Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: Geography

KS3 Geography Reading List

Recommended Books to Support Geography at KS3

If you are looking for recommended books to support Geography in Years 7, 8 and 9, this BooksForTopics expertly curated reading list is here to help!

This geography booklist for 11-14 year olds features a range of themes and formats, including map books like UK in Maps, books about our planet and its future like Bright New World and true-life stories like Great Adventurers.

There’s also a great choice of chapter books exploring a range of geographical themes, including natural disasters in Tsunami Girl and Floodland, migration in Boy 87 and Welcome to Nowhere, and journeys in The Girl of Ink & Stars and Mexikid.

With something for all budding geographers, the titles on this booklist will open up the world of Key Stage 3 Geography.

London Topic Booklist

Recommended Children’s Books about London

The capital city of the United Kingdom is rich in history, culture and iconic landmarks. Whether you’re looking for royalty-studded picturebooks, thrilling adventures set in London or gorgeously illustrated non-fiction titles, we’ve got the topic covered with our list of the best children’s books about London.

On this London-themed booklist, you’ll find picturebook stories set in London like The Queen’s Hat and Katie In London alongside chapter books about the UK capital like teacher’s favourite Daisy And The Trouble With London and the detective classic The London Eye Mystery.

We’ve also featured primary school non-fiction about the history and geography of London. Find out about the famous Great Fire in Vlad and the Great Fire of London or the sewage-ridden history of the Thames in The Great Stink, or reach for the beautifully illustrated The Buildings That Made London to find out about the famous architecture that sets this city apart.

India Topic

Best Children’s Books About India

Transport your primary school classroom to India with this curated selection of children’s books. Packed with colourful picture books, engaging chapter adventures, diverse short stories, and informative non-fiction, this list offers a hand-picked selection of children’s books to explore Indian culture, history, wildlife and landscapes.

This list of recommended children’s books about India invites primary readers to explore the vibrant culture, history, and traditions of this fascinating country. From traditional tales like Under the Great Plum Tree to historical chapter book fiction like Torn Apart, this booklist is here to help children find out more about the history and geography of India.

Maps and Mapping

Best Children’s Books about Maps and Mapping

All aboard for a voyage of discovery! This booklist offers young readers a richly illustrated introduction to the fascinating world of maps and mapping. Alongside beautiful atlases and map books, we also feature recommended stories about maps and the adventures that they may hold.

On our expertly-selected booklist, you’ll find everything from picture book stories about mapmaking adventures to engaging chapter books that weave tales of navigation and exploration. We’ve also curated a selection of the best children’s atlases, perfect for primary school children to learn about different countries, continents and landforms.

From The Atlas of Great Journeys to Martha Maps it Out, grab a compass and explore this list of the best children’s books about maps and mapping.

Earth’s Incredible Places: Grand Canyon

Susan Lamb

Non-fiction

Stretching across a rocky plateau in America, carved deep into the rocks by the rushing Colorado River, lies the Grand Canyon. Its bands of rock tell us about millions of years of our planet’s history and the indigenous Hopi, Havasupai, and Navajo tribes that have ties to the land. Today at least five million people visit Grand Canyon National Park every year.

This stunning illustrated guide is packed with incredible facts about this natural wonders’ wildlife, people, geography, and history. The Grand Canyon has captured humankind’s imagination since the Ice Age. Now it is your turn to explore!

Australia Topic

Best Children’s Books about Australia

Australia’s enchanting landscapes – from the Outback to the Great Barrier Reef – are brought to life in this list of the best children’s books about Australia. These titles offer vibrant illustrations and engaging narratives to help young readers to discover Australia’s unique wildlife, indigenous cultures and fascinating history. Start young explorers off on their journey “down under” with this inspiring collection of books.

South America Topic Booklist

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 like My Name is River, a unique picturebook tale like The Story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, or a beautifully illsutrated non-fiction title like Amazon River, we’ve got you covered. This booklist features the best children’s books to help young explorers study the topic of South America…

The King’s Hats

Mark Beech & Sheila May Bird

Picturebook

King Charles the III is now King of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, but he is finding his new crown just a little heavy to manage and he is worried that he might not be as beloved as his dear mama, Queen Elizabeth II. But his good friend Tom the gardener is on hand to show him that kings must wear all sorts of hats and that he must be brave and allow himself to be the king he was born to be.

Yellowstone

Bianca Austria & Catherine Ard

Non-fiction

Encompassing more than 2 million acres of protected land, Yellowstone is home to a rich variety of wildlife including species like the grizzly bear, wolf, bison and wolverine. Readers will discover the rainbow waters of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the tallest geyser in the world and discover how life in the park survives in the depths of winter when there’s 20 feet of snow! Yellowstone also has strong indigenous cultural connections, with 27 tribes celebrating ties to the land, its wildlife and geography which the park has only recently begun to acknowledge and celebrate. This stunning illustrated guide is packed with incredible facts about Yellowstone’s wildlife, people, geography and history.

Floodland

Marcus Sedgwick

Chapter book

Focusing on events caused by global warming, this gripping book is relevant to current topics including climate change and environmental studies.

Told through the eyes of a 10-year-old girl, Zoe, the earth’s sea levels have risen and flooded coastal areas the world over, including Zoe‘s town in the Fens in England.

As her family is being evacuated, she is separated from them. Forced to set out on her own to find them, Zoe is faced with many challenges that threatened her survival.

This book is perfect for older primary and younger secondary children, who will see it as a massive adventure. It’s a brilliant premise.

Best Books by Age

Popular Children's Authors

Topic: Geography

Recommended Books to Support Geography at KS3

Recommended Children’s Books about London

Best Children’s Books About India

Best Children’s Books about Maps and Mapping

Best Children’s Books about Australia

Best Children’s Books About South America

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