Looking for British books to get the kids excited about moving to London? I’m not quite sure why I didn’t think about this in the midst of our own move from the USA to the UK, but a trip to France and a read of Madeline with my daughter reminded me how simple a book can inspire and pump up your child about travel. If you’re looking to excite your child too – from toddler to teenager – here are 13 great British books for kids moving to London.
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Here are 13 awesome British books for kids moving to London.
London Books For Toddlers
Usborne 1st Sticker Book London
Let’s be honest. Toddlers need activity and this sticker book does not disappoint. With a few pages of London scenery and loads of stickers to select from, this sticker book is not only cute but an easy way for your little one to start learning all things British.
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Thomas The Train
Did you know that the Sodor is a fictional located in the Irish Sea, just off the English mainland near Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria? Though not based out of London, this hit show and book series is an easy sell to toddlers moving to London.
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The Queen’s Hat
Let your kids join in the adventure and follow the Queen’s hat through London after a sudden gust of wind. A great way for kids to get excited about the Queen, Trooping The Colour, and all the London stops the Queen’s hat makes.
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Peppa Goes to London
It’s all about Peppa The Pig and her journeys in London. Cute picture books with lively colors. This British book is incredibly popular in the UK, so it’s nice to learn who Peppa is prior to moving to London.
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London Books For Kids
Although suggested as great British books for kids, these are really fun for the entire family. Some offer movies or television series to go with it.
Mary Poppins
Shall we take a stroll down Cherry Tree Lane? Or go fly a kite in Hyde Park? There really isn’t a need to sell this classically wonderful book because it does such a brilliant job all on its own. I had no idea how magical Mary was until I watched it just a few years ago as an adult…not remembering if I had ever seen the movie at all as a kid. And then feeling robbed once I did! Now it’s a family favorite.
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Madeline in London
If you love the original Madeline, then your poppet must have Madeline in London for a big move to England.
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Horrible Histories, London, “Get The Whole Gory Story of Loathsome London”
If kites, magical bath time, and merry-go-rounds aren’t your child’s thing, then perhaps gory stories of London are? Most British kids are glued to this book series and are actually how history lessons in British schools receive full attention. Pump up your history kids with all the excitement of London told in a bloody way!
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David Williams Series, such as “Grandpa’s Great Escape”
This series is super popular amongst British kids. Set up your kid for success with knowledge of this classically funny British book series.
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London Books For Everyone
British book classics that never go wrong at any age.
Paddington
If there was ever a reason to splurge on this cute bear, now is the time. Sporting a classically blue British raincoat and suitcase, how could you go wrong? With so many Paddington book options to select from, from A Bear Called Paddington to Paddington at St Paul’s, Paddington is a classic book for anyone moving to England.
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This Is London
This book is so good that I’d say it’s worthy of any coffee table. Vintage pages and history told from the author in 1959, every kid moving to London should have a copy. Consider purchasing This Is London for that going away party and let all the friends sign the inside cover.
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The Buildings That Made London
Aside from the Royal family, London is known for all its architecture and famous buildings. Learn all about what buildings are where, in a very colorful and family-friendly way. Turn London site seeing into more than just a check off the list.
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Harry Potter
Whether you’ve read Harry Potter already or not, read it again. Now that moving to London is real, reading it from that perspective will laser in on all the details that only someone who lives in London can relate to and understand. The entire series is completely fantastic…quite possibly the best.
Turn reading the Harry Potter series into a family affair. Start right away on Book 1 so that it builds enthusiasm about moving to London. Build site-seeing and experience milestones upon the completion of each Harry Potter book.
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Harry Potter Sightseeing In Britain Related To Each Book
This is only a snippet of sightseeing you could do for each book! The number of Harry Potter scenes in the UK are endless.
- Book 1 – Visit Platform 9 and 3/4 at King’s Cross.
- Book 2 – Walk across Millennium Bridge that is shown to be destroyed by Fenrir Greyback and some Death Eaters in the Half-Blood Prince film.
- Book 3 – Tour Oxford to see filming locations and the lightning bolt that inspired it all.
- Book 4 – Buy a wizard wand from the Alohorama Shop in Stratford-Upon-Avon.
- Book 5 – Sign up the kids for Quidditch training at Alnwick Castle.
- Book 6 – Tour Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studios London.
- Book 7 – See Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the official London Theatre.
Maps Of The United Kingdom
Moving to England from America inevitably means bucket list travel. And while travel is top of mind for any expat parent, it’s not always exciting for kids to see castle after castle. Help kids discover the uniqueness of the British Isles with every expat adventure. The map illustrations are beautiful, making it a great travel book of UK maps for the whole family.
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How Kids Books About London Help The Moving Process
Being able to relate to where the child is moving to will help familiarize and even get the child excited prior to the move itself.
The Paris landmarks in Madeline made it exciting for my 6-year-old to relate and understand exactly where the story was taking place. She could identify the scenery and even spent several minutes excitedly reviewing all the details – as though trying to recall what she had seen or will look for on her next visit. So fun to witness and yet such a simple concept.
Going away parties are a perfect opportunity for your child to have a special goodbye with friends, which I highly encourage to also do if you have the time, but books inspire what’s ahead. Some books, like CHIPS or FRIES, even help explain the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between the US and UK for your kids even though they are English-speaking countries. Pants anyone?
And with a big move abroad, pumping up and preparing the kids for what’s ahead is as important as remembering your passport.
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Final Thoughts On British Books For Kids Moving To London
With so much to do to move abroad, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with one more thing to add to the moving list. Especially when you think building enthusiasm for your kids needs to be grand.
But getting your kids excited about moving to London can be as simple as buying a book. With an easy Amazon purchase, pump up your kids with 1 of these 13 must-have books for kids moving to London. A classic children’s British book for a big move that’ll be special forever.
Looking for more moving to London resources? Try these.
- Is It OK To Move Abroad With Kids?
- How To Find A Primary School In The UK
- Moving to the UK with kids? Use my ultimate MOVING ABROAD CHECKLIST
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