Idaho is a land of beautiful mountains and exciting white water rapids. In this post about Idaho Books for Kids, we will share some of our favorites that teach about the state, the history, and the landscape.
In addition to picture books for little ones, we have included chapter books based in this beautiful state. Reading books is a great addition to your 50 states unit study.
Read on to see which Idaho books are the best ones to read to your child!
When I think of this state, I think of potatoes – of course. For some reason, “potatoes” scream miles and miles of flat fertile land to me. But, I couldn’t be more wrong!
Idaho is full of beautiful mountains and rushing white water rapids. In fact, the 43rd state holds the record for the most whitewater river miles in the continental US!
Because I was curious, I thought you’d also like to know why Idaho is shaped so strange, with a panhandle. It is shaped that way because the east-west mountains naturally shaped it that way!
What is Idaho Famous For?
We’ve already touched on this, but obviously, Idaho is famous for potatoes. This state produces more potatoes than any other state in the nation!
Potatoes grown with volcanic ash have an amazing ability to produce better than other types of soil. So it makes sense that they thrive best on the rich mineral-laden earth you find in Idaho!
Who would have thought that one single vegetable could be responsible for so much state pride? The potato has been a part of Idaho’s culture and heritage since European settlers first arrived in 1865. Today, 97% of Americans eat this starchy staple at least once per week!
Why is Idaho Nicknamed The Gem State?
It’s not only potatoes that make Idaho so special. It has a rich and vibrant history with many treasures found throughout, including 72 different precious and semi-precious gems!
In fact, in Idaho, you can find almost all known types of gemstones!
Plus, at 19.5 carats, the biggest diamond ever found in the U.S. was found between McCall and New Meadows.
Idaho Resources
- 14 Pages: Idaho State Unit Study
- Idaho Crafts for Children
- Free Idaho State Fact File Worksheets
The book list below contains stories that teach about many of the things we discussed above! Before reading the Idaho Books for Kids with your child, talk about why and the significance of that book to the state of Idaho.
Idaho Books for Kids
Our top picks of Children's Books about Idaho will help your children learn about the state of Idaho. We have included picture books and chapter books.
There are books about the state, the famous and historical people of Idaho, and even major events.
We have also included stories based in Idaho to help you reinforce the history of this great state.
Take a fun-filled tour of all there is to discover in Idaho.
Find out the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Gem State! We'll explore Idaho's famous parks, wide-open spaces, relaxing hot springs, and stirring history.
The "Idaho by Map" feature shows where you'll find all the places covered in the book.
A special section provides quick state facts such as the state motto, capital, population, animals, foods, and more.
Little Idahoans will leap out of their potato skins as they tour the state’s most beloved treasures and attractions. From the mountains to the city, this book covers it all.
Good Night Idaho highlights mountains, wildlife, Boise River Greenbelt, Discovery Center of Idaho, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Zoo Boise, Aquarium of Boise, Yellowstone Bear World, potato farmers, Museum of Idaho, and more.
"Sid the Sasquatch" introduces you to a young, brave, and fun-loving sasquatch as we follow him through his daily adventures.
Sid does his best to follow the rules, but things get tricky when he stumbles into a friendship with a kind, human boy.
What will become of Sid and his new friend? Will Sid's sasquatch family accept him?
Is Bigfoot (aka Sasquatch) a descendent of the extinct giant ape Gigantopithecus? Or is it a myth turned pop-culture phenom that we want to believe is real?
In this objectively written graded reader, author Bonnie Worth examines the evidence for and against the existence of the alleged ape, including its role in native North American folklore, famous sightings and notorious hoaxes, Dr. Grover Kranz’s work with dermal ridges, the Gigantopithecus theory, the Patterson-Gimlin film, and much, much more.
Numbers and colors are more fun in Idaho!
In this dynamic, colorful primer, young readers count from 1 to 10―learning colors along the way.
They discover the places, animals, and other wonderful things that make Idaho so unique.
On a hot summer day in 1910, a teenage soldier assembled his rifle. A girl argued to save trees on a mountain homestead. A young man set out to fight the fire.
None knew that soon the many blazes burning across northern Idaho would blow up and send a wall of flame racing their way.
Portraying a natural disaster that would dictate how the United States would fight a wildfire in the 20th century, The Big Burn brings to life a turning point in fire science, forestry, and history.
Thirteen-year-old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, proud of her country roots and the "Indian-ness in her blood," travels from Ohio to Idaho with her eccentric grandparents.
Along the way, she tells them of the story of Phoebe Winterbottom, who received mysterious messages, who met a "potential lunatic," and whose mother disappeared.
As Sal entertains her grandparents with Phoebe's outrageous story, her own story begins to unfold—the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose only wish is to be reunited with her missing mother.
The Lucky to Live in Idaho book is the perfect tool to jump-start meaningful conversations between generations.
Read-aloud rhymes set up interesting topics.
The write-in prompts invite children to record their own views to create a personal Gem State keepsake.
An informative guide to the world beneath our feet.
Igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, as well as hundreds of sparkling minerals, are covered in detail on where and how they form; as well as explaining characteristics such as hardness, color, and luster.
Text and photographs examine the creation, importance, erosion, mining, and uses of rocks, minerals, and precious metals in this updated version of this best-selling title.
Explore the Gem State! Learn about Idaho's history, geography, weather, people, and more in this book that's all about our 43rd state.
In the wilds of Idaho, an adventurous young girl stumbles into an alternate dimension that's plagued by a tyrannical creature and faces a life-threatening curse as she struggles to find her way home.
Eleven-year-old Alicia encounters unusual, surprising friends and terrifying enemies as she embarks on an unexpected and magical journey in nature.
Isabella Josefina Marie Joy is on a trip to visit her Joy cousins in the tiny town of Vespa, Idaho.
Izzy Jo isn't so sure about hanging out with so many people, especially a new baby, but she's excited to see if she can find any treasure like her books talk about.
Things get sticky when one of her cousins starts being a bossy brat!
From jagged peaks and deep canyons to majestic grasslands and thundering waterfalls, Idaho is packed with incredible wild landscapes.
As readers tour the state's natural areas and thriving towns and cities, they will also learn about Idaho's history, get a glimpse of local wildlife, and more.
With F for fly fishing, P for potatoes, and S for the syringa flower, going from A to Z has never been more fun!
Take an alphabetized field trip around the Gem State and discover the plants, animals, foods, and places that make it, well, Idaho!
That's right, Idaho! Sleeping Bear Press explores the lush land and rich history of a state so often overlooked.
Kids of all ages will love the A to Z rhymes boasting about all the riches found within Idaho's borders - from the Appaloosa steed to the zinc mines to Mount Borah, to, you knew we couldn't forget it, the potato.
Two brothers discover a handwritten journal that tells the tale of a vast treasure of gold hidden somewhere high in the mountains.
When they set out to find the lost gold mine, their excitement leads to the discovery of more than they bargained for!
A predator that isn't supposed to exist!
Fear and desperation can make a person do things they would never dream of doing under normal circumstances! Will they make it out of the mountains alive?
Explore life in Boise, a city that runs into the hills, through the eyes of its children as they grow, make friends, feed elk, paddle rivers, and become part of this vibrant and thriving Inland Northwest community.
Following not one child, but many children, "We Live in Boise" shows the cycle of life of growing up alongside one's hometown.
Are you excited about learning about the diverse land and varied history of this state with these resources and Books about Idaho for Children?