Wonders of the World Books

Most children have never visited any Wonders of the World, but the books on this list do a great job of transporting the hearts and minds of children across the globe to see these fantastic sites. They’re all filled with beautiful illustrations, vivid photographs, and great stories that will spark children’s curiosity. Which Wonder will you and your children visit first?

10 World Wonders: A Guide for Young Explorers Gene Lipen

Arthur, an adventurous dog, takes a trip around the world to see 10 of the greatest wonders out there. Join him as he visits the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and the Egyptian pyramids. The illustrations are cute and the text rhymes. The book provides basic facts about each of the 10 wonders, making it a good pick for preschoolers.

Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble Judy Schachner

If you haven’t read one of Skippyjon Jones’ adventures, you’re in for a real surprise with this book. Skippyjon is a siamese kitty who thinks he’s a chihuahua! He’ll use his imagination to travel back in time to ancient Egypt and visit the mummies. The story is laugh-out-loud funny! And, it includes a few phrases in Spanish, too. This is a must-read for children 5 and up!

The Great Wall of China Bold Kids

Looking for a simple book to use in introducing your children to this great Wonder of the World? This book is perfect! The text is simple and the photographs are vivid. Read it to your preschooler or have your emerging elementary reader read it to you!

Greek Myths for Young Children Heather Amery

Learn about more than a dozen Greek myths in this Usborne book. Pandora’s Box, King Midas, Odysseus, and other popular stories are included. Each myth is told in kid-friendly language and includes a few colorful illustrations, too. Some of the myths do include violence, though, so we suggest this book for 8-year-old kids and up.

Where Were the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? Yona McDonough

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were first listed more than 2,000 years ago. This book takes children back in time to explore each one of them. The author includes facts and figures about each Wonder, but also dives into the stories and people that surround them. Maps and black-and-white illustrations are included, too. Upper elementary students can independently enjoy this chapter book while younger children can enjoy it as a read-aloud.

The Pet Dragon Christoph Niemann

Grab this book for a non-intimidating look into Chinese language and culture. Lin is looking for her lost pet dragon and goes on a journey to find him. Along with the story, you’ll find Chinese characters superimposed on the illustrations. In this way, the shape of the Chinese character makes perfect sense with the word it represents. This one is easy enough for preschoolers to understand.

Ancient Civilizations: Aztecs, Maya, Incas Anita Yasuda

Explore three ancient civilizations with the detailed information and hands-on projects in this book. Kids will learn about the history, culture, economics, and daily life of the Aztecs, Maya, and Incas. The book includes step-by-step instructions for 25 projects like making a bronze bowl, experimenting with earthquakes, and more. It’s a great way for kids to learn about these cultures from long ago.

Young Zeus G. Brian Karas

Read this creative tale that describes what Zeus was like before he became a god on Mount Olympus. Watch him grow as he’s raised by a magical goat and goes on a journey to find his long-lost siblings. The dialogue is smart, and the story offers plenty of excitement. There’s music, action, and vibrant illustrations that are sure to engage children 4 and up.

Temple Cat Andrew Clements

In this ancient Egyptian city, a cat is the lord over the temple. In the temple, he has everything he could ever want. But, he yearns to explore what’s beyond the temple walls. The illustrations bring this heartwarming story to life and provide a brief look into the design of an Egyptian temple. The story is perfect for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Wonders of the World: An Interactive Tour of Marvels and Monuments Isabel Otter

This book brings the Wonders of the World home with a colorful map and vibrant illustrations. There are several lift-the-flap sections, too, that keep young readers engaged with the topics. The author includes the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World as well as the more recent Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Kids will explore Machu Picchu, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Great Pyramid of Giza, and many others. This one makes a great choice for early elementary kids who enjoy non-fiction books.

Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile Tomie dePaola

Bill and Pete are excited for their first day of school! The first lesson of the year is on Egypt and the Nile River. They’ll see mummies, pyramids, and the Sphinx. But watch out for the Bad Guy! This short story gives plenty of details about ancient Egypt while keeping up a quick pace for easily distracted preschoolers. Read it out loud and get ready for a big laugh!

The Emperor Who Built the Great Wall Jillian Lin

Introduce little ones to the first emperor of China with this informative book. The story tells about Emperor Qin’s life and his triumph in building the Great Wall of China. It’s told in simple language, so preschoolers and kindergartners can get a glimpse into the basics of Chinese history.

Zen Shorts Jon J. Muth

Stillwater, a giant panda, shares three short tales with children who come to visit him. Each story has a moral that’s focused on ideas like having compassion for others, recognizing the good in bad situations, and letting go of frustration. These wise stories offer something for every reader. Older children and adults can appreciate the hidden meanings, while young kids will enjoy the stories.

Pyramids Laura Marsh

This book from National Geographic Kids provides a vivid look into ancient Egypt and the pyramids. There are several different sections that explore everything from the afterlife to tomb robbers to King Tut. Plus, this one is a level-one reader, so your early elementary kids will be able to read it to you or you can use it as a read-aloud book!

The World Around Me Charlotte Guillain

Open this book and take a trip to visit 60 countries across the world! This brilliantly illustrated book showcases wonders, landmarks, and more. Kids can see jungles, mountain ranges, cities, and people. The small blurbs of information in each section make this an exciting read for elementary kids. As a bonus, the pages fold out into an eight-foot-long display!

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs James Rumford

In the early 1800s, Jean-Francois Champollion had a dream to read the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. For 20 years, he traveled the Nile River in search of the key that would uncover the secrets of this language. This book takes you along on his journey. Each page is illustrated with vibrant watercolor paintings. The text is really gripping and will hold the attention of elementary students.

The Empty Pot Demi

This flowery tale reminds us of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In this story, a young boy named Ping loves flowers. He’s given a seed from the Emperor, and he desperately tries to grow a beautiful flower, but nothing sprouts. Ping presents an empty pot to the Emperor and gets quite the surprise to reward his honesty. This heartwarming story, paired with the intricate illustrations, is a great bedtime read for children.

So You Think You’ve Got It Bad? A Kid’s Life in Ancient Greece Chae Strathie

Who wants to take a time machine back to ancient Greece? Think again! This book describes all of the not-so-nice things about living as a kid in ancient Greece. The snippets are hilarious and offer quite a bit of historically-accurate information. Kids will learn what the people ate, how they lived, and what they did all day. The disgusting-but-true feel of this book will certainly appeal to elementary kids!

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