There’s nothing like the gift of a good book and what’s better than a book about our beloved city? We checked with our favorite booksellers and gathered up all their recs for the best books for kids about Boston from classic like Make Way for Ducklings to contemporary favorites. Read your way through books about Fenway and the Tea Party, and find inspiration in the story of the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. Which one will be your little one’s new favorite?
Bus Route to Boston
By Maryann Cocca-Leffler
The everyday sights, sounds and smells of a colorful and bustling city come alive in this book - a child's view of Boston. Maryann Cocca-Leffler remembers frequent bus trips she took into the city as a girl with her mother and little sister. Together they shopped for delicious treats in the Italian North End - warm pizza and creamy cannoli - or stopped for ice cream sundaes at Bailey's after a day of bargain hunting at Filene's Basement.
Get yours here, $9.95.
F is for Fenway: America's Oldest Major League Ballpark
By Jerry Pallotta
Baseball fans learn about the ballpark's history, features, and momentous events, including famous home runs from luminaries such as Ted Williams.
Get yours here, $16.95.
Girl Running
By Annette Bay Pimentel
Because Bobbi Gibb is a girl, she's not allowed to run on her school's track team. But after school, no one can stop her--and she's free to run endless miles to her heart's content. She is told no yet again when she tries to enter the Boston Marathon in 1966, because the officials claim that it's a man's race and that women are just not capable of running such a long distance. So what does Bobbi do? She bravely sets out to prove the naysayers wrong and show the world just what a girl can do.
Get yours here, $14.39.
Good Night Boston
By Adam Gamble
Boston is waiting for your family to explore. Watch as your toddler discovers everything the city of Boston as to offer, such as Fenway Park, Old Ironsides, the Boston Tea Party Ships, and so much more. Show them what makes our nation’s most historic city so iconic.
Get yours here, $9.95.
Good Night, Red Sox
By Brad M. Epstein
Good Night, Red Sox follows in the long tradition of good night stories loved by children everywhere. The bedtime story takes children through the day of the big game good morning Boston as everyone wakes up in anticipation, good afternoon Red Sox Nation as everyone heads to Fenway Park, good evening Red Sox as the team take the field and game begins, and of course good night everyone as we say good night to Fenway Park, the players and young fans dreaming of their major league debut.
Get yours here, $11.70.
Hello, Boston!
By Martha Zschock
Follow a parent and child duck as they explore the state capital of Massachusetts and New England's largest city. From Beacon Hill to the Old North Church, they learn about the city's history.
Get yours here, $9.69.
Journey Around Boston From A to Z
By Martha Zschock
This vivid, enchanting alphabet book for all ages is packed with fascinating information about historic sites in Boston, Cambridge, and environs. Colorful, detailed watercolor paintings from author and illustrator Martha Day Zschock enliven the pages, which include: Brahmins on Beacon Hill, Fans at Fenway, and Tea Taxes!
Get yours here, $13.89.
Larry Gets Lost in Boston
By John Skewes
Join Larry the pup and his owner Pete as they explore Boston, MA. From Fenway Park's Green Monster to the swan boats in Boston Public Garden, locals and visitors learn about Boston's history and cultural landmarks when Larry gets lost chasing after a tasty treat.
Get yours here, $11.79.
Larry Loves Boston!
By John Skewes
Just like the locals and visitors, Larry the pup loves the Freedom Trail, the Public Garden, Fenway Park, Bunker Hill Monument, Faneuil Hall, and many of the other sites and sounds of Boston. Based on the popular children's picture book Larry Gets Lost in Boston, families who love Boston will want this charming board book for their little readers.
Get yours here, $9.99.
Make Way for Ducklings
By Robert McCloskey
In this timeless tale of family life, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard find the perfect spot to raise their young in Boston's Public Garden.
Get yours here, $15.95.
Night-Night Boston
By Katherine Sully
It's bedtime in Boston! Say goodnight to all your favorite locations, including the Franklin Park Zoo, Old North Church, Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Fenway Park and more.
Get yours here, $9.93.
On the Loose in Boston
By Sage Stossel
With simple rhymes and colorful, highly detailed painting, the prize-winning Atlantic Online cartoonist creates a "Where's Waldo?"-type hit, setting animals free from Franklin Park Zoo and challenging children to find them in settings from Faneuil Hall to Fenway Park.
Get yours here, $12.86.
—Kate Loweth
Images courtesy of publishers. Featured photo courtesy of iStock.
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