Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home > Books

Topic: Mountains & Volcanoes

Chapter book

A young girl heals from grief and loss in the snowy Highlands of Scotland, with the help of her loyal, trusting rescue dog. Clova’s life changes forever when her mother, who was a search and rescue volunteer, dies tragically in an avalanche. Her grieving father withdraws and life at home feels lonely, until the day she meets Border Collie Tatty, a shy and frightened dog who Clova helps make bright-eyed and boisterous again.

She begins to train Tatty as a search-and-rescue dog and when two local boys go missing on the moor, Tatty and Clova spring into action to track them down and save the day. But Dad is furious when he finds out Clova has been on the mountain, and sends Tatty away. Clova is heartbroken.

On the first day of spring, the sudden rise in temperature after a cold snap and heavy snow causes an avalanche on the mountain – and Clova’s dad is up there! The Search and Rescue team – plus Clova and Tatty – scramble onto a helicopter for a dangerous rescue mission in the growing dark – can they find Dad and save the day

A story to delight all young animal fans.

Picturebook

Our mountain watches over us – steadfast and strong…

Discover the secrets of the mountain in this stunning picture book. Watch the world transform as day turns to night and explore the never-ending possibilities of nature as you travel up and down the mountain.

Non-fiction

Which animal lives on top of the Everest? Where can you spot the majestic condor? How does the ibex climb up rocks?

Mountains are home to 25% of terrestrial biodiversity and a multitude of fragile ecosystems. What if you could fly and discover those places and the incredible wild animals hidden at high altitude?

This large format book transports you to inaccessible places and helps you discover the incredible fauna that live in these mountains, volcanoes, hills or valleys.

Throughout the book is a search and find counting game enabling you to spot bats ready to take flight, sloths hanging from branches, wallabies and their babies, and butterflies aplenty.

Dyslexia-friendlyNon-fiction

Everest is the world’s highest mountain, towering like an icy giant over the Himalayas. For the millions of people living nearby, it has always been a magical place, known as “Goddess Mother of the World” or the “Peak of Heaven”. To explorers and adventurers, it represents a perilous but thrilling challenge to be conquered.

In this exhilarating account by award-winning author David Long, he looks back at the first attempts by international mountaineers to reach the fabled summit, many of which ended in death and disaster.

Best Books For a Mountains and Volcanoes Topic 

Mountains are areas of land that are elevated higher than the land around them, usually formed over millions of years. Volcanoes are openings in the Earth’s crust that can let out gasses, ash and lava. From the mightiest of mountains to the most vicious volcanoes, we’ve put together a list of recommended children’s books for budding explorers to find out more about our awesome Earth. Look out for snow-capped adventures, mountain-side flora and fauna, ancient eruption escapes and elevated animal rescues in our hand-picked selection of the best children’s books about mountains and volcanoes…

Chapter book

A vivid, warm and atmospheric adventure set in the mountains of India, about a girl who is determined to protect the wild leopards of the mountain from poachers, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell.

I thought we’d live here forever … but then, I thought Mum would be here forever too.

When Ruby’s dad uproots her from Australia to set up a hotel in the mountains of India, Ruby is devastated. Not only are they living in a run-down building in the middle of the wilderness surrounded by scorpions, bears and leopards, but Ruby is sure that India will never truly feel like home – not without her mum there.

Ever since her mum died, Ruby has been afraid. Of cars. Of the dark. Of going to sleep and never waking up.

But then the last remaining leopards of the mountain are threatened and everything changes. Ruby vows to do all she can to protect them – if she can only overcome her fears…

Non-fiction

Discover a world of amazing facts and information with Fact Planet!

Learn about volcanoes and find out how they form, where they are most likely to be and how scientists study them through diagrams and case studies.

Fact Planet is a lively, information-filled geography series, packed full of colourful illustrations, clear explanations and fun quizzes to test your knowledge. The eye-catching flat illustrations combined with occasional photos bring geography and environmental issues to life.

Other topics covered in this series are earthquakes, mountains, pollution, rivers and coasts, animals at risk, settlements and Earth’s resources.

Perfect for the geography curriculum at KS2, this series is suitable for children aged 7 and up.

Non-fiction

Take a hike through alpine landscapes and snowy mountain peaks and discover Earth’s diverse and delicate ecosystems.

From the mighty Himalayas to the majestic Rockies , this book will take you on an amazing journey into the world of mountains. See the different flora and fauna , learn about the diverse range of species and understand the importance of maintaining these beautiful, natural habitats.

This lyrical picture book shines a light on our planet’s fragile mountain ecosystems, from the Himalayan jumping spider to stealthy snow leopard, gently covering important topics such as global warming and the impact of humans on the natural world. An author’s note, world map and ‘Find Out More’ section in the back pages will inspire readers to learn more about the world around them

Immersive illustrations are complemented by imaginative, evocative text, making this an ideal book for adult and child to read together, or for young readers to explore independently.

Running through the book are themes of the interdependency of the species, the food web, and the importance of maintaining the delicate balance between creatures in mountain habitats around the world.

Picturebook

In this beautifully illustrated picture book from Lara Hawthorne, a mysterious creature from a secluded volcano crater explores the outside world for the very first time . . . but is it not what he expects it to be! Will his adventure teach him there is no place like home?

Ratty lives deep inside the crater of an ancient volcano nestled in the rainforest. One day, he spies a particularly delicious-looking fruit high in the treetops, and sets out to reach it. From this high vantage point a spectacular view stretches before him – the world outside his mountain crater. In this big outside world, Ratty imagines, the fruit must be much sweeter, the bird songs more beautiful and the other animals far more interesting and sophisticated, and so he sets off in search of better things. But when is he is asked to attend a dinner party by a crocodile who seems just a bit too friendly, Ratty realises that perhaps there is no place like home after all.

Inspired by the recent scientific breakthroughs of Mount Bosavi, in which over 40 new species of animals and plants were identified, Lara Hawthorne seamlessly combines story and fact in this picture book which celebrates the diversity of life, even in extreme habitats.

Non-fiction

Explore ten of the world’s most awesome mountain ranges!

From the Rockies to the the Great Dividing Range, discover some of the most famous and important mountain ranges on the planet. Zoom in on their most interesting features, with the help of engaging artwork and key information. Each mountian range ‘profile’ is accompanied by unique illustrations and clear photos.

The World Feature Focus series brings a fresh perspective to the world’s most significant elements and landforms. With artwork that emphasises the otherworldliness and beauty that exists within the make-up of Earth, children aged 7 upwards will be equally entranced and informed about the world’s geography.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments