21 Best Geography Books for Kids

Recommended Age: 7+

This book became an instant favorite when my son received it for his 12th birthday. We’ve spent hours flipping through its vibrant pages, each time discovering weird and wonderful places—like hidden caves or unusual festivals.

It’s not a typical storybook but offers young adventurers 100 of the most obscure spots on Earth.

If you choose just one book from this list, let it be this one—it’s a must for curious minds!

Recommended Age: Middle School

This timeless classic has a special place on our bookshelf. Following Phileas Fogg on his whirlwind journey around the globe is always an adventure. As we read, we found ourselves tracing his route on maps and imagining what it would be like to make that kind of trip ourselves.

It’s a fun and engaging way for kids to explore geography across multiple continents through an exciting narrative.

Related: Free continent worksheets

Recommended Age: 4-8

This one’s a bit quirky, but that's why we love it. Who Pooped in the Park? brings a sense of humor to learning about nature.

While it's specifically focused on the Great Smoky Mountains, it opens up discussions about wildlife and ecosystems in parks around the world.

It’s a fun way to explore geography and biology at the same time—kids are fascinated by the idea of figuring out which animals leave different kinds of droppings (trust me, this can lead to hours of giggling!).

Perfect for younger readers who enjoy hands-on learning and outdoor adventures.

Recommended Age: 5-9

I first discovered The Kids Who Travel the World series when looking for books to inspire our homeschool lessons about different cultures.

In this installment, two sisters explore Paris, visiting iconic places like the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre while also learning some basic French. This book was such a hit that we quickly bought the others in the series. It’s perfect for young kids who love to travel (even if it's just in their imaginations) and want to experience the world through the eyes of fun, relatable characters.

Plus, it's a great way to introduce them to different cultures, languages, and landmarks. My son and I still talk about our "trip" to Paris whenever we read it!

Related: Countries of Europe worksheets

If your child is studying geography, or you're homeschooling like us, I cannot recommend this book enough. Geography of the World is an essential resource, not just for kids but for the whole family.

It covers different cultures, landscapes, and regions in a way that's both comprehensive and easy to understand. We’ve used this book to complement our lessons, and it’s perfect for sparking deeper discussions about how people live in different parts of the world.

Related: Best geography board games

We absolutely love this atlas! National Geographic Kids World Atlas is packed with information about countries, people, and global developments, all presented in a kid-friendly format.

My son has spent hours looking at the maps and learning about the latest trends around the world. It’s an excellent resource for elementary-aged students, and I have to admit, I’ve learned a lot from it too.

From the creators of Horrible Histories comes Horrible Geography, and it’s as funny and engaging as you’d expect. These books cover topics like rainforests, deserts, rivers, and volcanoes in a way that’s both educational and entertaining. We’ve been working our way through the series and love how it brings sometimes complex geographical concepts to life with humor and fun illustrations.

• Bloomin' Rainforests
• Cracking Coasts
• Desperate Deserts
• Earth-Shattering Earthquakes
• Freaky Peaks
• Monster Lakes
• Odious Oceans
• Raging Rivers
• Stormy Weather
• Violent Volcanoes

This book is an absolute eye-opener, even for adults. It takes the vast world population and shrinks it down into a village of 100 people, offering some pretty fascinating insights into global demographics.

For instance, it reveals that while there are 6,000 languages spoken around the world, more than half the population speaks just 8 languages (including Chinese, English, and Spanish).

My son was amazed by these facts, and we had so many great discussions about how diverse the world really is. This is a must-read for anyone looking to understand global cultures better.

As a family from England, we couldn’t resist adding this one to the list.

The Big Book of the UK is an amazing book full of quirky facts, stories, and traditions from across the United Kingdom. It’s great for elementary-aged children and offers a fun and informative look at British culture and geography.

We’ve fact-checked it, and I can confidently say this book does a fantastic job representing the UK!

This book is a true adventure! The Travel Book by Lonely Planet is a journey across 200 countries, providing incredible insights and stunning visuals.

We love how it takes you around the globe, visiting countries from every continent and offering fun facts about each. It’s like having a passport to explore the world right from your couch.

Related: Geography gifts for kids

This atlas is perfect for kids who love asking questions and diving deep into geography. It’s packed with unique and fun information, like where the best diving spots are or which countries have the tallest buildings.

My son and I always find ourselves lost in its pages, learning new things and making travel bucket lists together. It’s an engaging book for curious students.

This beautifully illustrated atlas is a treasure trove of over 50 maps designed specifically for kids. The illustrations make it fun to explore different regions of the world, and it’s a great way to introduce young children to geography.

We’ve used this atlas countless times, and it never fails to keep my son engaged. It's colorful, informative, and just plain fun!

Related: Best map games for kids

Flags, capitals, and countries—this book covers them all.

If your child loves trivia or is just starting to learn about geography, this guide will be invaluable. Not only does it help kids learn the capitals and flags, but it also makes for a fun party trick!

My son loves challenging his friends and family to see who can name the most obscure countries and their flags.

This is our go-to resource for learning about each state in detail. It’s packed with two large pages dedicated to every state, filled with fun facts about landmarks, famous people, and quirky trivia. My son and I constantly refer back to it, and it’s always a hit during our geography lessons. If you're looking for a comprehensive yet fun way to explore the states, this is the book for you!

Related: How to remember the states

We love all things National Geographic, and this U.S. atlas doesn’t disappoint. The photography is stunning, and it’s a more in-depth, serious counterpart to The 50 States book.

It’s perfect for older kids or anyone looking for more detailed geographic information. Both books are excellent, so it really depends on your preference—fun and lighthearted or more thorough and factual!

Related: Best state games for kids

Though I haven’t picked up this one yet, we loved If the World Were a Village, so I had to include its American counterpart. It breaks down the U.S. population as if it were a small village, making big concepts about demographics, culture, and diversity easier for kids to understand.

If it’s anything like the global version, I’m sure it’ll spark some great conversations!

Related: United States unit study

This is a go-to book for anyone interested in the natural forces that have shaped our planet over thousands of years. It covers everything from ice ages to tsunamis, offering hundreds of pages filled with fascinating facts and stunning visuals. My son and I were hooked from the first page, and it’s a great resource for exploring topics like global warming and earthquakes together.

Use this book with our free printable geography worksheets.

The Super Earth Encyclopedia is another must-have, packed with information on extreme weather and natural disasters. Its vibrant images and in-depth discussions make it perfect for kids who are ready to dive deeper into Earth’s geography.

We’ve spent countless hours poring over its colorful pages, learning about everything from volcanoes to hurricanes.

Related: Geography subscription box review

This book focuses on rock formations, rivers, and other natural features, making it a great resource for kids interested in the physical aspects of geography.

It’s filled with intriguing visuals and information, making the world’s natural landscape feel accessible and exciting.

Related: Landforms worksheet

Even though the National Geographic Bee has been discontinued, this book remains a valuable resource for kids interested in geography.

It covers topics like social studies, earth science, and environmental issues, with geography at its core. We love how it features the latest stats and information about countries, making it a great study tool even outside of competition.

Related: Geography games for middle schoolers

For younger kids, this book is pure magic. With pop-ups, rotating wheels, pull-tabs, and more, it offers an interactive way for kids to engage with Earth’s geography.

My son couldn’t get enough of it when he was younger, and it’s a great introduction to the basics of natural geography for little ones.