Books About Water · 400 titles considered

The Best Water Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about water? 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.

A Long Walk to Water
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Water

Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2010

A Long Walk to Water

By Linda Sue Park

Two Sudanese children face perilous journeys for survival and hope.

128 pages· 20,925 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 107,590 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2021

Unsettled

A girl navigates a new life in America, facing cultural challenges and sibling rivalry in her quest for belonging.

352 pages
4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,802 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2003

The Tail of Emily Windsnap

By Liz Kessler, Sarah Gibb (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Emily Windsnap series

A girl discovers she's half mermaid and dives into a quest to find her father.

224 pages· 44,146 words· Est. 6 hour read
3.9/5 Goodreads · 29,672 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2009

Gilbert, the Surfer Dude

A beach day turns tricky when fears and forgotten suits collide.

32 pages· 522 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
3.6/5 Goodreads · 110 ratings
$4.99Save 5%
Picture Book · Ages 6–10 · 2021

Sakamoto's Swim Club

By Julie Abery, Chris Sasaki (Illustrator)

A teacher transforms plantation kids into Olympic swimmers using innovative techniques.

40 pages· 165 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
6.3/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 487 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Jabari Jumps

A young boy faces his fears and learns to jump off a diving board with the help of his dad.

32 pages· 464 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 5,633 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%
Board Book · Ages 2–6 · 2015

The Whale in My Swimming Pool

A boy finds a whale in his pool and must find a way to share the space.

32 pages
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 911 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Board Book · Ages 6–8 · 2019

Let's Dive into the Ocean

Dive into ocean depths and uncover hidden wonders.

24 pages
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.6/5 Goodreads · 9 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2017

Over and Under the Pond

A mother and child explore the world above and below a pond.

48 pages· 441 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.6/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,630 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
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Browse by age

Water Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

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

Bath! Bath! Bath!

Ages 3–6 · 2018

Discover the joy of bath time with playful rhymes and splashes.

O Is for Ocean

Ages 0–3 · 2020

Explore the ocean's wonders from A to Z.

My First 100 Nature Words

Ages 1–3 · 2020

Introduce your child to 100 essential nature words in a vibrant board book.

The Biggest Kiss

Ages 2–4 · 2010

Discover how animals share kisses in this delightful journey of affection.

Ocean

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Dive into ocean wonders with curious infants exploring marine life and ecosystems.

Who's Hiding at the Beach?

Ages 2–5 · 2019

Discover hidden seaside creatures in this interactive adventure.

Ocean Life
Sale price
$899

Ocean Life

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Discover ocean wonders with your toddler in this engaging board book.

Fruits in Suits

Ages 1–3 · 2018

Can fruits wear business suits to the beach?

Ruby & Rufus
Sale price
$999

Ruby & Rufus

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Goslings face a frozen pond. Is it a new adventure or a challenge?

Baby Oceanographer
Sale price
$899

Baby Oceanographer

Ages 1–3 · 2019

Dive into ocean wonders with Baby Oceanographer's underwater adventure.

Llama Llama Let's Clean Up the Pond!

Ages 2–5 · 2022

Can Llama Llama save the pond before the boat float?

Maisy Learns to Swim

Ages 2–5 · 1990

First swim lesson: will Maisy conquer her fear of the water?

View all water board books
Browse by age

Water Picture Books

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

Shark Nate-O

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A shark-loving boy must learn to swim to prove himself in a sibling showdown.

Lottie & Walter

Ages 4–7 · 2019

A girl fears a pool shark until a new friend changes everything.

Planet Earth

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Explore Earth's wonders through intricate paper cutouts.

Bear Came Along

Ages 5–6 · 2019

A group of animals embark on a journey together along a river.

King of the Tightrope

Ages 6–10 · 2019

A daring tightrope walk across Niagara Falls tests courage and ingenuity.

Das Meer

Ages 5–8 · 2019

Explore the ocean's wonders and learn how to protect them from human impact.

How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals

Ages 4–8 · 2009

Discover the secrets behind winning eight Olympic golds.

Water Is Water

Ages 6–10 · 2015

Explore water's journey through its many forms in a poetic adventure.

Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$699

Eva at the Beach

Ages 5–7 · 2021

A young owl named Eva goes on a beach vacation with her family and friends, where she faces her fears and makes new discoveries.

Water Land
Sale price
$1799

Water Land

Ages 3–6 · 2018

Discover how water shapes land with a simple page turn.

I Am Farmer

Ages 7–11 · 2019

A gardener's dream turns into a nation's hope for clean water and lush gardens.

Rivers

Ages 7–12 · 2018

Explore the world's rivers and uncover the stories they tell about our planet.

Browse by age

Water Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about water for developing and independent readers.

Who Was Jacques Cousteau?

Ages 8–11 · 2015

The life of Jacques Cousteau, a French naval officer, explorer, and filmmaker who revolutionized underwater exploration and conservation.

The Magic School Bus At the Waterworks

Ages 4–8 · 1986

Embark on a watery adventure with a magical school bus and its curious passengers.

Rebels with a Cause

Ages 9–12 · 2019

Kid geniuses tackle a global water crisis while evading a sinister corporation's kidnapping attempts.

Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean
Sale price
$1699

Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean

Ages 3–5 · 2013

Dive into the ocean's wonders with fascinating sea creatures.

Swim Team

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Can Bree conquer her fear of water to save her school's swim team?

A Splash of Forever

Ages 6–8 · 2008

A girl must conquer her fear of water with the help of a mysterious kitten.

Where Is Niagara Falls?

Ages 8–11 · 2015

Discover the daring feats and mysterious future of Niagara Falls.

Flip Turns

Ages 9–13 · 2022

Maddie's pool is under attack. Is her persistent admirer to blame?

Captain Awesome Takes a Dive

Ages 5–9 · 2012

A young superhero must protect his swimming class from quirky villains.

Emily Windsnap and the Falls of Forgotten Island

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A vacation turns into a quest to fulfill a prophecy and prevent disaster on a hidden island.

Live and Let Swim

Ages 7–10 · 2014

A group of kids and their pets try to solve a mystery at a TV show audition.

Thirst

Ages 10–12 · 2022

A girl uncovers a water mafia in Mumbai, risking everything to expose them.

Keep exploring
Books about swimmingBooks about facing fearsBooks about immigration and emigrationBooks about mermaidsBooks about refugeesBooks about secretsBooks about shipwrecksBooks about sibling rivalry

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