32 Picture Books About Pennsylvania for Kids

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We recently completed a unit study on the state of Pennsylvania.  This is a list of books we read together to help us learn all about this great state.  There is so much rich history in this Keystone state.  Read one or read them all.  This list is sure to give you a good idea of what this state is best known for.  I give a small review underneath each title.  If you know of any great picture books about Pennsylvania that aren't included, please leave a comment so others will know.  Here is a link to our Pennsylvania Unit Study that I created.  Also check out my list of 13 Books to help your Child Learn About the State of Delaware.

1.  K is for Keystone: A Pennsylvania Alphabet by Kristen Kane 

From having the country's largest Amish settlement to having the first Zoo in America, Pennsylvania has a full and rich history and this book is a great introduction to all this state has to offer.  Simple poems for young children along with good facts on the sidebars for older children and adults, and beautiful illustrations, this book is sure to please all ages and give you a good starting point to your study of this Keystone state.

2.  Firefly Hollow by Alison McGhee

This is a sweet read aloud book.  The whole story is told from the viewpoint of fireflies and crickets.  Fireflies are the state insect of Pennsylvania and this fictional story will have you thinking about these tiny insects in a whole new light.  Enjoyable for young and old.

3.  Kingston the Great Dane by Debbie Florence

The Great Dane is Pennsylvania's state dog and this fun chapter book about a family that fosters a Great Dane will have your children laughing and learning about all that goes into fostering animals and dealing with letting them go to their forever home.

4.  Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by Gene Barretta

Benjamin Franklin is one of those people who saw needs and sought to meet those needs with his inventions.  Your children will be inspired by his creative genius.

5.  What's the Big Idea Ben Franklin? by Jean Fritz

Your kids will learn about the importance of making time to try out the ideas you have in your head.  This book should also bring a few giggles as it is written with some light-hearted fun.  It will get your children thinking about what they might invent.

6.  Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin by His Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson

I absolutely love stories about real life situations as seen through the eyes of animals.  It just makes you think of things in a way that our brains don't normally think.  This book is a wonderful tale about Benjamin Franklin as seen through a mouse that takes up residence in his work space.

7.  The Boy Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon by Jacqueline Davies

Living just a few miles from Valley Forge, Audubon became extremely interested in birds.  This artist/scientist accomplished so much that we still rely on today when it comes to birds.  Gifted in the skill of observation and art, Audubon went on to document all the different species of birds.  A very inspiring read.

8.  On the Loose in Philadelphia by Sage Stossel

My boys thoroughly loved this book.  Similar to Eye Spy books, this one has you looking for all the animals from the Philadelphia Zoo that escaped and are hiding out in all the historical locations in Philadelphia.  Philadelphia Zoo was the first zoo in the USA.  You can locate the animals hiding out in places such as Independence Hall, Rittenhouse Square, Quince St., The Seaport Museum, The Italian Market, Phillies Stadium, The Museum of Art, Downtown, Boathouse Row, and  IFK Plaza/Love Park, The author also gives a website address so children can print coloring pages of the illustrations in the book.  Great for learning to identify these locations and identifying animals from the zoo.  Fun for all ages.

9.  Robert Fulton and the Development of the Steamboat by Morris A. Pierce

I read this book aloud to my boys.  We were amazed by all that Robert Fulton accomplished in his short life.  I asked the boys how they thought he was able to do so much.  One of my boys said, "They didn't have TV, computers, video games or phones to distract them back then."  Good answer!  I followed up with "What would you invent if you weren't distracted by all those things?"  My other son said, "I would invent a video gaming device that would emit Vitamin D so that we could play more video games without you telling us to go outside and get some Vitamin D."  Haha!  A great book that will at least get your children thinking about all they could accomplish if they set their minds to it.

10.  Saving the Liberty Bell by Megan McDonald

A true tale about a boy who helped save the Liberty Bell during the American Revolution.  A fun story that teaches courage and bravery and the importance of preserving our history for future generations.

11. The Liberty Bell (American Symbols) by Mary Lynn Firestone

A short and concise picture book that explains why Pennsylvanians wanted a bell, who made the bell, the freedom ring, how they kept it safe during the Revolutionary War, who named it, the final ring, where it traveled to, and where it is housed today.  There is a glossary of vocab terms in the back along with a web address and access code to get more information on the Liberty Bell.

12.  Struggle for a Continent: The French and Indian Wars - 1689-1763 by Betsy Maestro

I read this book aloud to the boys.  The illustrations are amazing and pull the reader and listener in.  I especially appreciated the singled out illustrations that showed what the stage wagons, Conestoga wagons, flatboats, etc. looked like.  My boys were most enthralled with the illustration of Fort Duquesne and after we were done reading, they used the illustration as a guide to build their own forts out of Lincoln Logs.

13.  Just a Few Words Mr. Lincoln by Jean Fritz

It's important to teach our children that it is not how much you talk that matters, but rather the quality of words that you say.  A short, concise paper or speech that gets your point across in a way that people never forget will always be better than someone who just rambles on and on.  Abraham Lincoln set the perfect example when he wrote and delivered the Gettysburg Address.

14.  The Gettysburg Address in Translation: What it Really Means by Kay Olson

I love this book, because it takes an important document and breaks it down in a side-by-side format to help kids understand what all those big words mean.  After reading this, one of my sons said, "I think people today have forgotten all about this document."  Good observation.

15.  The Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence by Judith St. George

I cannot begin to tell you how much I love this book.  I learned so much by reading this with the boys.  I had no idea what a journey our original copy of the Declaration of Independence had taken.  It is simply amazing what all it survived.  I was simply amazed.

16.  The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgliesh

A wonderful book that teaches kids about the importance of the this holiday and the history behind why we celebrate our freedom on this day.

17.  Betsy Ross and the Silver Thimble by Stephanie Greene

I am not at all opposed to children reading below their level, especially when it comes to history and science.  While written for K-2 - my 5th and 6th grade boys enjoyed quickly reading this story that teaches a powerful lesson.  It is more important to do the things you were uniquely designed by God to do than to try and be like someone else.  Worth the read, just for that fact alone, but they will also learn about Betsy Ross who sewed our US flag.

18.  Just Plain Fancy by Patricia Polacco

One of the largest Amish settlements is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  This adorable tale is about an Amish girl who dreams of being fancy.  She finds a fancy egg and cares for it.  Children will be delighted at the end result.  

19.  The Story of William Penn by Aliki

William Penn wanted to make a place for the Quakers to escape persecution.  Pennsylvania is named after his father.  Learn all about this man who dreamed of and helped create a place where people could worship God freely.

20.  Washington at Valley Forge by Russell Freedman

This is an excellent read aloud book that teaches all about the activities of George Washington's army as they over-wintered at Valley Forge and endured such extreme hardship and later prepared for winning the Revolutionary War.  The copies of original, period artwork are so engaging and educational in and of themselves.

21.  Andrew Carnegie: Captain of Industry by Dana M. Rau

The amazing thing about Andrew Carnegie is his extreme generosity and care for future generations to be able to have access to libraries and learning.  This man gave away most of his earnings over his lifetime for the betterment of future generations.  You and your children will be amazed at all he accomplished.

22.  The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgliesh

Will Jonathon meet bears on Hemlock Mountain?  Everybody tells him there are no bears on Hemlock Mountain.  As he ventures off bravely by himself, through a mountain filled with Pennsylvania's state trees, what will he find?  A very fun, fictional chapter book.

23.  The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayola by Nataschia Biebow

Your children will be delighted to learn all about the inventor of Crayola crayons who heralds from Pennsylvania.

24.  Sandy's Circus: The Story of Alexander Calder by Tonya Stone

This artist from Pennsylvania was not only the creator of the mobile which many children throughout the generations have enjoyed hanging in their baby cribs, but he was a collector of odds and ends and ended up making traveling circuses that were in suitcases that he would take from place to place.  He figured out how to make all the pieces move.  My children had all seen things like this at Circus World Museum in Baraboo, WI., so it was very fun and amusing for them to learn about this creative artist.  We made our own mobile's when we were done learning about him.

25.  Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter by Barbara Herkert

We enjoyed learning about Mary Cassatt so much, we did a whole little unit study, all about her, that you can access here.

26.  Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Kay Haring

This fun picture book filled with Keith's artwork is told by his sister and tells how Keith wanted to do something new and get kids involved in art.  

27.  Uncle Andy's: A Faaabbbulous Visit with Andy Warhol by James Warhola

This story is told by Andy Warhol's brother and is an inspiring story that shows how their father's junk collecting lifestyle, inspired Andy to be an artist.

28.  When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson by Pam Ryan

This courageous and brave African American woman made great strides while enduring much persecution during a time when many did not consider African American women as equals.  She persevered and kept doing what she loved doing, eventually getting to sing at the Lincoln Memorial.

29.  Cycle City by Allison Farrell

While this book isn't necessarily about Pennsylvania in any way, we did a virtual tour of Bicycle Heaven in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and read this fun book as a follow up.  My boys loved finding all the different animals on all the different styles of bicycles.

30.  Milton Hershey's Sweet Idea: A Chocolate Kingdom by Sharon Cooper

This was my boys favorite thing they learned about from our Pennsylvania study.  They also did reports about Milton Hershey and I gave them a special Hershey's chocolate treat when they were done.  This book will thrill most chocolate lovers.

31.  How the Cookie Crumbled: The True and (not so true) Stories of the Invention of the Chocolate Chip Cookie by Gilbert Ford

Read the story of the invention of Pennsylvania's state food, the chocolate chip cookie.  When you're done, try making a batch.  Or have a batch already made for when you read the book.  

32.  Pop! The Invention of Bubblegum by Meghan McCarthy

Yes, Bubble Gum was also invented in Pennsylvania.  Read all about the invention of Dubble Bubble Gum and then have a bubble blowing contest with your kids.  Who can blow the biggest bubble?