Children’s Books about Geography

Help your child learn about their world, our cities and states, and how to read a map with these children’s books about geography.

Children's Books about GeographyHere are some startling facts I learned from my son’s former after school care program:

  • Most primary school students don’t understand the differences between a city, state, and country.
  • Many kindergarten through second graders refer to California as a country rather than a state.
  • Seven out of 10 of these same kids think the words “country” and “state” are interchangeable.

Introducing young children to geography is a fantastic way to learn about where we live. For instance, we can explain that the Earth consists of seven continents, and that most are further segmented into countries. From there, countries divide into states, cities, towns, and right down to our own homes.

We can hang a large map of the world for kids to point to and discuss with us. A globe would also be a fantastic way to show the geography of our planet on a 3D model.

What can you teach your child about geography? Consider these objectives and goals:

  • Identify your city, state, and country on a world map.
  • Talk about the difference between a map and a globe.
  • Introduce scale, a map key, symbols, and other important features on a map.
  • Learn interesting things about different cultures (along with your own).
  • Define these vocabulary words: country, state, city, culture, globe, map, geography, and continent.

Children looking at the globe

Children’s books about geography

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

And of course, you can read plenty of geography books for kids.

These picture books can help young readers understand the concept of maps and globes. They can also learn how to locate different countries, oceans, and major landmarks. And they can read plenty of information about different people who live in places far away from them.

Take a look at a few of our favorite list of books to read:

The 50 States by by Gabrielle Balkan and Sol Linero

The 50 States by Gabrielle Balkan and Sol Linero

Lift-the-Flap Picture Atlas by Jane Chisholm

Lift-the-Flap Picture Atlas by Jane Chisholm and Helen Lee

How to Go Anywhere (and Not Get Lost) by Hans Aschim and Nainoa Thompson

How to Go Anywhere (and Not Get Lost) by Hans Aschim and Nainoa Thompson

Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska

Maps by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski

Where on Earth? Atlas by DK

Where on Earth? Atlas by DK

Geography from A to Z by Jack Knowlton
Geography from A to Z by Jack Knowlton and Harriett Barton

The World Book by Joe Fullman and Rose Blake

The World Book by Joe Fullman and Rose Blake

Where Do I Live? by Neil Chesanow
Where Do I Live? by Neil Chesanow and Ann Iosa

Kids Voyage To Seven Continents by Judy Winters

Kids Voyage to Seven Continents by Judy Winters

Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney
Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney and Qin Leng

Good Night America by Adam Gamble
Good Night America by Adam Gamble and Suwin Chan

Smart About the Fifty States by Jon Buller
Smart About the Fifty States by Jon Buller

The Little Man In the Map by E. Andrew Martonyi
The Little Man in the Map by E. Andrew Martonyi and Ed Olson

Follow That Map! by Scot Ritchie

Follow That Map! by Scot Ritchie

My Map Book by Sara Fanelli

My Map Book by Sara Fanelli

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman

The Firekeeper’s Son by Linda Sue Park

The Firekeeper’s Son by Linda Sue Park

A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme by J. Patrick Lewis

A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme by J. Patrick Lewis

My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States by Lee Bennett Hopkins

My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States by Lee Bennett Hopkins

Raise the Flag by Clive Gifford

Raise the Flag by Clive Gifford

Free printables: Want even more book ideas? Join my newsletter and grab your Read Aloud Book List! You’ll get hundreds of favorite selections to read aloud with your kids. Get it below—at no cost to you:

Read Aloud Book List

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.