Books About Boats · 205 titles considered

The Best Boats Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about boats? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Voyage to Magical North
Lifeboat 12
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Boats

Sale price
$2659
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Voyage to Magical North

By Claire Fayers · The Accidental Pirates series

A girl with a forgotten past joins a pirate quest to a mythical land, risking sea monsters and secrets.

320 pages· 73,104 words· Est. 10 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 774 ratings
$27.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2015

What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig

A story about a pig in a wig and her friends on a boat.

40 pages· 185 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
3.8/5 Goodreads · 996 ratings
$10.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2018

Boats on the Bay

Explore a bustling bay filled with diverse boats and vibrant scenes.

40 pages
6.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 157 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

The Sea Knows

Uncover the ocean's secrets and its mysterious creatures in a lyrical journey beneath the waves.

48 pages
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 126 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Ocean Meets Sky

By Terry Fan (Author/Illustrator), Eric Fan (Author/Illustrator)

A boy sails to find where the ocean meets the sky.

48 pages· 301 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,912 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Board Book · Ages 1–4 · 2011

Ahoy, Li'l Buccaneers!

Join young pirates on a high-seas adventure full of treasure and fun.

18 pages
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·3.1/5 Goodreads · 18 ratings
$6.95Save 3%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2018

Yellow Kayak

By Nina Laden, Melissa Castrillón (Illustrator), Melissa Castrillon (Illustrator)

A boy and his friend embark on an unexpected sea adventure full of wonder.

32 pages
5.4/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 846 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Lifeboat 12
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–13 · 2018

Lifeboat 12

By Susan Hood · Book #1 in the Lifeboat series

A torpedo attack leaves a boy stranded on a lifeboat. Can he survive?

326 pages· 26,260 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 5,518 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

The Star Thief

A maid is thrust into a battle between mythical constellations and a steamship crew seeking their power.

416 pages· 74,657 words· Est. 10.5 hour read
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 819 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 2012

Words Set Me Free

A young boy discovers the power of words on his journey to freedom.

32 pages· 1,636 words· Est. 13 min read-aloud
5.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 477 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
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Browse by age

Boats Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about boats for the youngest readers and listeners.

Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee

Ages 3–7 · 2000

A playful whale sends Mr. Magee and his dog flying. How will they return to the sea?

Sheep on a Ship

Ages 0–3 · 1989

Sheep embark on a pirate ship adventure.

Peter Hops Aboard

Ages 3–5 · 2020

Peter Rabbit struggles to build a raft alone. Can he learn to ask for help?

Who Sank the Boat?
Sale price
$699

Who Sank the Boat?

Ages 2–5 · 1982

Five friends set out on a boat. Who's to blame when it sinks?

Toy Boat

Ages 0–2 · 2007

A toy boat braves the open waters, facing challenges to find its way back home.

Little Bear's Little Boat

Ages 2–6 · 2004

A bear outgrows his beloved boat. What will he do next?

Boat Book

Ages 0–3 · 1983

Discover the world of boats and their many uses in this vibrant board book.

Moby-Dick
Sale price
$1199

Moby-Dick

Ages 0–3 · 2013

Discover the ocean's secrets through a playful sea adventure.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Ages 0–2 · 2003

Babies and toys row down a stream in a playful rhyme adventure.

Boats Go

Ages 0–2 · 2015

Join 8 noisy boats on a lively, sound-filled water adventure.

The Little Sailboat
Sale price
$799

The Little Sailboat

Ages 0–3 · 1937

A sailor and his dog face a storm at sea.

Ship
Sale price
$699

Ship

Ages 0–3 · 1995

Embark on a rhyming sea adventure with a ship and tugboat.

View all boats board books
Browse by age

Boats Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about boats for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections: Man-Of-War

Ages 8–11 · 1990

Explore the hidden world of an 18th-century warship.

The Maggie B.

Ages 4–8 · 1975

A girl's dream voyage on her namesake boat becomes reality. Who joins her?

Fireboat
Sale price
$999

Fireboat

Ages 5–8 · 2002

An old fireboat is called back to action during a city crisis.

The Raft

Ages 4–8 · 2000

A magical raft transforms a boy's summer, revealing hidden talents and unexpected bonds.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$2199

The Wanderer

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A lone paper boat braves the ocean's wonders and perils, discovering strength in solitude.

The Circus Ship

Ages 4–8 · 2009

A circus ship sinks off the coast of Maine, leaving its animals to fend for themselves on a nearby island.

Ready, Set, Sail!

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Set sail with a tiger and turtle on a sea adventure full of surprises.

The Secret Of Black Rock

Ages 3–7 · 2017

A mysterious Black Rock threatens boats. Can Erin uncover its secrets?

Sea Story

Ages 3–6 · 1990

Mice embark on a sailing adventure with a crucial mission before returning home.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Ages 5–9 · 2017

A young mouse learns to adapt to the changing weather and appreciate its importance for the environment and her community

The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower, or John Howland's Good Fortune

Ages 6–10 · 2015

An indentured servant's survival on the Mayflower leads to unexpected challenges in a new world.

The Legend of the Golden Snail

Ages 5–7 · 2010

A boy seeks a legendary ship, cursed and hidden at the world's end.

Browse by age

Boats Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about boats for developing and independent readers.

Crossing on Time

Ages 8–11 · 2019

Discover the steamship's evolution and its impact on ocean travel.

Emily Windsnap and the Ship of Lost Souls

Ages 8–11 · 2015

A young girl discovers a mysterious ship and must navigate a magical world to rescue its passengers.

The Mayflower

Ages 8–12 · 2020

Uncover the hidden truths behind the Mayflower and the first Thanksgiving.

The Treasure of Maria Mamoun

Ages 8–12 · 2016

A lonely girl discovers a mysterious map and a summer of secrets on an island.

The San Francisco Splash

Ages 6–9 · 2013

A missing World Series ring and a man overboard spark a mystery at the ballpark.

The Lion's Paw

Ages 8–12 · 1946

Rediscover a classic children's adventure from 1946.

The Ship of the Dead
Sale price
$999

The Ship of the Dead

Ages 10–14 · 2017

Magnus must stop Loki's deadly ship from launching and prevent Ragnarok.

Mayflower Treasure Hunt

Ages 7–9 · 2007

A lost sapphire necklace from the Mayflower sparks a thrilling treasure hunt.

Dash

Ages 8–11 · 2014

A young dog named Dash travels with his master and other English colonists to the New World, where they establish the Plymouth Colony and interact with the local Wampanoag tribe.

Saturdays at Sea

Ages 8–11 · 2017

A young princess and her family embark on a journey to find the last remaining unicorns.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Clear the Decks

Ages 6–9 · 2010

A man and his cat go on a sightseeing boat tour with their neighbors to alleviate their boredom.

Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims

Ages 8–12 · 2013

Time-traveling teacher explores America's past with a talking horse.

Keep exploring
Books about boats, ships and underwater vehiclesBooks about friendshipBooks about journeys and voyagesBooks about magicBooks about piratesBooks about secretsBooks about transportation

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