely want to head to Magic Gardens on your next trip to Philadelphia. Not quite magic and not exactly a garden, this quirky attraction is a living testament to the artistry of one of the city’s most prolific creators and a great stop for family travelers.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Azores & Madeira: Portugal’s Island Paradises Await
Embrace the Portugal’s Magical Islands of the Azores and Madeira
Destinations / North America
Nov 13, 2025Show Kids Why Grand County is Snowmobile Capital of Colorado
With great annual snowfall and exceptional terrain, Grand County, Colorado, is a winter traveler’s dream come true, and family travelers flock to the county each season for its plethora of winter activities. Take the whole family this season and check off these adventures:
Slideshow
Nov 13, 20256 Fort Myers, Florida, Destinations for Family Travel
It’s time to start dreaming of your next family trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Fort Myers, Florida, with us.
Sponsored Content
TAP Air Portugal: A Milestone Year
From small airline to global success, TAP Air Portugal turns 80 and better than ever.
Destinations
Nov 12, 202510 Must-Visit Gingerbread Houses
Family travelers looking to get in the holiday spirit might want to check out these gingerbread houses around the United States. From life-sized houses to museum-quality displays, these destinations offer some of the most jaw-dropping gingerbread creations.
ShareThis