Children’s Books That Capture the Magic of the Pacific Northwest

Sadly, my nearly six-foot-tall teenage son is many years past the age of curling up with me to read “The Runaway Bunny” or “Miss Rumphius.” Luckily though, I happen to be the proud auntie to a growing crew of little readers both near and far, and books have always been my go-to gift for the kids (and new parents) in my life. 

This roundup shares some of my favorite new and classic Pacific Northwest-themed children’s books, many written and illustrated by local authors and artists. Each of them gives a glimpse into our beautiful, evergreen region, and what makes it such a special place to live. 

“The Days Are Long, the Years Are Short” written and illustrated by Aya Morton

Portland-based artist, author and mom Aya Morton captures the beautiful and fleeting chaos of life with young children in this gem of a recent release. From sunrise to bedtime, this tender story follows a family through the hustle of everyday moments — early wake-ups, missing shoes and rushed breakfasts — all balanced by the sweetness of impromptu snuggles and “Mama, look!” moments. This book is a gorgeously illustrated, heartfelt reminder that even our messiest days are made of magical little moments. Ages: 3–9

“Big Bertha: How a Massive Tunnel Boring Machine Dug a Highway Under Seattle” by Amanda Abler, illustrated by Katy Wu

You can take your children to a theme park for a mountain of cash, or you can just walk over to the nearest construction site and chances are they might be just as entertained. For kids who get excited by cement trucks and how things work, this nonfiction pick will be a bedtime favorite. It tells the fascinating story of the colossal tunnel-boring machine that carved out Seattle’s nearly two-mile underground highway. With vibrant illustrations and detailed facts about the machine and the engineering behind the project, this book offers an exciting look at how Bertha created the longest and widest road tunnel in the contiguous U.S., all while keeping the Emerald City earthquake-safe. Ages: 7–10

“The Umbrella” written and illustrated by Lisa Lebedovich

Charmingly written and illustrated by Vancouver, British Columbia-based artist and mom Lisa Lebedovich, this is the heartwarming story of Sebastian, a boy who wakes up one day with a little grey raincloud floating above his head. Afraid of getting wet, he carries a protective umbrella everywhere, keeping him dry but also isolating him from the world around him. As Sebastian navigates life from under his umbrella, he discovers that the key to making the raincloud disappear might just lie in facing his fears and making new friends. Ages 3–7

“We Are Water Protectors” by Carole Lindstrom, illustrated by Michaela Goade

This title is a stunning celebration of nature’s beauty and the Indigenous-led movements that protect it. A Caldecott Medal-winning picture book, it’s a poetically powerful call to action — perfect for families looking to spark meaningful conversations about conservation and stewardship. The author is tribally enrolled with the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, and the Alaska-based illustrator is tribally enrolled with the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes. Ages 3–7

“A Dinosaur for Washington: The True Story of Suciasaurus” by Kelly Milner Halls, illustrated by Rick Spears

If there’s one thing that has stood the test of time with curious kids, it’s dinosaurs. This fascinating book tells the thrilling true story of Washington state’s only dinosaur fossil, which was unearthed by amateur fossil hunters and later studied by expert paleontologists. Packed with vibrant illustrations and real-life photos, this book takes young readers on a explorer’s journey from the fossil’s discovery to the detective work behind identifying it, all while diving into the prehistoric past of our local land. Ages: 8–12

“A Geoduck Is Not a Duck: A Story of a Unique Pacific Northwest Mollusk” by Candy Wellins, illustrated by Ellie Peterson

If there’s one creature that will always be funny to both kids and grownups, it’s the one-and-only geoduck. This title is a hilarious graphic novel-style picture book that takes young readers on a wild ride of mistaken identity. When a beachside news reporter covers a breaking story about a “gooey duck,” he thinks he’s chasing a sticky bird—until the truth about the world’s largest burrowing clam, the geoduck (pronounced “gooey duck”), comes to light. Packed with twists, laughs and fun facts about this unique Pacific Northwest shellfish, this story is sure to entertain young readers and leave them clamoring for more. Ages: 5–8

“A Day with Yayah” by Nicola I. Campbell, illustrated by Julie Flett

This sweet story transports readers to the stunning Nicola Valley in British Columbia. On a peaceful outing, a First Nations grandmother shares her knowledge of the land with her young grandchildren, teaching them to forage for herbs and mushrooms, while being careful to avoid plants that could harm them. With rolling landscapes and rich traditions, this book celebrates the beauty of intergenerational wisdom and the wilderness that surround us. Both the author and illustrator are based in British Columbia. The author is Interior Salish and Métis, and the B.C. Book Prize-winning illustrator is Cree-Métis. Ages 3–8

“1, 2, 3 Salish Sea: A Pacific Northwest Counting Book” written and illustrated by Nikki McClure

This stunning book introduces children to the unique creatures of the Salish Sea, from orcas to banana slugs. With local artist Nikki McClure’s intricate papercut artwork, this counting book is both educational and beautiful, celebrating the diverse flora and fauna of our special Pacific Northwest ecosystem. Ages: 2–5

“School of Fish” by Mary Boone, illustrated by Milena Godoy

This debut picture book by Tacoma author and mom Mary Boone tells a tale that’s widely relatable to kids who’ve grown up in the Pacific Northwest — Emmy and her classmates are going to hatch salmon to release into the wild! The kids test, record and observe all the exciting things happening in the tank, as they watch the salmon grow from eggs to fry. When Release Day finally arrives, the kids gather along the river’s shore, gently tip their cups and watch the many fry glide safely into the water. Colorful illustrations and a simply told story make this one a truly enjoyable read. Ages 4–8

“Wheedle on the Needle” by Stephen Cosgrove, illustrated by Robin James

Who amongst us hasn’t considered climbing to the top of Seattle’s tourist hotspot to get away from the chaos of downtown? In this beloved classic, that’s exactly what quietly charming Wheedle does as he escapes the noisy city by retreating to the top of the Space Needle. Both new and nostalgic readers will get a kick out of following Wheedle’s whimsical adventures out of the Pacific Northwest woods and into Lower Queen Anne. Ages: 3–7

Editor’s note: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase products through links on our site, ParentMap may earn an affiliate commission.