My youngest went through a phase where every book had to be about trains, planes, or some far-off place she had never seen. I found myself hunting for anything with a suitcase on the cover, scrolling through library catalogs at 10pm like it was my job. That phase eventually expanded into a full-blown love of travel stories, and I realized something: books about journeys and exploration hit different for early readers. They get to experience new places, different cultures, and the excitement of going somewhere new, all from the safety of a picture book. For kids in K through third grade, travel books can spark curiosity about the world while still being accessible enough for new readers to tackle on their own.
We discovered "Train" by Elisha Cooper, which follows a commuter train out of New York all the way west. My daughter spent weeks pointing out every train she saw afterward and loved how detailed the illustrations were. For something with a bit more heart, "Good Luck Anna Hibiscus!" by Atinuke is wonderful because Anna is traveling to Canada to see her grandmother and experience snow for the first time. That anticipation of something new really resonated with my kid. Then there is "Are We There Yet?" by Alison Lester, which is basically a road trip across Australia with a family camping and seeing everything from the Great Barrier Reef to the outback. The watercolor illustrations make you feel like you are right there with them. We also really enjoyed "Nicky and the Rainy Day" by Valeri Gorbachev, where Nicky and his family find wonders in their own backyard instead of traveling far. Sometimes the best journeys are the small ones, and kids pick up on that message in a way that feels natural rather than preachy. If your kid loves adventure stories with real historical roots, "The True Tale of Johnny Appleseed" by Margaret Hodges is beautiful because it shows how one person's travels west left a lasting mark on the country.
For those using Accelerated Reader, you will find these books range from about 2 to 4 in level, which is pretty typical for this age group. My oldest was reading at a solid 4 when she was in second grade, and something like the Johnny Appleseed book kept her attention while still being manageable. The points are light on most of these, usually half a point, which makes them perfect for kids who want to finish a book and feel that little rush of accomplishment. They are quick reads too, often working well as bedtime stories you read together or chapter books a confident reader can power through in a few sittings. Something around a 3 to 4 AR level tends to work well for kids in this grade range without feeling too easy or frustrating.
Grab a few of these from your library and see which ones your kid gravitates toward. Perfect for the kid who is always asking about other places or dreaming about the next family trip, and honestly just a great way to build reading stamina while feeding that curiosity about the world.