These awesome picture books about U.S. cities are just what you and your family need to help prepare for your next trip! Whether the trip is for real or only in your imagination these twenty-two beautifully designed children's books will make you feel like you are right there in New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Boston!
Children's books are a great learning tool to introduce and get kids excited about these major U.S. Cities. Geography can be pretty boring, but this list of children's books are colorful and fun that introduce kids to exciting tourist attractions for kids like harbor seals at the San Francisco Pier, sports stadiums, and the carousel in Central Park.
A lot of the books use the ABC or counting 123 format to tell about the cities, which is a style most kids enjoy. There are also pop-up books, search and find books and lift the flap books to engage young readers. All of the books in our Picture Books about U.S. Cities book list have fun facts, city specific vocabulary and cute, fun and modern illustrations.
This post contains affiliated links for your convenience. I received My First Book about New York free for review purposes, however I only write about products I love and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. For more information see Legal.
NEW YORK CITY
MY FIRST BOOK OF NEW YORK by Ingela P. Arrhenius
What's not to love about this beautifully designed book about New York City from Candlewick Press? Author and Illustrator Ingela P. Arrhenius uses colorful and modern illustrations to give the reader a tour of the big apple and it's major attractions. My First Book of New York includes areas of the city like Time Square, Broadway, Brooklyn, and Central Park, but also includes specific places within these areas like Belvedere Castle, Coney Island and the Lincoln Center. This fun and informative word book also includes food, people, art and transportation that you would find in New York City.
I've been to New York many times, but have never had a chance to see a lot of these things. Reading My First Book of New York makes me excited to bring my kids to New York for the first time and check out some of the fun places mentioned in the book!
POP-UP NEW YORK by Lonely Planet Kids
A WALK IN NEW YORK by Salvatore Rubbino
SEE INSIDE NEW YORK CITY (AN USBORNE FLAP BOOK) by Jonathan Melmoth
PHILADELPHIA
123 PHILADELPHIA (A COOL COUNTING BOOK) by Puk
More cities in the 'A Cool Counting Book series' include New York, Chicago, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Boston, San Antonio, Baltimore, Seattle, Atlanta and more!
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ABC by Brad Epstein
The 'ABC My First Team Alphabet' series also includes baseball and football teams from Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Seattle, Dallas and more!
P is for Philadelphia by Susan Korman
This book is illustrated by the children of Philadelphia!
SAN FRANCISCO
THIS IS SAN FRANCISCO by Miraslav Sasek
More books in the "This is ____" series include New York City, Washington D.C. and other major Cities around the world.
SAN FRANCISCO: A BOOK OF NUMBERS by Ashley Evanson
Ashley Evanson also wrote New York: A Book of Colors as part of the Hello, World! series.
MY LITTLE CITIES: SAN FRANCISCO by Jennifer Adams
The 'My Little Cities' series also includes New York and other major cities around the world.
NOTE: If you are heading to San Francisco with a baby or a toddler be sure to check out our family fun guide for VISITING SAN FRANCISCO WITH A TODDLER.
LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES IS... by Elisa Parhad
LOS ANGELES 1 to 10 by Sara Beth Greene
LARRY GETS LOST IN LOS ANGELES by John Skewes
More childrens' books about cities in the 'Larry Gets Lost' series include: Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, Washington D.C., San Diego, Twin Cities, Portland and more!
CHICAGO
C IS FOR CHICAGO by Maria Kernahan
The 'Alphabet Cities' series also includes the cities Boston, Seattle, New York, San Francisco and Aspen.
CHICAGO ABC: A LARRY GETS LOST BOOK by John Skewes
More Larry Gets Lost ABC books include San Francisco, New York City, Portland and Seattle.
CHICAGO ABCS by Mr. Boddington's Studio LLC
Mr. Boddington's Studio also has ABC's books about San Francisco and New York
WASHINGTON D.C.
THE WHITE HOUSE: A POP-UP OF OUR NATIONS HOME by Robert Sabuda
Also check out BELIEVE: A POP-UP BOOK OF POSSIBILITIES by Sabuda.
ALL ABOARD! WASHINGTON D.C.: A CAPITAL PRIMER by Haily Meyers
The 'All Aboard' series also includes New York City and a few other cities around the world.
CAPITAL! WASHINGTON D.C. FROM A TO Z by Laura Krauss Melmed
BOSTON
ON THE LOOSE IN BOSTON by Sage Stossel
The 'On the Loose' series also includes Find the Animal books for Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and New York City.
LARRY LOVES BOSTON!: A LARRY GETS LOST BOOK by John Skewes
More Larry Loves books in the 'Larry Gets Lost' series are New York, Chicago, Washington D.C. San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and Portland.
B IS FOR BOSTON by Stephanie Miles
Other books in the 'ABC Regional Board Book' series are about U.S. States and not specific cities.
PIN FOR LATER
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK ABOUT YOUR CITY?
Let us know your favorite picture books about U.S. cities in the comments. If you check out any of our recommendations be sure to tag your photos of your little ones reading with @ureadyteddy and we'll share our favorites in our stories!
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