The amazing thing about books and reading is that they can literally transport you to other places, making you want to explore. This list is just some of the best books to inspire children to travel and to make them want to see more of the world.

The Best Books to Inspire Children to Travel

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

For more than thirty years, this Dr. Seuss classic has carried us through life’s ups and downs – from fun times and triumphs, to lurches and slumps! Take an entertaining look at the adventures life has in store for all of us in this very special paperback edition of the beloved classic. The perfect gift for every moment in life, from graduations, weddings and birthdays, to those when you just need a little lift.

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

Celebrate Paddington’s 65th Anniversary with this exquisite gift edition of the original classic story, unabridged and illustrated in glorious full-colour throughout. Paddington is now a major movie star.

“A bear? On Paddington station?” Mrs Brown looked at her husband in amazement. “Don’t be silly, Henry. There can’t be!”

Paddington Bear had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru when the Brown family first met him on Paddington station. Since then their lives have never been quite the same . . . for ordinary things become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is involved.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis

Four adventurous siblings – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie – step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land with unforgettable characters for over sixty years. This is a stand-alone read, but if you would like to explore more of the Narnian realm, pick up The Horse and His Boy, the third book in The Chronicles of Narnia.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M.Montgomery

When waiting for an orphan boy to help with the work at Green Gables, Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert are in for a big surprise. Anne Shirley- a skinny, red-haired girl turns up instead. Feisty and full of spirit, she soon charms her way into the Cuthberts’ affection with her vivid imagination and constant chatter. It’s not long before Anne finds herself in trouble, but soon it becomes impossible for the Cuthberts to imagine life without ‘their’ Anne – and for the people of Avonlea to recall what it was like before this wildly creative little girl whirled into town.

Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

Take a thrilling whirlwind trip around the world with Phileas Fogg! When Fogg a man of habit whose every day is just like the one before makes a bet that he can circle the globe and be back in his men’s club in just 80 days, the race is on. Jules Verne’s classic tale bubbles with excitement, suspense, and colourful locations. Abridged for easier reading and carefully rewritten, with Classic Starts, young readers can experience the wonder of timeless stories from an early age.

The Famous Five by Enid Blyton

Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton’s most popular series.

Five On A Treasure Island
A shipwreck off Kirrin Island! But where is the treasure? The Famous Five are searching for clues – but they’re not alone … Someone else has joined the treasure hunt.
Five Go Adventuring Again
A thief at Kirrin Cottage! Who can it be? The Famous Five think they know – but they need proof! Then they find an old map and an unusual hiding place…
Five Run Away Together
Who’s been on George’s Island? And what is locked in the mysterious trunk hidden on Kirrin Island? The Famous Five think they’re on the trail of smugglers – until they hear a child scream…

This 70th anniversary edition features the Classic editions of the first three Famous Five adventures in one volume and contains the original cover art and inside drawings by Eileen Soper.

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

What books inspired you to travel as a child?

Let me know in the comments.