Boston-Themed Books to Celebrate with Your Family

By Alyson Young Gregory

There’s no better way to make the pages of a book come to life than reading about places you’ve been—or even better, the very place you live! Seeing page after page of colorful illustrations portraying your favorite parks, streets, stadiums, and landmarks not only brings back cherished memories, but reminds us of all the places we still want to explore (that list is floating around somewhere!). From tots to tweens, and kids in between, these Bostonthemed books are on the must-read list for families celebrating all things Beantown! TOTS

An essential to every Bostonian nursery, and easily Boston’s most cherished children’s classic is Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. First published in 1941, the book’s popularity was crowned almost 50 years later with the bronze sculpture of Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings in the Boston Public Garden. Visited and beloved by children from around the world, a picture of your kids sitting on one of one of the ducks (maybe in every season) is a rite of passage you’ll all treasure for years to come.

And speaking of landmarks, bedtime in Boston just wouldn’t be complete without the perfect local lullaby. Goodnight Boston, a complete adventure imagined in a single day highlights the best of Boston’s history and attractions just waiting to be explored. Traveling? This board book is a proven winner when it comes to soothing even the most homesick of toddlers!

It’s a well-known fact that when it comes to cheering on their local teams, Boston sports fans are in a league of their own, and so is local author Jerry Pallotta! F is for Fenway, the shelf-worthy picture book for all future Red Sox Nation fans promises to make your family’s next trip to the ballpark magical. You don’t know what the Green Monster is? This alphabetical tribute to Fenway is full of history and trivia parents will love sharing with their kids. H is for home run.

What is it about hunting for something that is so delightful? Kids are in for a real treat with Sage Stossel’s interactive On the Loose in Boston when they get to help the zookeeper find the animals of Franklin Park Zoo hiding throughout the city of Boston.

With over 100 animals skillfully camouflaged among Boston’s favorite neighborhoods, there is loads to discover on every page. Did someone say candy at bedtime? Eye candy— this Atlantic magazine cartoonist’s elegant and highly-detailed illustrations are pure fabulousness.

Oh my darling, Oh my darling… Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine chapter book series is just that… and so much more! If you know someone who might appreciate a spirited, independent, third-grade heroine full to the brim with creative ideas, and a penchant for missteps, this is your girl. Six books set in and around Boston span an entire school year into summer, and will remind parents everywhere that what looks like trouble on the outside are often a child’s most endearing qualities! 1 million copies sold. TEENS

What teenager doesn’t fantasize about escaping society and running off to the woods to record their thoughts in a notebook, and live alone in a small cabin? The American classic, Walden, inspires connection with nature and observation of our environments, and reminds us all to appreciate the magic of these simple impressions, along with the outdoors. Reading this book in Boston is made all the more special being a stone’s throw from Walden Pond, where you can step back in time and visit Thoreau’s replica cabin and admire the famous waters. Immerse your whole family in Thoreau’s philosophy, and

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read ahead with the youngest from the exceptional children’s picture book, If You Spent a Day with Thoreau at Walden Pond.

Another classic novel marked by a local landmark to visit, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, follows the lives of the March sisters growing up in Concord during the Civil War. This beautiful coming of age story from girlhood into womanhood is full of insights, hopes, and dreams every reader can relate to. Family ties, a mother’s love, and qualities such as courage and loyalty every family needs to thrive make this a mustread for the whole clan. A guided tour of the Orchard House, where Alcott both wrote and set her novel, is guaranteed to inspire. ²

Alyson Young Gregory is a native New Yorker, and Boston-based freelance writer, mother, and Holistic Health Educator specializing in Ayurveda. She has a passion for maximizing vitality through nutrition based on environment and individual body constitution for all ages, supporting children’s wellness policies, and finding inspiring local activities for families.

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