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The best books for adventurous kids

Inspire adventures big and small with these riveting reads.

Published: 27/03/2022

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Want to raise a ripper, inspire a love for the great outdoors or educate a wannabe explorer? Whether you have a toddler, a teen, or someone in between, these stories and guide books are guaranteed to ignite a sense of adventure.

Under 7s

While You Were Sleeping by John Butler

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My children loved this book as a comforting bedtime read when they were little. Rich illustrations and a simple, cosy story gently inspires tiny imaginations to dream of a big wide world full of natural wonder.

Topsy and Tim: Go Camping by Jean and Gareth Adamson

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You can’t beat a good Topsy and Tim tale for stories tots can relate too and this one is perfect for instilling excitement in first-time campers.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury

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A deserved classic about a family whose adventures take them through forests, meadows and caves. Once read a few times, this catchy tale will turn even the most mundane of family walks into one big adventure.

You Choose by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt

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Each page has a smorgasbord of witty options for children to pick from to design their own adventure. Will you travel to a volcano or a desert island? Will you fly there in a hot air balloon or roll up on a skateboard? Will you be an archaeologist or a diver? A world of exciting opportunities open up (although I guarantee your child will relish in choosing the same option every time!).

Age 7-9

Tintin in Tibet by Hergé

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Awaken wanderlust with the action-packed adventures of young journalist Tintin and his dog Snowy as they trek into the Himalayas to search for a friend who may have survived a plane crash. 

Journey to Jo’burg: A South African Story by Beverley Naidoo

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Give kids a glimpse into the landscapes and culture of South Africa with this story of thirteen-year-old Naledi and her younger brother, Tiro, who leave their village to find their mother in Johannesburg. A story of the human spirit against the background of South Africa's apartheid.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lingren

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Introduce your kids to free-spirited Pippi and they’ll be soon be dreaming up all kids of adventures. Nine year old Pippi is an unpredictable and daring character who lives alone with a monkey, a horse and likes to live her life outside the rules.

Age 10-13

Hatchet by Gary Paulson

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A soul-stirring survival story Brian Robeson spends 54 gut-wrenching days in the Canadian wilderness. With a hatchet as his only means of survival, Brian must summon his courage and attune to nature if he wants to live. on the path to adventure.

Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson

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A contemporary classic that follows free-spirited Maia, 13, as she leaves England to start a new life with distant relatives in colourful, exotic Manaus.

The Explorer by Katherine Rundell

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This exciting adventure story of four children fighting for survival in the Amazon conjures up vivid images of dreamed-about locations. Brilliantly developed characters leap off the page and suspenseful storytelling will keep would-be explorers on the edge of their seat.

Age 13+

The Call of the Wild  by Jack London

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The ultimate adventure novel told through the eyes of a sled dog named Buck. A powerful book about survival, the bond between man and dog and the harshness of nature.

Waymaking, edited by Helen Mort, Claire Carter, Heather Dawe and Camilla Barnard (£17.99, Vertebrate) 

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An anthology of poems, prose and artwork that celebrates women in outdoor adventure. The inspiring adventurers explore the ways in which they connect themselves with the landscapes they cross, climb and absorb.

Diary of a Young Naturalist by Dara McAnulty

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An intimate nature journal chronicalling a year in the life of 15 year old Dan McAnulty. Beautifully-written, the book vividly explores the natural world from the perspective of an autistic teenager juggling homework and friendships alongside his life as a conservationist and naturalist, revealing  McAnulty’s love of the wild and his ability to use nature as medicine.

Age 16+

On the Road, Jack Kerouac

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The book that encapsulated the Beat Generation, On the Road is novel of freedom and longing about two friends who travel around the United States and Mexico on a quest for self-knowledge and hedonistic experience.

The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd

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A must-read for mountain lovers, Shepherd’s beautiful prose shows us what it is like to be in nature. Unlike most mountain literature, which has the summit as its goal, this book offers insights into the sights, smells and sounds of being immersed in the experience of exploring.

The Adventurer’s Guide to Britain: 150 incredible experiences on land and water by Jen and Sim Benson

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Whether you fancy swimming through Durdle Door, scrambling Gordale Scar or a more challenging multi-activity adventure, this guide contains everything you need to do it. Bursting with ideas and practical advice there is adventure-a-plenty in here for everyone.

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

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A personal tale of an Everest Expedition which went terribly wrong. Despite the tragedy the unfolded, this account is some of the most eloquent and graceful adventure writing out there.

The Natural Navigator by Tristan Gooley

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Packed with fascinating tips and tricks that will hone your observation skills and put you in step with nature, helping adventurers feel ready for anything outdoors.

 

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