If you’re teaching a unit on mountain habitats, or just need a good read, here are some of our favorite mountain books for kids. (And be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for an extra mountain-themed surprise!).
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I have this weird obsessive quirk where my brain categorizes things in themes. A quote or art piece will inspire me (hello, Hobby Lobby) and then suddenly I’m seeing that “theme” everywhere. And then my brain starts coming up with analogies and art projects for the kids, and looking up every children’s book or podcast on the subject.
Lately the theme that keeps entering my life is about mountains. Maybe it’s because I’ve been feeling like life has been throwing me a lot of “uphill battles” and there’s a lesson I’m supposed to be learning from these mountains. To quote Miley Cyrus, “It’s not about what’s waiting on the other side. . . it’s the climb.” I need to push forward with faith to move those mountains.
If you’re teaching a unit on mountain habitats, are looking for a good object lesson or just need a good read, here are some of our favorite books about mountains for kids. (And be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for an extra mountain-themed surprise!).
OUR FAVORITE MOUNTAIN BOOKS FOR KIDS
On the Mountain by Libby Walden, illustrated by Clover Robin
This is the first on my mountain book list because we’re currently obsessed with it. I’m not normally drawn to pop-up books because they can be fragile for little hands, but I adore Clover Robin’s paper-pieced illustration style (reminds me a bit of Eric Carle’s painted-paper art). And I am SO glad I picked up this title.
The intricate illustrations do not disappoint, and the super-fun pop-up pages captivate kids as they read/listen to simple facts about animals in the mountain habitat. It’s the kind of book I’ll keep on a “special” shelf, reserved for couch-time snuggles and reading-time with mom.
Mountains of the World by Dieter Braun
Here’s another title that immediately drew us in with its striking angular graphics. The lavish illustrations immersed us in the celebration of mountains all over the world. Discover the animals of these rocky peaks, as well as the brave travelers who challenged their great heights. This nonfiction picture book is a must-have for mountain-themed learning.
Over on a Mountain: Somewhere in the World by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jill Dubin
Discover twenty mountain animals, ten mountain ranges, and seven continents — all in one story! And do it in a fun, interactive way through clapping, counting, singing, and acting like . . . well, animals!
Colorful World: Mountain by Nastja Holtfreter
The mountain version is just of one of the board books in the “Colorful World” series and is so cute for toddlers and preschoolers. Each page has a collection of mountain animals, a puzzle to solve (and a little something to learn about nature at the same time!). As pre-readers find all the differences in this colorful mountain world, they’ll strengthen their visual discrimination skills — a skill necessary when learning to read.
1001 Animals to Spot by G. Doherty
With WAY more than just mountain animals — I had to include this one in the list of mountain books because looking at, searching for, and counting the animals in the Mountain Animal spread was such a fun activity during our preschool mountain theme.
Really though, I’m crazy about all the titles in the 1001 Things to Spot series and you will most likely find one in my car, purse, church bag, and anywhere else I can think of. The seek-and-find books are SO great for down times with the kids when we have to wait (dr. appointment, restaurant, car ride, etc.). This animal title is a fun way to learn the names of many, many different animals and the habitats they live in.
1,000 Things in Nature by Hannah Watson
Dear heavens, this is another series we adore and I had to include on the mountain book list because there is a beautifully illustrated spread of nature “things” you’d find in the mountains. We used this book as a study guide during our preschool mountain-theme to learn the names of plants, animals, flowers, and other things we might find in nature if we took a walk through the mountains.
Everest by Sangma Francis, illustrated by Lisk Feng
For the older kids, check out this book on Mount Everest. Every year hundreds of people dare to climb the Earth’s highest peak. But there is so much more to this mountain than the brave mountaineers who climb it. Full of stunning illustrations and mountain facts — this non-fiction picture book is suggested for grades 3-7.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
We probably can’t have a list of mountain books without including the classic young adult novel. In 1959, Jean Craighead George published My Side of the Mountain, a coming-of-age story about a boy and his falcon which went on to win a Newbery Honor. Try reading aloud with the family, or listening on Audible . . . possibly while coloring the peaks of some mountain coloring pages!
DOWNLOAD & PRINT A MOUNTAIN COLORING PAGE
One of my secret weapons for exposing my kids to lots of books is to keep their hands busy during read-aloud time so that they will listen better. Coloring pages are a great way to do this! And these detailed mountain coloring pages are the perfect compliment to a favorite mountain book for kids. Download and print yours!
Any favorite “mountain” books I missed?
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST ABOUT MOUNTAIN BOOKS, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY THESE:
- Snowy Mountain Cookie Recipe (a fun snack after reading a mountain book!)
- Torn Paper Mountains (art project tutorial)
- Mountains: Preschool Plans and Printables