if you are planning a trip to d.c. or you live here and want to buy books for the children in your life, you’ve come to the right place. We’re breaking down our favorite Washington, D.C. Children’s books that every child should have on their bookshelf.
From guidebooks to fictional tours of the nation’s capital, this list of books about D.C. sure to amuse and inspire the little ones in your life. Best of all, you can buy these DC books online and have them delivered right to your door. no more excuses for children not to read. say oh!
You are reading: Kids books about washington dc
our favorite washington, d.c. children’s books
this is washington d.c.
by miroslav sasek • one of our favorite travel book series, this is washington, d.c. takes you on a magical 1950s-style tour of Washington, D.C. historical facts and stories are retold in a way that even adults will enjoy.
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capital! washington dc a to z
by laura krauss melmed and frane lessac • we take capital! washington dc. a to z as soon as we moved to d.c. area. gives you a quick overview of government, museums, the national zoo, religious centers, and more. The illustrations are engaging, with fun facts about Washington, D.C. spinning throughout the history of the capital.
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washington, dc board books for babies and toddlers
parker looks up: an extraordinary moment
by parker and jessica curry (author), brittany jackson (illustrator) • when a moment makes a big impression on a little girl, her mom just has to help her write a book about it. Inspired by true events, Parker Looks Up tells the story of a mother who takes her daughters to the National Portrait Gallery to see First Lady Michelle Obama’s portrait.
Take a tour of the museum with Parker, her little sister, her mother, her best friend Gia, and Gia’s mother, to find out what made a little girl stop in awe at the woman in the painting before her. Boys and girls will love this one just as much as adults (I know we love it! It’s now my favorite baby shower gift!).
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all aboard! washington d.c.: a capitol base
by haily and kevin meyers • all aboard! washington dc. It is part of a series of baby board books written by the husband-and-wife team of Haily and Kevin Meyers. each book celebrates the unique qualities of the city, and d.c. couldn’t stay out.
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good night washington, dc
by adam gamble (author), joe veno (illustrator) • the board book, good night washington, d.c., is a must for any little wanderer or (coming soon) history buff. With the National Zoo, Library of Congress, White House, National Mall, Washington Monument, National History Museum, National Air and Space Museum, Lincoln Memorial and more, your child will know more. about the district that you very soon.
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larry gets lost in washington, d.c.
by john skewes • get lost in this board book along with our favorite friend larry featuring vibrant retro illustrations. Larry gets lost in Washington, DC on his way to the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial, and many of the other sites in washington, d.c.
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night-night washington, dc
by katherine sully and helen poole • babies and toddlers will love night-night washington, d.c. read to them at bedtime. every night say “night-night” at the lincoln memorial, the washington monument, the white house, the jefferson memorial, the national museum of african art, the marine corps war memorial, the zoo national, to national park, to six flags america (not in d.c.), national museum of natural history, and rock creek park.
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hello washington dc!
by martha zschock • when little ones have short attention spans but love to read with you, say hello, washington, d.c. This father and son eagle duo tour the highlights of the district, including a look inside the White House, the Capitol Building, and a hike to the Washington Monument. Naturally, the National Air and Space Museum and the National Zoo also make an appearance. What baby or toddler doesn’t love airplanes and animals, right?
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our favorite fiction washington d.c. books
madeline in the white house
by john bemelmans marciano • mischievous little madeline is back at madeline in the white house. Madeline and her classmates are invited to the nation’s capital for the annual Easter Egg Hunt and launch of the President’s Daughter. They soon discover that there is much more to this city than they thought. While the girls (in two straight lines) visit the city’s many sights, Madeline, of course, has to have her own adventure: a midnight sightseeing tour on a magic carpet of cherry blossoms.
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clifford goes to washington
by norman bridwell • wander the great sights of washington, d.c. with your favorite big red dog in clifford goes to washington. clifford and emily elizabeth get up to some shenanigans, like looping around the washington monument and jumping over the white house fence. It all ends well, of course, as the First Lady falls for Clifford as much as we all have over the years.
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call me madam president
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by sue pyatt • every girl should know that one day she could become president, which is why we love to call myself madame president. Needing to prove her brother wrong, Amanda dreams of being President of the United States. Part travel guide and part fictional narrative, this book will inspire her children to dream big and reach for the stars as they tour Washington, D.C.
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grace for president
by kelly dipucchio and leuyen pham • the united states has never had a female president. what?! when grace hears this, she immediately starts making plans to fix that problem and boost her political career in grace for president.
Through a mock election against a boy, Grace tries to prove that you don’t need to be the “best man for the job.” what is more important is to be the best person for the job.
Kids will get a glimpse of the American Electoral College and why every vote counts. this might even be a book many adults should read so they too can understand our complicated voting system.
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want more books on becoming president for kids? check if i ran for president, available on kindle fire and kindle unlimited.
grace goes to washington
By Kelly Dipucchio (Author), Leuyen Pham (Illustrator) • As a sequel to Grace for President, Grace Going to Washington dives into the branches of American government, as well as the struggles and joys that come with being public servant...even in your own school.
buy it on amazon.com here
the otter and the owl go to washington, dc
by chris collier • owl takes otter on a historical tour of washington, d.c., explaining the importance of each monument and memorial. Filled with facts, stories, and an explanation of the symbols you find in the city, this is a must-see for any history-loving kid.
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the mystery in washington d.c. (the boxcar special children’s books 2)
by gertrude chandler warner • the boys in the boxcar go to d.c. to see the mystery sites in washington, d.c.
Of course, there has to be a mystery, one that starts with things going missing from your hotel. then, they realize they are being followed. What the hell is going on? you’ll have to read this d.c. book to find out.
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lilly lou goes to washington dc
by mike murphy • moozy toozy and moozy woozy team up when lilly lou goes to washington, d.c. there’s a mystery to be solved, and giant pandas are at the center of it all.
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history comes to life in these d.c. books
the house that george built
by suzanne slade, lauren mccullough, et al. • did you know that the design of the white house came out of a contest organized by george washington? It is true. the house that george built tells the story of how the white house home to the united states. President, it went from the perfect design found through a competition, to President John Adams moving in once it was completed (Washington never actually lived in the White House).
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brick by brick
charles r. blacksmith jr. and floyd cooper • for another look inside the construction of the white house, take it brick by brick. the slaves were an integral part of the building, they did not use modern machinery and did not get paid (their masters got paid). many learned a trade throughout the building, which eventually helped some buy their freedom.
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a million men and me
by kelly starling lyons and peter ambush • follows a girl who joins her father in 1995 in the million man march, the largest event of its kind in the united states. history. brought together Black men who are committed to inspiring and empowering each other to bring about lasting, positive change in their Black families and communities. when viewed through the eyes of a daughter, it becomes a special look back at a historic day for a million men and me.
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learn fun facts on these washington, d.c. books
if you want a friend in washington: crazy, wild & wonderful presidential pets
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by erin mcgill • from dogs to cats to alligators to a foul-mouthed parrot, you’ll love learning about all the animals and pets that have called the white house home over the centuries. If you have a child who loves animals, if you want a friend in Washington, this is for you. though, it may be harder to convince your kids that you can’t have a pet goat or alligator after this one.
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first garden: the white house garden and how it grew
by robbin gourley • immerse yourself on the white house lawn when first lady michelle obama was campaigning for healthier eating, especially among children. in the first garden, you will learn the history of the white house gardens, including eleanor roosevelt’s victory garden in world war ii, michelle obama’s vegetable garden, the children of presidents and politicians who have played in the grounds, and how the White House staff keeps the gardens flourishing year-round.
Recipes are also included for you to try cooking with fresh produce at home.
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mr. boddington studio: washington, dc abcs
by mr. boddington studio • a beautifully illustrated board book, washington, d.c. abcs captures the magic and wonder of the city. It passes the national air and space museum, ben’s chili bowl, government buildings, and capitol hill. You’re never too young to discover the unique people, places and things that make Washington, D.C. so special.
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on the loose in washington, d.c.
by sage stossel • join the animals of the national zoo as they roam washington, d.c. in this “where’s waldo” style book. More than 100 animals are on the loose in Washington, D.C., as you wander through the White House, Capitol Hill, the National Air and Space Museum, the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the National Mall and more.
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washington, dc a to z
by alan schroeder and john o’brien • this is not a book of 26 facts. no, washington, dc from a-z brings nearly 100 little-known traditions, the hidden history of washington, d.c. and quotable quotes about Washington D.C., while still following the alphabet. humorous cartoons bring the funny, weird and intriguing details behind the important landmarks and people who rule the nation, plus those who have come to celebrate, protest, live in the thick of it or just visit.
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travel through washington d.c. from a to z
by martha day zschock • trip around washington, d.c. a to z is an alphabet book full of alliterative sentences that will make your tongue twist and your kids laugh as you try to say things like “the american anthem amazes.” Each page comes with history and learning materials as you enter facts and information about the District of Columbia that your children can learn before, during, or after their trip.
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have fun with these smithsonian books
s is for smithsonian: america’s museum alphabet
by roland smith and marie smith • sit back and relax as you walk through the smithsonian from home and encounter giant pandas, huge diamonds, and even a tyrannosaurus rex. S is for Smithsonian is investigating the Smithsonian Institution’s 19 museums, nine research centers, or more than 130 million objects, works of art, and specimens collected from around the world. Please read this before you go on vacation to D.C. or learn from home if you can’t get out right now.
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amazing adventures at the smithsonian
by emily b. Korrell • Even if you have kids who were born and raised in D.C., they’ll love the amazing adventures at the Smithsonian. As any local knows, there’s a lot to see at the Smithsonian museums, from Dorothy’s slippers to airplanes and dinosaurs. Ideal for ages 8-12, this book is packed with activities, information, maps, photos, illustrations, riddles, games, wacky books, and pages for journaling and drawing, all of which can get your kids excited to explore. Washington. , cc
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cc guides for children
city trails – washington dc (lonely planet for kids)
from lonely planet kids • hit the trails as you discover history and culture, food and nature on the trails of the city: washington, d.c. discover crazy facts and tales most tour guides won’t tell you.
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mission washington, d.c.: a treasure hunt adventure
by catherine aragon • take part in a scavenger hunt that is sure to keep your kids entertained in your d.c. holidays. Explore DC landmarks together, letting your kids lead the way through the city. you’ll still be able to see everything on their list without them knowing they’re learning too.
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washington, dc, children’s history: the making of a capital city, with 21 activities
by richard panchyk • collect washington, d.c. story for children and will have 21 activities for your children to be encouraged to explore. From building a time capsule to designing a memorial for a favorite president or taking a walking tour of the National Mall, no one will be bored when you bring this activity book on your adventure through the district.
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kids travel guide – washington, dc: the fun way to discover
by kelsey fox, shiela leon • get your kids excited about visiting washington, d.c. with the kids travel guide washington dc edition. Your kids won’t be bored on this trip to D.C. as they learn historical facts, wacky tales, take tips, take fun quizzes, and make some art on the coloring pages.
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