The Best Children’s Books About Boats for Babies, Toddlers, and Older Kiddos

Written by Angie Menjivar
Updated: April 5, 2023
© Manivannan T/Shutterstock.com

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Best forProduct
Best OverallBoat Book
Best Board BookLittle Blue Boat
Best Bedtime StoryGood Night Boats
Best Alphabet BookThe Boat Alphabet Book
Best Historical BookIf You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic

There are fishing boats and dinghy boats, houseboats, catamarans, and more. You might be a boat lover yourself and want to get your kiddo interested in the same topic. They may even have developed a passion for boats on their own. No matter the reason, there are some awesome children’s books about boats to explore. Some books share important events in history and how boats played a part. Other books teach children about the different types of boats while also helping them learn the alphabet.

There are board books, paperbacks, some hardcovers, and of course, Kindle options. The first book we highlight in the list below teaches children about how humans use different kinds of boats. The next is a cute little board book that teaches children about the experience of being on a boat and encountering different ocean animals. The third is an adorable bedtime story. We also include two books about history and boats and one alphabet book for the youngest of readers.

  1. Boat Book
    • Perfect for babies and toddlers who love boats and ships
    • Written by award-winning author and illustrator Gail Gibbons
    • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  2. Little Blue Boat
    • Lift-a-flap board book with lots of simple sentences that help to reinforce language-learning
    • Introduces seals, dolphins, sharks, and otters
    • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  3. Good Night Boats
    •  Features tons of different boats and ships to learn about
    • Made with durable construction for curious young hands
    • Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  4. The Boat Alphabet Book
    • Great coverage of Viking ships
    • Lots of helpful illustrations
    • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
    Check Amazon
  5. If You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic
    • An account of the sinking of the Titanic suitable for children
    • Available in paperback and hardcover formats
    • Customers rate it 4.7 out of five stars
    Check Amazon

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

#1 Best Overall: Boat Book by Gail Gibbons

The best overall children’s book about boats is Boat Book by Gail Gibbons.

This is a title that you can purchase in a board book, paperback, or hardcover format. The book introduces children to a fleet of boats. It’s non-fiction and it’s perfect for babies and toddlers who love boats and ships. In the book, Gibbons covers canoes, cruise ships, speed boats, tug boats, and even submarines. She presents boats of all different shapes and sizes and explains how we use them in different ways. Some are for transportation, some are for police work and fighting fires, and some are for recreation.

In the book, children learn all about how boats move and how humans use them. A board book is a great option, especially for younger children who want to get their hands on these colorful pages. Gibbons is an award-winning children’s author who has other board book transportation titles including Bicycles, Planes, and Trucks. She is an author and illustrator and through her work, many young children learn all about the world around them. She makes all of these concepts accessible and super kid friendly. Each of her books is perfect for sparking the innate curiosity of babies and toddlers.

However, this book is short, and some customers have reported that it is a little “basic”.

Pros and Cons of Boat Book by Gail Gibbons

ProsCons
This is a non-fiction book that introduces children to a fleet of boats.It is quite short and some customers reported that it is a little “basic”.
It covers canoes, cruise ships, speed boats, tug boats, and even submarines.
It explains how boats are used in different ways.
There are hardcover, paperback, and board book editions available.
Best Overall
Boat Book
  • Perfect for babies and toddlers who love boats and ships
  • Written by award-winning author and illustrator Gail Gibbons
  • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
Check Amazon

2. Best Board Book: Little Blue Boat by Ginger Swift (Author), Cottage Door Press (Editor), and Zoe Persico (Illustrator)

As the best board book we recommend Little Blue Boat by Ginger Swift (Author), Cottage Door Press (Editor), and Zoe Persico (Illustrator).

This next book is a fun board book that babies and toddlers can enjoy. This story follows along with the Little Blue Boat, on which your baby or toddler and you can follow along to meet all kinds of ocean creatures. The book introduces seals, dolphins, sharks, and otters. It’s a lift-a-flap board book with lots of simple sentences that help to reinforce the language children are learning. The flaps are quite sturdy so as your child engages by grasping and lifting them, the book also helps them develop those important fine motor skills. It’s a perfect first-boat book to start your child’s library.

Pros and Cons of Little Blue Boat by Ginger Swift (Author), Cottage Door Press (Editor), and Zoe Persico (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This story follows the Little Blue Boat and introduces children to different kinds of ocean creatures.None
It is an interactive lift-flap board book.
The flaps are sturdy and can withstand children lifting and playing with them.
It uses simple sentences to help children grasp the language.
Best Board Book
Little Blue Boat
  • Lift-a-flap board book with lots of simple sentences that help to reinforce language-learning
  • Introduces seals, dolphins, sharks, and otters
  • Customers rate this book 4.8 out of five stars
Check Amazon

3. Best Bedtime Story: Good Night Boats by Adam Gamble (Author), Mark Jasper (Author), and Joe Veno (Illustrator)

Certainly, you need a perfect bedtime story centered around boats, so we suggest Good Night Boats by Adam Gamble (Author), Mark Jasper (Author), and Joe Veno (Illustrator).

Good Night Boats features tons of different boats and ships including fishing boats, tug boats, riverboats, cruise ships, harbor cruises, and even houseboats. You can help your young reader discover his or her own sea legs as they take this magnificent journey across different oceans and lakes on some of their favorite types of boats. This book is a part of a best-selling series, which means there are plenty of other titles to explore from the same authors.

This book is made with durable construction because we all know how children love to pull and tear as they explore their colorful books. The writing structure is very simple, allowing your child to effortlessly explore their own imagination. Your child gets a good morning greeting and a goodnight sign-off with every book, as they are taken away into a fun story that keeps their attention. Since this book is a part of a series, it’s a wonderful gift and a wonderful book to pick up for your own kids to start your entire collection.

Pros and Cons of Good Night Boats by Adam Gamble (Author), Mark Jasper (Author), and Joe Veno (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This book introduces many different types of boats and ships.None
It is part of a best-selling series so there are other books available from the same authors.
It uses simple language that is easy for children to grasp.
It has a durable construction so that it can withstand children pulling and grabbing it.
Best Bedtime Story
Good Night Boats
  •  Features tons of different boats and ships to learn about
  • Made with durable construction for curious young hands
  • Customers rate this book 4.7 out of five stars
Check Amazon

4. Best Alphabet Book: The Boat Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta (Author) and David Biedrzycki (Illustrator)

If you’ve got a kiddo who is learning the alphabet, then The Boat Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta (Author) and David Biedrzycki (Illustrator) is a fabulous book to pick up.

This book is available in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle formats and children get on board to learn all about a variety of different boats. The author explains to children why people need boats and have for thousands of years. He talks about reed boats as some of the first to ever be built and how the Viking’s wooden ships were always quite strong and very ornate. In modern times, there is an aircraft carrier that houses 6,000 people and can even carry over 100 planes.

The author walks children through all of these different types of boats using the entire alphabet. The illustrator does a fantastic job of providing dramatic settings for all the different types of boats the author presents. He manages to capture a distinct mood in each different body of water. For example, the author presents a red canoe, and the illustrator presents a serene lake. Another example is when the author presents a three-masted Xebec, and the illustrator matches the energy of this boat with images of a roaring ocean.

Unfortunately, some reviewers reported that the illustrations inside the book are not as good as the illustrations on the front.

Pros and Cons of The Boat Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta (Author) and David Biedrzycki (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This book explains to children why people need boats.Some reviewers reported that the illustrations inside the book are not as good as the illustrations on the front.
It talks about some of the first boats that were ever built.
The author uses the entire alphabet to talk children through all the different types of boats.
It features fantastic illustrations.
Best Alphabet Book
The Boat Alphabet Book
  • Great coverage of Viking ships
  • Lots of helpful illustrations
  • Customers rate this book 4.6 out of five stars
Check Amazon

5. Best Historical Book: If You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic by Josh Gregory (Author) and Sebastia Serra (Illustrator)

If you’re looking for a historical book about boats then we suggest you check out If You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic by Josh Gregory (Author) and Sebastia Serra (Illustrator).

This next story invites children to discover what happened on the day the Titanic collided with an iceberg and started to sink. The story follows a girl named Alice Carver. She’s aboard the titanic alongside her mom. Their plans are to start anew in the United States. Another character in this book is William Alexander III. He is on board the Titanic along with his very wealthy family. The book takes readers on several explorations of all the different features of the Titanic. The characters intertwine as they search for fun activities aboard the ship. This book is available in paperback and hardcover formats and is suitable for children between five and nine years old.

However, some reviewers have reported that some of the historical facts are inaccurate.

Pros and Cons of If You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic by Josh Gregory (Author) and Sebastia Serra (Illustrator)

ProsCons
This book explains the story of the Titanic in simple terms that children can understand.Not all of the historical facts are accurate.
It explores several different features of the Titanic through the eyes of two children.
It is suitable for children aged five to nine years old.
There are paperback and hardcover editions available.
Best Historical Book
If You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic
  • An account of the sinking of the Titanic suitable for children
  • Available in paperback and hardcover formats
  • Customers rate it 4.7 out of five stars
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

From the list above, you can see that there are lots of different children’s books about boats to select from. The topic is broad, and each author takes a different approach, sometimes focusing on the alphabet, and other times focusing on teaching children about important events in history.

Reading Level and Book Type

Some books, like board books, are perfect for babies and toddlers. These books sometimes have a lift-a-flap style to them, which also helps with helping your child develop fine motor skills. They’re very simple with lots of bright and colorful pictures throughout. They keep little ones engaged and they stay intact, which is super important when you hand over a book to a baby. There are some other books that help reinforce what your child may already be learning. For example, if your child is learning the alphabet, a board book that teaches children about different boats using each letter of the alphabet is ideal.

Then, there are other types of books with a higher reading level. These books help your young reader evolve their comprehension and vocabulary. Sometimes, they incorporate important messages like life lessons into either a fiction or nonfiction story. These books are better for older readers because younger readers may not be able to grasp these concepts just yet. They also may not be able to follow along with longer sentences and more complex vocabulary. Making sure you select the right reading level ensures that the kiddo in your life gets full enjoyment with their boat book.

Best forProduct
Best OverallBoat Book
Best Board BookLittle Blue Boat
Best Bedtime StoryGood Night Boats
Best Alphabet BookThe Boat Alphabet Book
Best Historical BookIf You Were a Kid Aboard the Titanic
About the Author

Angie Menjivar is a writer at A-Z-Animals primarily covering pets, wildlife, and the human spirit. She has 14 years of experience, holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology, and continues her studies into human behavior, working as a copywriter in the mental health space. She resides in North Carolina, where she's fallen in love with thunderstorms and uses them as an excuse to get extra cuddles from her three cats.

The Best Children’s Books About Boats for Babies, Toddlers, and Older Kiddos FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What are the main types of boats?

There are two broad boat categories that you can consider. The first is unpowered. These types of boats include gondolas, kayaks, and rafts. There are sail-propelled boats called sailboats and engine-powered boats are motorboats.

What are cabin boats called?

Cabin boats are cabin cruisers. These types of boats are perfect for overnight boat trips because they’re very spacious. They’re similar to houseboats and yachts. They typically have tons of amenities, including a kitchen, toilet, and sleeping area. There are different sizes you can check out, depending on how many people you plan to take out on the water with you.

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