The Best Children’s Books About Maps That Teach Kiddos How to Navigate the World

Understanding your place in the world is difficult, but maps provide kids with a visual tool that allows them to grasp just how big this world is. They can learn to explore their own neighborhoods, cities, counties, and states. They can also begin exploring other parts of the world, letting their curiosities lead the way. In a GPS-laden world, it can be too easy to get accustomed to the sound of a robotic voice directing you. However, being able to read and understand a map is a powerful skill.

To get your kids excited about maps, you need some of the best children’s books about maps. In the list below, we compiled some of the most intriguing and interactive map books. The first follows a mapmaker as he maps the “perfect place.” The next book offers kiddos a chance to participate in the story and choose their own ending. With some of the other options, they learn some key mapping concepts, enjoy fun rhyming text, and even learn how to map their emotions to help them cope with big feelings.

A-Z Animals Top Picks for Children’s Books About Maps

#1 Best Overall: The Boy Who Loved Maps by Kari Allen and G. Brian Karas

The best overall children’s book about maps is The Boy Who Loved Maps by Kari Allen and G. Brian Karas.

This title is available on Kindle, audiobook, and hardcover formats. The story follows a boy who loves making maps. When a girl his age approaches him and asks him to create a map of “the perfect place,” he’s suddenly stumped. He is the Mapmaker, but this request definitely perplexes him. The story explains how the Mapmaker loves collecting maps, studying them, and making them. He listens intently as the girl expands on her request.

She wants a map that highlights where she can dig her toes into the sand and where there is an X that marks the spot for treasures. She wants this map to lead her to a place that smells like her birthday. In this perfect place, she wants to be able to fly around like a dragonfly. Understandably, the Mapmaker has to really consider how to create this perfect map for her. It takes him a while as he walks through the neighborhood filling his day with fun activities. Eventually, he realizes that the perfect place is home. This book contains really cute illustrations and is super creative and charming. The underlying message is that children can learn to appreciate what’s around them and celebrate their homes.

Pros and Cons of The Boy Who Loved Maps by Kari Allen and G. Brian Karas

Best Overall

The Boy Who Loved Maps

• 44 pages.
• Recommended for children ages 4 through 8.
• A charming story about a boy who loves making maps, and who becomes stumped when a girl asks him to map the perfect place.

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2. Best Lesson-Inspired: What Should Danny Do? On Vacation by Adir Levy (Author), Ganit Levy (Author) and Mat Sadler (Illustrator)

The best lesson-inspired book on the list is What Should Danny Do? On Vacation by Adir Levy (Author), Ganit Levy (Author) and Mat Sadler (Illustrator).

This next book is suitable for children between four and seven years old. It comes in hardcover format and follows a boy named Danny who finally gets a chance to experience a fun vacation. Throughout the book, you see how Danny has several choices to make. He discovers that he really does have the power to choose as he explores his vacation destinations. It’s an adventure book but it’s so much more than that. Children get to learn about responsibility, sharing, kindness, and empathy.

This book is unusual in that it’s not a consecutive story from start to finish. Rather, your kids get to explore nine different stories that follow Danny on his vacation. It’s also interactive because as Danny approaches each new conundrum, at the bottom of the page it asks your kids “What should Danny do?” If they choose the first answer, they’re directed to a specific page in the book. If they choose the second answer, they are directed to a completely different page in the book to continue following Danny on his adventure.

Unfortunately, some reviewers say that this book is not as good as the first book in the series, with particular regard to the illustrations. They said that the illustrations in this book make the characters look as though they have stick-on googly eyes.

Pros and Cons of What Should Danny Do? On Vacation by Adir Levy (Author), Ganit Levy (Author) and Mat Sadler (Illustrator)

Best Lesson-Inspired

What Should Danny Do? On Vacation

• 84 pages.
• Recommended by customers for children ages 4 through 7.
• Part of the Power to Choose series of five children's books.
• Filled with lessons on sharing, empathy, kindness, and responsibility.

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3. Best First Book: Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills by Scot Ritchie

If you’re looking for a good first book for your child then we suggest Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills by Scot Ritchie.

With this book, kids learn some key mapping concepts. It expands on maps and helps children understand that there’s so much more to them than just getting from point A to point B. They have the potential to expand children’s minds and their understanding of their own local environment, as well as places throughout the world. The author incorporates a search-and-find technique, which makes this book interactive for curious kiddos. They follow along with Sally and Max (and a dog and cat).

The dog is mischievous, and the cat is on the lam. Together, the kids take a journey throughout their neighborhood, expanding further into the city and country. They end up imaginatively exploring everything that lies beyond their vicinity. On each of the pages, kids can embark on their own search for both Max and Ollie, who can be found hiding somewhere on each map. There’s even an activity just when you think this book is over. Your child learns how to make his or her own map! This is available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle formats.

However, some customers have reported that this book doesn’t introduce the characters very well, resulting in the story being difficult to follow.

Pros and Cons of Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills by Scot Ritchie

Best First Book

Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills

• 32 pages.
• Recommended by customers for children ages 4 through 6.
• An interactive picture book that demonstrates the concepts of mapping.

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4. Best Rhyming Story: There’s a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps by Tish Rabe and Aristides Ruiz (Illustrator)

The best rhyming story is There’s a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps by Tish Rabe and Aristides Ruiz (Illustrator).

This is a book from The Cat in the Hat‘s Learning Library. You can download the Kindle version or pick up the hardcover. It’s all about maps and is perfect for young readers between three and six years old. It helps get them acquainted with different kinds of maps. There are city maps, state maps, world maps, temperature maps, terrain maps, and even topographic maps. It also explains the different formats you can find maps in.

For example, there is the atlas, the globe, and the puzzle map. Then, it introduces the different tools used when reading maps like compasses and grids. This book even manages to incorporate some entertaining facts about the places highlighted in the book. For example, it reads, “Michigan looks like a scarf and a mitten! Louisiana looks like a chair you can sit in!”

Unfortunately, some reviewers found this story to be a little too “wordy” for their children.

Pros and Cons of There’s a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps by Tish Rabe and Aristides Ruiz (Illustrator)

Best Rhyming Story

There's a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps

• 48 pages.
• Recommended by customers for children ages 3 through 6.
• Part of the Cat in the Hat's Learning Library of 50 books.

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5. Best for Activities: Fun with 50 States: A Big Activity Book for Kids about the Amazing United States by Nicole Claesen (Author) and Candela Ferrandez (Illustrator)

In our opinion, the best activity book is Fun with 50 States: A Big Activity Book for Kids about the Amazing United States by Nicole Claesen (Author) and Candela Ferrandez (Illustrator).

This book covers all 50 states from Washington, DC to a special place where a river flows backward. It covers national parks, different bustling cities, and some stunning areas with gorgeous views. The book introduces your children to the only place throughout the world where they can dig for diamonds and find what they keep. It covers the largest tree found throughout the globe and areas where crocodiles and alligators live together.

It contains some fascinating and one-of-a-kind facts about the United States. Along with all of these fun and wacky tidbits, children can also take part in over 100 activities. The book incorporates dot-to-dots, word searches, mazes, and coloring pages to name a few. Children don’t even realize they’re learning as they follow along with this book. By the time they’re done, they’re already ahead of the game, knowing each state’s capital, nickname, bird, flower, and more.

This book is aimed at children aged between six and nine years. However, reviewers have suggested that this age range is too broad as the book is a little too complex for younger children.

Pros and Cons of Fun with 50 States: A Big Activity Book for Kids about the Amazing United States by Nicole Claesen (Author) and Candela Ferrandez (Illustrator)

Best for Activities

Fun with 50 States: A Big Activity Book for Kids about the Amazing United States

• 128 pages.
• Recommended for readers ages 6 through 10.
• Full of facts and activities related to all 50 of the United States.

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6. Best for Tweens: NowMaps: A Tween’s Guide to Learning About Your Thoughts, Navigating Big Emotions, and Being a Confident Kid by Daniel Siegel and Deena Margolin

For tweens we suggest A Tween’s Guide to Learning About Your Thoughts, Navigating Big Emotions, and Being a Confident Kid by Daniel Siegel and Deena Margolin.

Older readers can enjoy this book. It’s suitable for kids between eight and 12 years old and takes a unique approach to mapping. The goal of this book is to help tweens navigate their emotions. They learn to move from feeling completely overwhelmed to feeling more in control and like they can handle whatever big emotion comes their way. Essentially, it incorporates the neuroscience of social-emotional learning, and it does so in an interactive way.

The book highlights four vital tools that are also super easy to remember for kids. They include a pause button, a flashlight, an OK monitor, and finally, a compass. Using these tools, the authors explain how tweens can create a NowMap. A NowMap is a still shot of what they’re experiencing in the present moment. It helps them pause and analyze where they are currently so that they can make the best decision to move in the direction they want to go next. The book has well over 40 different activities, games, and exercises. It’s a fantastic tool that teaches children how to develop awesome coping skills.

Pros and Cons of A Tween’s Guide to Learning About Your Thoughts, Navigating Big Emotions, and Being a Confident Kid by Daniel Siegel and Deena Margolin

Best for Tweens

NowMaps: A Tween’s Guide to Learning About Your Thoughts, Navigating Big Emotions, and Being a Confident Kid

• 233 pages.
• Recommended for readers ages 8 through 12.
• Features exercises, activities, and lessons about subjects like discerning between thoughts and feelings, how to respond to situations thoughtfully, and developing a growth mindset.

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Criteria: What to Look For in Children’s Books About Maps

There are a few factors to consider before deciding on the best children’s books about maps. We expand on each of these factors below:

Format

Some books present a story that your kiddo can follow. Other books are interactive, like the ones that invite your child to pick their own ending, or those that incorporate activities like word searches and mazes throughout. Some are more of a workbook, which can be wonderful for older kids to explore on their own. Younger kids may need your support for these types of books, however.

Reading Level

This is a vital factor to consider, as books that are too complex for younger kids may lead to frustration as they struggle through them. When the reading level is just right, you get a happy young reader. These books challenge them just enough and nurture their love for reading.

Fiction vs. Non-Fiction

If your child is focused on a lesson at school, a good non-fiction book that explicitly identifies the different parts of maps and the different types of maps that exist is a must. However, if your kid is a map-lover, you can always incorporate some fiction novels and books that take the concept of mapping to a new level.