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best childrens books about south america

South America Topic

Best Children’s Books About South America

South America boasts a rich cultural heritage and history alongside stunning landscapes. Introduce young readers to this fascinating topic with this list of the best children’s books about South America.

From the lush Amazon rainforest, through the majestic Andes mountains, to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, the geography of South America offers much to explore, as does the history of its people from ancient times to the rich diversity of its modern population.

Whether you are looking for an exciting chapter book adventure set in the Amazon like Katherine Rundell’s The Explorer, or unique picturebooks like the beautiful tale of The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, we’ve got you covered. This booklist features the best children’s books to help young explorers study the topic of South America…

cities of the world south america

Cities Of The World: South America

Non-fiction

An engaging and visually exciting look at some of South America’s major cities.

This series offers readers of 9 and up an engaging and visually exciting look at some of the world’s major cities.

Cityscapes draw in the reader with facts about the iconic buildings that help to shape each city’s unique identity. Data-packed pages give the essential details about each featured city, including where to go, what to do and things to eat on a visit, as well as information about the city’s history.

The cities of South America covered in the book are Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Bogota, Columbia; Santiago, Chile; Caracas, Venezuela; Quito, Ecuador; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cuzco, Peru; Montevideo, Uruguay; Georgetown, Guyana; La Paz, Bolivia; Paramaribo, Suriname; Santa Cruz, Bolivia; Lima, Peru; Manaus, Brazil; Cuenca, Ecuador; Potosi, Bolivia; Cartagena, Columbia and Asuncion, Paraguay.

Titles in the 6-book series feature the cities of Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America.

go go chichico

Go! Go! Chichico!

Chapter book

Chichico is thrilled when a talent scout spots him during a kick-about with his friends Davi and Ana, and he is asked to try out for Santos Brazil. But without a pair of football boots, how will Chichico ever been taken seriously? Loyal Davi steps in and sets out on a mission to solve Chichico’s problem. But Davi’s actions soon risk ruining Chichico’s dreams forever…

A little football story with a big heart from award-winning author Geraldine McCaughrean.

expedition diaries amazon basin

Expedition Diaries: Amazon Basin

Non-fiction

Simon is packed and heading off to a region of the Amazon Basin in northern Bolivia. Despite its size, it’s a fragile biome, of mixed forest and river habitats. Simon plans to document his journey down the River Enatahua, but things go wrong right from the start: a rucksack is missing, along with his canoe …

Simon Chapman, winner of the Blue Peter Book Award, brings geography to life, and his Expedition Diaries are a great way to introduce the world’s biomes and habitats to children, direct from someone who’s actually been in them – sometimes up to his neck! These books are perfect for sparking interest in this key school topic.

info buzz argentina

Info Buzz: Argentina

Non-fiction

Find out about Argentina with this fun and engaging first information book. Topics include the country’s geography, major cities, people and interesting places. For children following Book Bands, it is suitable for children reading at band 8, purple.

The Info Buzz series, for age 5+, helps children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world by covering a wide range of topics in a fun, colourful and interactive way. The books have a lively design, engaging text and photos, questions to get children thinking and talking and teaching notes. Each title is written in conjunction with a literacy consultant and features book band guidance and downloadable activity sheets online.

brazil the land and the people

Brazil: The Land and the People

Non-fiction

Brazil: the Land and People takes you on a whistlestop tour around this most incredible country. Explore its rainforests, rivers (including the mighty Amazon), mountains and beaches, and meet some incredible wildlife along the way. Marvel at the vibrant street life, the amazing food and the diverse, multiethnic culture, and delve into the country’s rich history.

Discover what it’s like to grow up in Brazil – school, family life, socializing and religion – and find out how life is for the richest and the poorest members of society, in one of the most divided countries in the world. Learn about Brazil’s booming economy, and the industries that fuel it, and get ready to party, Brazilian-style, at carnival. Amazing photographs transport you to the very heart of this busy, colourful, visually-exciting country. Crammed full of facts, stats and incredible information – and much cheaper than a plane ticket – this is the perfect introduction to Brazil!

continents uncovered south america

Continents Uncovered: South America

Non-fiction

Discover some of Earth’s most spectacular places on the continent of South America!

Uncover the unique features of South America, from the wide variety of habitats and landscapes to the cultures of the peoples that inhabit the continent. Explore Tierra Del Fuego National Park, Lake Titicaca and the Atacama Desert that lie in the Andes Mountains, the Amazon Rainforest and more in this beautifully illustrated and informative celebration of Earth’s flora, fauna and spectacular geography.

This book is part of the Continents Uncovered series, which takes the reader on a tour of the world, charting landmarks, climates, people, animals and other wildlife. But it doesn’t stop there! This series is full of easy craft activity ideas that explore human cultures, wildlife and geographical phenomena. This series is ideal for children aged 7+ studying geography at KS2 or who are interested in maps, continents, wildlife and habitats.

sabotage on the solar express

Sabotage on the Solar Express

Chapter book

Ride into danger with Hal and Uncle Nat on the fifth breathtaking Adventures on Trains Mystery, Sabotage on the Solar Express, from bestselling award-winners M. G. Leonard and Sam Sedgman. Perfect for readers of 8 to 12 and brilliantly illustrated in black and white throughout by Elisa Paganelli.

Billionaire train enthusiast August Reza has invited Harrison Beck and Uncle Nat on the maiden voyage of the Solar Express – the winning design of his Reza’s Rocket competition. But during the journey, they discover the train has been sabotaged, hurtling passengers into a heart-stopping, action-packed, thrill ride across the Australian Outback. Can Hal find the saboteur and stop the runaway train before disaster strikes?

Sabotage on the Solar Express can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the Adventures on Trains series. Join Hal and Uncle Nat on more stops in this thrilling series with: The Highland Falcon Thief, Kidnap on the California Comet, and Murder on the Safari Star.

cities of the world australasia

Cities of the World: Australasia

Non-fiction

An engaging and visually exciting look at some of Australasia’s major cities.

This series offers readers of 9 and up an engaging and visually exciting look at some of the world’s major cities.

Cityscapes draw in the reader with facts about the iconic buildings that help to shape each city’s unique identity. Data-packed pages give the essential details about each featured city, including where to go, what to do and things to eat on a visit, as well as information about the city’s history.

The cities of Australasia covered in the book are Melbourne, Australia; Sydney, Australia; Aukland, New Zealand; Christchurch, New Zealand; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Suva, Fiji; Perth, Australia; Dili, East Timor; Noumea, New Caledonia and Brisbane, Australia, as well as Sunshine Coast, Australia; Canberra, Australia; Wellington, New Zealand; Hamilton, New Zealand; Adelaide, Australia, Hobart, Australia, Nelson, New Zealand and Darwin, Australia.

Titles in the 6-book series feature the cities of Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North America and South America.

sydney city trails

Sydney City Trails

Non-fiction

Here’s a book about Sydney that’s seriously streetwise. Lonely Planet Kids’ City Trails: Sydney features colourful themed trails, from history and culture to food and nature, that reveal amazing facts and intriguing tales that kids won’t find on the tourist routes or inside the average guidebook. We’ll show them where to find haunted pubs, ancient Aboriginal art, the best surfing beaches, and lots more!

Join Lonely Planet explorers Marco and Amelia as they hunt for more secrets, stories and surprises in another of the world’s great cities.

Themed trails include:

In the Beginning
Underground…Underwater
Sky High
Making a Splash
Sydney Spooks
Convicts, Refugees and Ten Pound Poms
The Name Game
Sydney Shapes
Do it Outdoors
Float On?
Asia in Oz
Walk on the Wild Side
Looking Good
Sporty City
Mudbugs, Bush Tucker and Big Fat Snorkers
Deadly Sydney
Got to be Green
Wet, Wet, Wet
Sydney in the Dark

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