20 Sailing/Boat-Themed Books for Kids
Looking for inspiration for kids boat-themed books?
January 30, 2025
Curate A Library For Cruising Kids
Books are one of the easiest ways to introduce children to sailing. Entertaining young children on a boat is no mean feat, and books are a great way to spark their interest in boats. Our book selection span all ages, from flap-up picture books for babies to elementary children.
Although it is almost impossible to put an age range on books, we have provided you with a rough age reading guide. Sometimes, pictures alone can capture kids' interest, supported by rhythmical texts, and entertain tiny babies even before they understand the meaning of the words. Busy toddlers rarely sit through a whole book; even if they move all over the place, they are still taking it in.
1. Old Wood Boat - by Nikki McClure
This renowned West Coast artist's book featured beautiful cut-paper illustrations. Raise the sails and follow the wind across the green sea in this captivating lyrical prose. Reading age: 4-8 years.
2. Little Blue Boat -by Ginger Swift
A picture book with lift-a-flap board books for babies and young toddlers to learn about all kinds of ocean animals. Reading age: 4-8 years.
3. Those Sugar-Barge Kids - by Jon Tucker
It is a fast-paced, triumphant tale of adventure about three Tasmanian children chasing a couple of kids who live on an old barge in New Zealand's Bay of Islands. Reading age: 9 - 14 years.
4. Scuppers The Sailor Dog- by Margaret Wise Brown and Garth Williams.
A book suited to pre-scholars. Scuppers was born at sea but lives on a farm and wants to be a sailor. He cruises into the deep blue ocean, but his ship gets wrecked! Scupper overcomes his obstacles, fixes his boat, and thrives. Reading age: 1-3 years.
5. The Ship of Cloud and Stars -by Amy Raphael
Nico Cloud desperately wants to be an explorer, but her parents think adventures aren't for girls. However, Nico chases a kitten aboard a ship, and the boat sails out to sea! Reading age 9-11 years. Reading age: 9 years and upwards.
6. Goodnight Ocean -by Adam Gamble
A simple picture book to guide children through various sea creatures and boats, ending with a beautiful starlight ocean. Reading age: 1-2 years.
7. Octopus's Garden-by Ringo Starr and Ben Cort
Based on the world-famous Beatles song lyrics, this glorious picture book follows five children on a magical journey through the Octopus's garden. Reading age: 1-3
8. Ten Little Pirates -Mike Brownlow and Simon Rickerty
A great book for helping kids learn to count. Count along with the Ten Little Pirates in this action-packed, counting rhyme adventure. Reading age: 1-3 years.
9. Tiddler - by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler
Strictly speaking, this is not a boat book per se. It's a sea-themed tale with a moral message underscoring why you should not lie. The illustrations are beautiful, and the rhyming text appeals to children not old enough to understand the meaning behind the words. My son Austin can testify this is a winner! Even though he rarely sits through the whole book, the variety of words is good for him, as well as the names of marine creatures.
Other Julia Donaldson marine-related books include Sharing a Shell and the Snail and the Whale.
Above: Tiddler is a story-telling fish. This rhyming book will help to get your child to engage with the ocean and learn different sea creatures. Image via Amazon.
10. Boats -by Byron Barton
A chunky board book to help children learn different types of boats, from fishing boats, sailboats, tugs, rowboats, etc. Reading age 1-3.
11. Once Upon a Tide -by Tony Mitton and Selina Young
It is an adventure story with sweet hand-drawn illustrations of ships, pirates, and buried treasure. The reading age range is baby to five years.
12. Jack and the Flumflum Tree - by Julia Donaldson and David Roberts
It is a story about a young boy's perilous voyage. The sentiment of this book is that if you are resourceful, you can overcome obstacles. Reading age: 4-7 years.
13. A Sailing Boat in the Sky -by Quentin Blake
Aided by a wounded stork, they sail through the sky, encountering scenes of despair and devastation, and set about righting some of the wrongs in the world. Reading age: Four plus.
Above: Quentin combines addressing humanitarian issues with imagination. Image via Amazon.
14. The Flotsam Fairy - by Mark Fraser
This pirate crew works as a team and helps others to safety. It includes some technical boat terminology. Reading age: Five plus.
15. Louis the Lifeboat: The Little Lost Whale by Gordon Volke
If you are a cruising family looking to make boat safety fun, this book is a great choice. The reading age is 4 - 8 years.
17. Swallows and Amazons - by Arthur Ransome
It is a treasured tale of youthful adventure, with two families exploring lakes, camping, and having exciting rivalries aboard their dinghies. Reading age: 8-12 years.
18. Go Sailing - by Claudia Myatt
This educational book is a great introduction to help children understand sailing theory. The cartoons help explain the basics and prepare kids for their first boating experience. Reading age: Eight plus.
Published by the RYA.
19. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader -by CS Lewis
It is a beautifully written tale of a magical seafaring adventure with colorful characters. Reading age: 7 plus.
20. Brilliant Boats- by Tony Mitton
A jolly book features sailing boats, rowing boats, ferries, and motor boats: find them all and learn how they work in this picture book with an ocean liner crewed by animals for a rhyming journey. Reading age: 2-5 years.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out our guide to the best sailing movies or 25 best books for boaters and sailors.
