Book Lists: Boston

Before a vacation, we like to check books out of our local library to get the kids excited about where we are going and what we might do. Our recent trip to Boston was no exception. Our favorite Boston picks:

• Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey: In this classic story, Mrs. Mallard shepards her ducklings from the Charles River to the Boston Public Garden with the help of a friendly policeman named Michael. If you only read one book before going to Boston, choose this one. There is a statue of Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings in the Public Garden that children flock to. This is my all-time favorite children’s book.

• We’re Off To Harvard Square by Sage Stossel: This is a great picture book to introduce all that Harvard Square has to offer, from the unique stores to the medley of food to the street performers.

• You Can’t Take a Balloon Into The Museum Of Fine Arts by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman: In this picture book, a little girl gives her balloon to her grandmother while she visits the museum. While the little girl views several famous works of art, her grandmother dashes through the streets of Boston trying to get the loose balloon. This book highlights not only some of the works in the Museum of Fine Arts, but also several Boston favorite sights in a fun, relatable way.

• Goodnight, Boston by Adam Gamble and Joe Veno: This board book is a good introduction to Boston. It is heavy on the sports teams, but hits many other highlights as well (including Boston harbor, swan boats, and Old Ironsides).

• Journey Around Boston From A to Z by Martha Day Zschock: This book is packed full of Boston information and sites to see. While the little ones may not have the patience to read the whole book in one sitting, it’s a good reference for parents, and the youngest ones like to look through the pictures and see which site corresponds to which letter.

• Hello Boston by Martha Day Zschock: A board book for the littlest ones by the same author who wrote Journey Around Boston. This is a fun one to bring when you are out and about exploring the city, because it doesn’t take up a lot of room, and the kids like seeing things they recognize from the book.

• Zachary’s Ball by Matt Tavares: When Zachary’s father gives him a foul ball caught at Fenway, the ball becomes a magical gateway for this little Red Sox fan. This is a great read if a trip to Fenway is on your list, and also for any baseball fan. My husband tears up when reading this (don’t let him know I told you..)

• Let It Begin Here! Lexington And Concord: First Battles of the Revolution by Dennis Brindell Fradin: This is one that you may want to scan before reading to your kids, as it does describe the battles and there are illustrations of the fighting scenes. G loves this book, and even brought it to show to the reenactors at the Old North Bridge. It does a good job of presenting a clear, understandable timeline and explanation of the first battles of the Revolution. 

• The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, graved and painted by Christopher Bing: Although much of the poem may go over the heads of the younger crowd, the cadence and rhythm of this poem made even my 11 month old pause to listen. There are many editions of the poem, but I recommend the one with Bing’s captivating paintings. 

• Arthur To The Rescue by Marc Brown: The Boston Children’s Museum has an Arthur exhibit, as well as a large balloon in the shape of Arthur on top of the building, so reading an Arthur book is a fun way to get the kids excited about the museum.

• Curious George Takes a Job by H. A. Rey: If you plan to visit the world’s only Curious George store while in Cambridge, your kids would undoubtedly enjoy reading another Curious George book.