Books for Kids Inspired by Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom

We recently took our two young boys to Disney World for a family vacation.  We visited three of the four theme parks and Magic Kingdom was definitely our favorite.  It was also the only one I had ever visited as a child.

I thought it would be fun to pick some books for kids to help us remember the parts of the park we loved the most. These are NOT Disney titles but rather books that build off the themes of each section of the park.  It’s a fun way to learn more about each topic and expand our kids’ horizons.

Let the magic begin!

Disney Memories Book List

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Main Street USA

Main Street is your first impression of Magic Kingdom.  It is a bustling town and these titles will bring back memories of all the happenings on the street.
Richard Scarry’s Busy, Busy Town will keep youngsters engaged for a good deal of time as they follow all the scenes in this book.  It is a fun look at all the businesses and people that make up a town.

In the Town All Year ‘Round by Rotraut Susanne Berner takes you through the seasons of a town giving a look both inside and outside of the buildings that comprise the town.

Adventureland

The only thing I remembered from my trip as a young child some 30 years ago was the Swiss Family Treehouse.  My kids were just as delighted to climb to the top of the tree and pretend that they too lived in a treehouse.

Transport yourself on an adventure with these books.

The Night Pirates by Peter Harris takes a young boy named Tom on an adventure with a group of girl pirates!  They travel the seas for treasure of course.  Love that this book includes girls on the adventure!
Go on a jungle adventure with Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae.    Journey on this poetry safari as you meet the different animals in the jungle.

The Magic Tree House early chapter books by Mary Pope Osborne are fun read-alouds for preschoolers or can be read independently by young readers. One of our favorites is The Magic Tree House: A Perfect Time for Pandas in which Jack and Annie head to China to help rescue baby pandas after an earthquake.

There are lots of books in this series!  You will find topics from the Amazon to Sharks. The first 28 books are easier to read for new chapter book readers.  A Perfect Time for Pandas is a longer book.

Frontierland

Step into the wild west and re-live your time at Frontierland with these picks.
Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella by Susan Lowell gives the traditional Cinderella story and wild west spin!
Did you ride Splash Mountain?  The antics of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear played a part in that ride.

Liberty Square

Learn a little history about our presidents with these selections.
Those Rebels, John and Tom by Barbara Kerley gives us a look at what these two presidents were like when they were young. They were both very different, but set aside their differences to fight for freedom for the country.

I Am Abraham Lincoln by Brad Meltzer focuses on one of Lincoln’s greatest traits- staying true to what is right.

Hopefully the kids noticed that there has never been a woman president.  Here is a fun and educational read to address that fact.
Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio begins with Grace asking the question, “Where are the girls?” after her teacher hangs a poster of all the presidents of the United States.  Grace decides she will be the first and participates in her school mock election.  Kids will also learn about the electoral college.

Fantasyland

We spent the bulk of our time at Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland.  Riding Dumbo the Flying Elephant, spinning in the Mad Tea Party teacups and taking a few spins on the junior rollercoaster kept us busy for a whole afternoon.

Enter the world of fantasy with these books.
In The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen we find the animals left to swim after the ship they were on runs aground. They make their way to a nearby island where they win the hearts of the townspeople.  The people of the island rally behind the animals when the mean circus owner comes to get them.

Usborne Illustrated Fairy Tales is a collection of ten classic tales. These stories include Sleeping Beauty, The Emperor and the Nightingale, Beauty and the Beast, The Dragon Painter, The Frog Prince, The Elves and the Shoemaker, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, The Swan Princess and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

If the kids enjoyed Peter Pan’s Flight, check out Zephyr Takes Flight by Steve Light. It is about a flying adventure one little girl dreams about after being sent to her room.

Tomorrowland

My 4 year-old’s favorite ride of the whole trip was the Tomorrowland Speedway.  He got his own mini driver’s license and felt like a real grown-up behind the wheel.

Speed into the future with these titles.
Five Nice Mice & The Great Car Race by Chisato Tashiro is the story of five mice that work together to create a special race car for a special race.
Me and My Place in Space by Joan Sweeney helps kids understand their place in this big universe.

Of course there are plenty of classic titles to enjoy that will remind you of your trip too. Here are just a few.

Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss

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