Books to Read When... You're Going on a Journey

Summer is a time for journeying. Whether you are traveling near, far, or just through a good book from the comfort of your sofa, take time to broaden your horizons with these picture book suggestions.

A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet

Written by Martha Brockenbrough

Illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2025. Informational.

The unorthodox journey of dust is showcased in A Gift of Dust. Dust seemingly lifeless, is actually responsible for nourshing much of life on Earth as it travels. So watch as it starts in Chad, West Africa, as winds carry it across the continent, over the Atlantic ocean, to replenish the Amazon rain forest and beyond.

Sunday

By Marcelo Tolentino

San Francisco, CA : Blue Dot Kids Press, 2025. Picture Book.

Journey into Martin's imagination with his faithful dog companion, Maize. Follow along as they cross frozen tundras and arid deserts, encounter a sacred beast, and fearsome pirates. Readers will enjoy looking for the clues within the landscapes that hint at what Martin may be using in real life to spark his fantastic voyage.

On All Fours

By Gaëtan Dorémus

Brooklyn, NY: Enchanted Lion Books, 2025. Picture Book.

A young bear is stretching his independance by exploring on all fours the natural world around him. From meadow to stream and everything in between, sometimes the journey doesn't have to go far to feel big.

The Voyage

Written by Stéphane Servant

Illustrated by Audrey Spiry

Vancouver; Berkeley; London: Aldana Libros / Greystone Kids, 2024. Picture Book.

Our heroine was born with a spirit of adventure --always looking toward the unknown horizon. Her journey through life (chronicled with swirling, lush illustrations) is full of courage, strength, and love and always reiterates the importance of the journey itself not the destination.

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Painting for Peace in Ferguson

Painting for Peace in Ferguson By Carol Swartout Klein Treehouse Publishing Group, 2015. Nonfiction. When the city of Ferguson was overrun with so much hate and despair that homes and businesses had to be boarded up to protect property, citizens of the community decided to bring a message of hope by painting the boarded windows. Klein’s rhyming text supports the photographs of the hundreds of artists and volunteers and their artwork as they bring the messages of peace, hope, love, and that by being united they can make a difference. A great book to show children how a community rallied to make a positive change and that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. A great discussion opener on how we should treat each other.

Dragon Run

Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews Scholastic, 2013. 336 pgs. Fantasy Al Pilgrommor is excited for Testing Day, when he will receive his rank, a tattooed number on the back of his neck, and a path forward to his future occupation and life. He feels confident because his parents were fours on a scale of seven, but he is worried for his friend Wisp who doesn't have much of a chance of scoring above a two at best. But when Al is scored a zero, he not only has no prospects, he may lose his life as the dreaded Cullers are unleashed to kill him and his family to purify the land's bloodlines. Al's world is ruled by dragons--the lords and supposed creators of humankind--so he thinks that even if he survives, he will have to make his living as a beggar or thief. But when Al sticks up for his Earther friend in front of Magister Ludi, he is drawn into the struggle of a secret organization hoping to destroy the Cullers, and perhaps the dragons them...

Review: Growing Home

Growing Home Written by Beth Ferry Illustrated by The Fan Brothers New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2025. Fiction. 261 pages. This book has some entertaining characters! We get to read about Toasty, the goldfish who loves to eat cheese puffs, Ivy, a plant with magical powers, and Arthur, the spider who ends up with a broken leg. Jillian is the main human character in the book. She loves Toasty and Ivy, and would probably love Arthur, too, but she doesn't know about him....yet. Her parents own an antique shop, but they are facing some economic hardship. This charming story is about magic, teamwork, and friendship. I loved that there were all kinds of shenanigans happening. While we are on a journey where the fish, the plant, the spider, and the girl are working to solve one mystery after another, the author beautifully guides us to the realization that words are powerful, friendships can heal hearts, and books have their own magic power to help in all kinds ...

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