Utah Books for Kids
Utah is a land of natural diversity. In this post about Utah 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. I have a huge list of book recommendations for all ages!
Read on to see which Utah books are the best ones to read to your child!
Reading books is a great addition to your 50 states unit study.
A trip through the nearly 85 thousand square miles of the 45th state will give you a glimpse of the diversity of the land.
Utah hosts dry deserts, yet the mountains receive over 500 feet of snow each year! In this great state, you can experience both hot desert air and cold mountain air. Additionally, you will find beautiful sparkling lakes and amazing rock formations here.
The land isn’t the only thing with major variations. The weather, too, can shift majorly depending on where you are and the time of the year.
Saint George recorded the highest ever temperature of 118°F (47.8°C) on July 4, 2007, in Utah, while Peter Sinks recorded the coldest temperature of -69°F (-56.1°C) on February 1, 1985.
according to weather-us
Did You Know?
As I was researching Utah in order to provide the best reading resources, I found something very interesting… Utah comes in second place for the state with the highest percentage of land owned by the Federal government – right behind Nevada.
The Federal Government owns approximately 640 million acres of land in the US and 35 million of that is in Utah! Another way of saying that is that 66.48 percent of Utah’s total land is owned by the Federal Government!
I know what you are thinking, “Well, Utah has 5 National Parks, so that is not surprising.” You are correct, but only about 2 million (of the 35 million) acres are owned by the National Park System.
Now, you are super intrigued as well, aren’t you?
What does “Utah” Mean?
The meaning behind its name is yet another super varied thing from this State! According to everything I can find, the state was named after the Ute Tribe. Ute meaning “people of the mountains.
However, the Ute people do not actually call themselves Ute, but instead Noochee. They are one of the most ancient native tribes in North America.
The first known documentation about them was written by Spanish friars who called them “Quasutas,” a term that referred to all Indians speaking Shoshonean dialects at the time. Yet, today they continue calling themselves Noochee or “the ones who speak our language” according to Fred A Conetah-who wrote “A History Of The Northern Ute People”.
Utah Resources
- 10 Kid Friendly Places in Utah
- Famous Utah Recipes
- 14 Pages: Utah State Unit Study
- Utah Crafts for Children
- Free Utah State Fact File Worksheets
- 10 Fun and Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Moab, Utah
Books about Other States:
- Delaware Books for Children
- Illinois Books for Kids
- Iowa Books for Kids
- Oregon State Books
- Tennessee State Books for Kids
The book list below contains stories that teach about many of the things we discussed above! Before reading the Utah Books for Kids with your child, talk about why and the significance of that book to the state of Utah.
Utah Books for Kids
Our top picks of Children's Books about Utah will help your children learn about the state of Utah. We have included picture books and chapter books.
There are books about the state, famous and historical people of Utah, and even major events.
We have also included stories based in Utah to help you reinforce the history of this great state.
In "What's so great about Utah? readers will build skills to identify and summarize the top ten sites to see or things to do in the Beehive State.
Explore Utah's beautiful parks, vibrant cities, exciting ranches, and fascinating history.
The Utah by Map feature helps students locate all the places covered in the book.
Butch was looking for the Old Man of the Mountain when he got lost in the Dixie National Forest.
Cassidy had told him that was a legend, but Butch did not care. And now he was missing.
Who was this Old Man of the Mountain? Stories said that many hikers had met their doom trying to see his face. Disillusioned in love, he had turned his back on the world and had hidden away.
He claimed that no one who saw his face would survive. Had he carried out his threat?
This book tells the story of Cayenne the Coyote, who does not want to go to sleep. But when she does doze off, she dreams of magical arches that lead her back in time.
Cayenne goes on several journeys and sees dinosaurs, saber-toothed cats, Native Americans, and early settlers.
Each of Cayenne's adventures is based on real events that occurred in and around Arches National Park!
The Parkers journey to southeast Utah to see the “Land of Standing Rocks” and such prominent features as Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Park Avenue Skyline, the Needles, and much more.
They encounter mountain lions, a dive-bombing blue jay, and wicked desert weather along the way, but it’s not until James makes a surprising discovery that they really connect with the region’s colorful history.
Arches National Park is the destination for ten-year-old Jarod, his friend Omega, and older brother Darrell, as they explore the red rock arches above Moab, Utah.
There they learn that an ancient message awaits anyone who stands under a special arch. Just what they need to complete their mission of helping Mother Earth calm down before a big shift occurs.
They learn that arches are doorways to other dimensions, and yes, they'll need to try out as many park arches as they can scramble under.
The Wild World of Buck Bray TV crew heads to Utah's Canyonlands National Park to film an episode about the canyons and rock formations as well as the ancient people who once lived there.
When they learn about dinosaur fossils nearby, they decide to include that in their filming.
But soon, they find themselves in danger at the Dinosaur Stomping Grounds, as they try to discover who is behind the vandalization and theft of the area's ancient artifacts.
Pando is an inspiring tribute to a Utah grove of quaking Aspen trees connected by their roots to form one of the world's oldest and largest living things.
Author Kate Allen Fox engages readers’ senses to help convey the vastness of Pando, the challenges it faces, and how we all can be part of the solution.
Numbers and colors are more fun in Utah! In this dynamic, colorful primer, young readers count from 1 to 10 as they discover the places, animals, and other wonderful things that make Utah so unique.
The Breyer Horse Collection, 3
Samirah is an eight-year-old Arabian mare, who has been carefully raised and trained by her girl, Jasper, to be the ultimate family ranch horse.
Sami has long sensed that Jasper is itching for freedom, and wants to be a real cowgirl.
When Jasper hears a rumor that her family is being forced to sell their ranch and decides to run away, the filly and her girl find themselves lost in a beautiful, legendary wilderness, but one fraught with dangers.
Sami must use all of her resources and strength to keep them both alive.
A photography book Celebrating the Natural Wonders of Utah
With its sweeping valleys and towering mountains, its inviting summers and glittering snowscapes, its hiking trails and world-renowned ski slopes, Utah’s soaring heights are, indeed, where life is elevated.
Explore these wild spaces through the dramatic and captivating photography of Ryan Jeffery—the wildlife, the national parks, the desert vistas, and the mountains, all beautifully arrayed in splendor.
Quotes from Utah authors such as Terry Tempest Williams, Edward Abbey, and Everett Ruess are spread throughout the scenes.
Buzzy the bee zips across the state of Utah introducing readers to Utah's five national parks, starting with Arches, then to Canyonlands, crossing the state to Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks.
Buzzy teaches readers about animals and endangered species that live in the parks as well as how arches, hoodoos, and spires were formed many years ago.
The sights and scenery of Utah spring to life in this adorable twist on the favorite children’s song.
Each die-cut page of the layered board book reveals an imaginary boat sailing past Bryce Canyon, Temple Square, Zion National Park, and more!
A delightful children’s introduction to the iconic places of Utah.
For ages 2-5
In Hello, Utah! join Parent and child Seagulls as they visit Salt Lake City, float in the Great Salt Lake, raft the Colorado River, and saddle up horses.
Along the way they also find treasures in the desert, trek through the snow, go skiing, and explore the national parks!
In this delightful Utah twist on the familiar farm tune, the black bear goes grr grr here, the seagull goes squawk squawk there, and everywhere there’s lots of Utah pride!
This chunky layered board book cleverly reveals each Utah animal and, when closed, forms an adorable pickup truck!
Life-threatening accidents keep plaguing the Landon family as they investigate the mysterious deaths of white mustangs at Zion National Park in Utah.
Even before they get to the park, Jack Landon knows that Ethan Ingawanup spells trouble.
Things start to go awry after Ethan and his sister―two Shoshone kids―are placed in the Landons' care.
The questions begin to mount after Ethan teaches Jack and Ashley the ancient Ghost Dance: Are all the hair-raising events just coincidental? Or is there some strange magic in the dance ritual?
Good Night Zion National Park explores Court of the Patriarchs, Observation Point, the Narrows, Riverside Walk, Checkerboard Mesa, the Subway, Angels Landing, rock squirrels, porcupines, rattlesnakes, mule deer, park rangers, and more.
This engaging and educational board book takes tiny adventurers on a journey through one of America's most beloved national parks; from rappelling the canyons to identifying wildlife and soaking in the incredible natural sights, young readers will be amazed by the wonders of Zion National Park.
Attu discovers many facets of these magical places. From geology, natural history, climbing, camping, and hiking, explore with Attu.
Visit the high cliffs of sandstone in Zion and the Virgin River that helped create this massive landscape.
Visit with animals that call these hills home.
See magical and mystical spires and lands that remind all of castles and places where dragons lived.
Explores how the Ute Indians lived, including their struggles with the settlers, their oldest ceremony, and recent improvements in the Utes' lives.
Set in the canyonlands of the American south-west, this retelling of a Native American tale from the Ute people, Coyote learns the consequences of taking what isn't his and ignoring everyone's advice.
It's only with the help of a wise hummingbird that he escapes a bad end.
Elk Girl, sister of a Ute chief, lives a traditional life with her tribe high in the Rocky Mountains in 1860.
Elk Girl is bold: She loves to hunt deer with her brother, and she races her pony to win. She also knows the importance of ceremonies like the Bear Dance, which wakes the bears from hibernation and celebrates spring.
But all of that changes when Cheyenne warriors capture Elk Girl.
The white men are the real enemy. Their soldiers are everywhere.
Even if Elk Girl could escape, how would she get home?
History, folklore, and a positive message fill the pages of this favored children's book.
Twenty-three beautiful parks are featured using mixed mediums to create a dreamlike, imaginative world.
A map of the state at the back of the book will help you locate and explore these places in your own time as well.
Age-appropriate for grades 3-5
From the rocky pillars and arches on the Colorado Plateau to the busy streets of downtown Salt Lake City, Utah is an amazing place to be.
Readers will set out on a journey through the Beehive State, learning about its history, culture, wildlife, and government along the way.
An alphabet book that introduces Utah's history, culture, and landscape, from Arches National Park to Zion National Park.
From H is for Handcarts to Z is for Zion National Park, A is for Arches presents the history, landscape, and people of the great state of Utah.
Written and illustrated exclusively by middle school students, in this colorful and informative book, you may be introduced to things you never knew about Utah—from a failed Russian Settlement, the first KFC, and Dark Sky Parks, to world-famous entertainers, entrepreneurs, and scientists.
Did you know that Utah was the birthplace of the video game console? What about headphones or television? Those have their origins in Utah, too!
In a state known for its scenic beauty, you may be surprised to discover Utah’s important role in American history and pop culture.
Good Night Utah highlights the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Antelope Island, Field House Natural History Museum, Utah State Fair, Salt Flats, Bryce Canyon, Hill Aerospace Museum, Hogle Zoo, Lake Powell, Zion National Park, Great Salt Lake, wildlife, and more.
This beautifully illustrated book takes young readers on an unforgettable journey around the great state of Utah as children quickly recognize their favorite sights and attractions and iconic landmarks.
How much do you know about Philo T. Farnsworth?
Find out the facts you need to know about this inventor, scientist, and TV pioneer.
You’ll learn about the early life, challenges, and major accomplishments of this important American.
Are you excited about learning about the diverse land and varied history of this state with these resources and Books about Utah for Children?
