Peru Books for Kids: A Collection of Favorite Titles
Inside: Peru books for kids: a collection of favorite titles.
Peru is a magical place: full of history and culture and that stretches across the centuries. Here I’ve collected our favorite titles for introducing the country to children.
Right now, most books are very sierra-heavy: focused on the Andes and traditional culture. We live in the jungle, and there aren’t many books about the jungle, the coast, or more modern-day life. If you know of more to add, please let me know!
(For more book lists and suggestions, be sure to see my Spanish children’s books page.)
Peru Books for Kids
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Fictional Peru Books
An adorable bilingual re-telling of Mary Had a Little Lamb, set in the Peruvian Andes– with a few extra details.
(PreK- 3rd grade)
Meet children who are traveling to the Inti Raymi festival (festival of the Sun God or the Incan New Year) in Cusco, through lyrical rhymes. This is a beautiful, folk-art introduction to the country and customs of Peru, with the Andes as the backdrop.
(Grades K-3)
The Llama’s Secret – A Peruvian Legend
Available in Spanish and English, this folktale re-tells the story of the Great Flood. In this Andean version, a llama saves the people and animals by warning them to gather on a mountain. I love that authentic culture and words in Quechua are incorporate in this rich tale.
(Grades 2-4)
En Alas del Condor (Puertas al Sol)
Alma Flor Ada is one of my favorite authors, and this book is an overview of the native people of Latin America. Although it’s not only focused on Peru, the condor is the national Peruvian bird and a significant cultural reference.
A Cuy (guinea pig) must outwit a hungry Fox in this light-hearted story set in the Andes. Beautiful wood-block illustrations and Quechua phrases add to the authenticity of the story.
(Grades K-3)
Another llama tale, this is a sweet story about a young llama looking for friends who will play with him. Along the way, we meet typical Andean animals and beautiful scenes of Peru.
(PreK – 2nd grade)
Molly and the Magic Suitcase: Molly Goes to Peru
Part of a global “Molly goes to…” series, here we get an introduction to Peru through the eyes of two children, Molly and Michael. They visit Machu Picchu and other famous sites, and learn about traditional dances, clothing, and food.
Patterns in Peru: An Adventure in Patterning
Weaving together Peruvian culture and history, Patterns in Peru two children solve a mystery and learn about patterns along the way.
Kusikiy a Child from Taquile, Peru
Written in the tradition of magical realism, Kusikiy tells the story of a Peruvian boy who travels to the Guardian Spirit of the Mountain to find the lost stars of the sky.
(K-4th grade)
The Adventures of Paloma in Peru
Learn about travel through Peru and caring for the environment with The Adventures of Paloma in Peru. (Each purchase in the U.S. buys a backpack for a child in Peru!)
Peru Books for Older Readers
A Newberry Award winner, the main character here is an Incan boy in charge of caring for the llamas in the Sacred Valley. Mythology and indigenous traditions are woven throughout the story, as he learns the secrets of his ancestors.
(Grades 3-7)
An adventure story set in Peru, this one is written in Spanish specifically for novice Spanish learners.
(Middle – High School)
Non-Fiction Peru Books
Conoce Peru / Spotlight on Peru
Available in Spanish or English, this is the perfect introduction to Peru for kids, with an overview of its history, customs, geography, food, animals, and more.
(Grades 2-3)
A rhyming introduction to facts about Peru, letter by letter (M is for Machu Picchu!). Written in Spanish.
(Grades 1-3)
If You Were Me and Lived in…Peru
An introduction to Peruvian culture and history for kids.
(PreK – 3rd)
Enrique’s Day: From Dawn to Dusk in a Peruvian City
A realistic look into the everyday life of a boy who lives in Ayacucho. Kids will be fascinated by the photos that show day-to-day customs and routines, at home, school, and around town in Peru.
(Grades 1-4)
Doyli to the Rescue: Saving Baby Monkeys in the Amazon
An inspiring true story about a 10-year-old girl who lives on the Amazon river in Peru and rescues baby monkeys. Real-life photos give a fascinating look into nature and life in the jungle.
(Grades 2-4)
The Rainforest Grew All Around
Though not about Peru specifically, most of the books about Peru center on the Andes mountains and culture. Don’t forget that a huge portion of Peru is part of the Amazon rainforest! The Rainforest Grew All Around is a delightful introduction to the Amazon and its animal and plant inhabitants. Beautiful!
(Grades K-3)
Books about the Incas
The Everyday Life of the Ancient Incas
This gorgeous book (features over “500 color paintings, drawings, and photographs) is a wonderful introduction to Inca life on the everyday level.
(Grade 5 and up- I think)
Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu
A wonderful book that tells the story of the “discovery” of Machu Picchu by Hiram Bingham. Gorgeous watercolor illustrations and storytelling.
(Grades 2-7)
The Inca Empire (True Books: Ancient Civilizations)
A basic introduction to the Inca Empire, with photos.
(Grades 2-4)
Another look into daily life among the Incas, for slightly younger readers.
(Grades 3-8)
An in-depth look at the history of the Ancient Inca civilization. Packed with information, art, graphs, and photos.
(Grades 5-9)
Machu Picchu: The story of the amazing Inkas and their city in the clouds
A high-quality introduction to the Incas, both in text and illustrations. Be aware that some graphic scenes are included (human sacrifices). (Grades 5-8)
Beyond the Stones of Machu Picchu: Folk Tales and Stories of Inca Life
Discover folk tales from the Andes, in this lovely collection. Rich paintings and stories uncover the deep culture and traditions of the Andean natives.
Do you have favorites Peru books for kids that I missed? Let me know in the comments below!
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Set in Spain, Ferdinand tells the story of a quiet bull who accidentally gets chosen to go to Madrid for a bullfight. We love this one.
is about a little dog who escapes and gets so dirty his family doesn’t recognize him. Sweet illustrations and funny story that kids love.
away– and the mother’s plans of how she would get him back. Very sweet.
is a bear who want a home more than anything. He lives in a department store and thinks finding his missing button will help him find a family.
tells the story of Peter, who wakes up to a day of adventures in the snow.
live in a world where diesel is taking over, and no one wants a steam shovel to work for them. But they are up for the challenge when a small town needs a cellar for their new town hall.
is a lyrical rhyme that says good-night to the animals on a farm. Sweet and soothing language and pictures.
A gorilla frees the animals in a zoo so they can sleep in the zookeeper’s house.
I so wish more of Shirley Hughes’ books were translated into Spanish! Her everyday stories of English children might be my favorites.
Barbara Cooney’s books are just lovely, and I love this one about travel and making the world a more beautiful place.
is another Eric Carle classic that teaches body parts and movement.
gets asked to play by all the other animals, but doesn’t have enough time while she spins her web. I love how this shows the actual progression of web-spinning.
I just love Margaret Wise Brown, and my kids definitely have this one memorized. I don’t really care for the Spanish translation, which loses some of the beauty of the original poetry.
Max and Ruby are bunny siblings who decide a to make a cake for grandma’s birthday.
A papa hare and his son talk just how much they love each other. My kids love to tell me how much they love me too, from this book.
is sweet story of a mother’s love for her son, all throughout his life.
is a beautiful fish who learns to be kind.
A baby llama searches for his mama, and all the other baby animals help him.
is an imaginative journey of wild creatures inside Max’s head, who is sent to bed without supper.
follows a flock of ducks on the Yhangtze River in China. Ping as a mischievous little duck brought to life with beautiful illustrations.
is a baby bat separated from her family and taken in by a family of birds. There’s a happy ending and good lesson on differences.
loves a little boy, and does her best all her life to take care of him. It’s a bit of a sad ending and food for thought on what unconditional love means.
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