When I started my blogging journey nearly four years ago my goal was to inspire parents to travel the world with their kids while providing tips to make it easier and affordable. Then it became more than that! Not to everyone but to so many of you who send me messages saying thank you for showing you that life doesn’t end after having kids. Even more meaningful to me are the thank you’s I get for showing the world positive images of a black family and that black people do indeed travel.
If you type in family travel in google images you’ll see a trend and what you’ll notice is family’s that look like mine are missing. Instead of complaining about it and letting Google images dictate the norm I decided I wanted to take our positive images off the internet and into homes. So I wrote a book series on my families travels. My hope is to help diversify the book shelves of all families regardless of race but to also let little black girls and little black boys know the world is theirs and they can go every and anywhere they choose.
Thankfully I’m not alone in this journey and there are several black writers with similar goals. Here are 5 travel-themed children’s books written by black authors you need to add to your kid’s bookshelves. They are also the perfect gift for your nieces, nephews, God children or your local elementary school!
The Traveling Child Goes to Rio de Janeiro by Monet Hambrick
The Traveling Child Goes to Rio de Janeiro is the first book of my series, the Traveling Child Goes to. The series based on the travels of my family of four.
This first book brings you along our 2019 spring break trip where they spent 7 days in Rio de Janeiro (read our itinerary here). Told from the perspective of 4 year old Jordyn and 3 year old Kennedy your children will learn about the culture of Brazil and follow along the girls as they visit various landmarks. The book is guaranteed to have you wanting to book your own trip to Rio de Janeiro. You can purchase the book on Amazon here. You can follow along our other adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
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Payton Goes to London by Shayla and Payton McGhee
Payton is a bright and energetic six-year-old that is taking her first trip to London, England. Follow her and her family as they visit popular London landmarks such as the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Big Ben. A perfect travel book for kids and the first in a globetrotting series, Payton’s adventure will ignite your child’s curiosity about visiting different countries around the world and the popular sights to see while there.
Payton Goes to London was written to build curiosity for travel among young children, dispel the stereotype that African-American families do not travel abroad, and inspire other families to explore the world with their little ones. Follow Payton’s adventures on Instagram!
Follow the Takeoff Toddler to Cairo by Imani Bates
Follow The Takeoff Toddler is a series in the making with its first installment released in 2019. The books follow a character made in the likeness of the authors son, Nasir. It documents his families travels around the world, starting with Cairo! His mom, Imani Bates wrote this book to introduce children of color to the world of travel. The reading level varies from 3rd to 5th grade depending on the strength of the child’s reading! Yet, the book is still great for ALL! You can buy the book on Etsy Instagram. Follow along Nasir’s other adventures and life living abroad in China on Instagram.
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Captain Carson Goes to Bali by TeAndra Taylor and Carson Taylor
Captain Carson Goes to Bali is part one of the Captain Carson children’s book series written by mother son duo TeAndra and Carson. Carson has been to 11 countries and 18 states. Anytime the Taylor’s travel, TeAndra would look for books to introduce him to their destination. It was hard to find books with little kids who looked like Carson so they decided to create their own. Captain Carson Goes to Bali can be bought on Amazon and you can follow their adventures on Instagram.
The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete by Serena Minott
The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete tell the stories of a little girl named Aya, who travels the world with her parents and her buddy, Pete. Aya and Pete are always ready for the adventure and excitement of exploring a new place. The Amazing Adventures of Aya & Pete in Paris features highlights and interesting aspects of the city – geography, language, food, culture, currency and key landmarks – through fun exchanges between Aya and Pete. Purchase your copy of the book Amazon. Follow along Aya’s other adventures on Instagram.
Titan and The Worldschoolers Book by Tai Travels
Join Titan and his Mom as they travel on an adventure around the world from ‘A’ through to ‘Z’. Their book, Titan and The Worldschoolers gives us a glimpse of what ‘World-Schooling’ is all about! Read this kids book to learn more about homeschooling and how you can make learning fun. You can buy it here on Amazon. In addition to the book Tai Travels also has a corresponding activity book. This is the perfect way to entertain your child on your way to your next adventure. The exciting games also contain historical facts and stories bound to keep your child learning new things. It can also be bought here on Amazon.
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The Traveling Toddler Goes to Series by JD Boumah
The Traveling Toddler Goes to Series follows along the journey of toddler JD Boumah. There are currently two books in the series, The Traveling Toddler Goes to the Dominican Republic and the award winning The Traveling Toddler Goes to the Dominican Republic. Both books can be bought onAmazon. Follow along JD’s other adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
These five travel-themed books by black authors are bound to have your little ones excited about your next adventure. Do you have other books to recommend? Please drop them in the comments. If you found this article helpful please share it!
This is incredible! I love that so many children and parents are seeing the world and documenting their experiences of all that God has created. Thank you Traveling Toddler JD Boumah and all the other little Kings and Queens, Parents, and families who are doing the thing! You guys rock! #inspired #travel #amazingkids #amazingparents
I love all of them, but next time please include my book Puppy Princess Sheba Goes to Africa!!!
https://amzn.to/399T5fK
Amazing! Thank you parents for sharing the world with your children through actual traveling and making the experience a book. What a hands-on learning experience.
Keep writing Traveling Toddler!
Thanks for the recommendations! It is amazing to see and conquer fears of traveling with kids. This is indeed a movement. We are living in a global world and it is great when kids can experience it through reading and traveling!