Inspire Wanderlust in Children with These Picture Books

Parents, teachers, or anyone who has spent ample time with children can surely appreciate how malleable they are. Under the right conditions and guidance, those little ones can grow up to become well-rounded adults.

Obviously, education can have a huge impact. However, so can travel, which is “fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” according to Mark Twain.

Need a little help in inspiring a sense of wanderlust in your children? Here are some of the best picture books I’ve discovered that instill a love for adventure and understanding of the world.

The Snail and The Whale

“This is the tale of a tiny snail and a great big, gray-blue humpback whale,” writes picture book extraordinaire Julia Donaldson. More specifically, The Snail and The Whale follows an itchy-footed mollusk’s desire to leave home and explore far-away islands, underwater caves, and stormy skies, despite her fellow snails advising her to “Be quiet! Don’t wiggle! Sit still! Stay put!” With the whale as her transportation and Axel Scheffler as the illustrator, this book is undeniably charming, as are Donaldson’s and Scheffler’s other masterpieces.

Beautiful Oops

It’s OK to make mistakes. Unfortunately, fear of making mistakes prevents many adults from embracing worthwhile experiences, especially travel. To counter this, author and illustrator Barney Saltzberg demonstrates how spills, tears, stains, and detours can transform into something beautiful. Saltzberg reminds us in Beautiful Oops that mistakes are part of human nature and often lead to greater discoveries.

The Gardener

This heartwarming tale by Sarah Stewart tells the poignant story of a young girl from rural America who moves to a bustling city during the Great Depression to live with her uncle while her parents seek work. Through a series of letters, The Gardener captures the excitement and anxiety of arriving in a new place, teaching children that the world can be welcoming and not as daunting as it seems.

Grandfather’s Journey

Written and illustrated by Allen Say, Grandfather’s Journey is a deeply personal, award-winning narrative about one man’s love for two countries and his endless desire to belong to both. This book educates children on what makes a home, while simultaneously helping them appreciate the beauty of different cultures. “The more he traveled, the more he longed to see new places,” writes Say. “The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other.”

Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman

This delightful creation by Maira Kalman stands out as one of the most enjoyable books on this list. Told through the perspective of a brother and sister traveling to Japan, Sayonara, Mrs. Kackleman vividly illustrates the “lost in translation” experience and the joy of encountering the unfamiliar for the first time, complete with white-gloved taxi drivers and charming cultural quirks.

Wherever You Go

Join an adventurous rabbit and his animal companions as they traverse steep mountains, bustling cities, and winding roads, discovering the expansive world beyond their homes. “When it’s time for a journey, to learn and to grow, roads guide your footsteps wherever you go,” writes author Pat Zeitlow Miller. “Roads give you a chance to seek and explore. Want an adventure? Just open your door.”

These picture books are excellent resources for encouraging children to explore the world and develop a love for travel.