Books About Earthquakes and Volcanoes for Kids
If you are looking to add some books to your collection for when you are studying Earthquakes and Volcanoes then this fantastic selection of titles is ideal. Whether it’s to inspire some creative writing or whilst studying Geography or Geology this selection of books for kids is a great starting point for more information. So here you go our Best Books for Kids about Earthquakes and Volcanoes.
Earthquake and Volcano Books for Kids
Eruptions and tremors these fiction and non-fiction books about volcanoes (including Pompeii) and Earthquakes are great to engage your kids with these amazing earth-shattering events.
Mixing a bit of science, geography, history, and great literature this collection of books is ideal for school kids who want to explore the topic in more depth and read around the subject.
Check out our section of Geography and Geology activities for ideas to do with kids whilst reading these books.
We have included affiliate links to some of the products and resources as an associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Earthquake Books for Kids
Let’s start with some books all about tremors and shakes with this collection of books about earthquakes for kids.
Fiction Books
We love combining stories that can put a child into the situation and excite their imagination, modelling descriptive and emotional writing with a smattering of facts. These fiction books about earthquakes are a great starting point to read together.
Earthquake in the Early Morning
- Osborne, Mary Pope (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages – 07/24/2001 (Publication Date) – Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
We are fans of Magic Tree House here on Rainy Day Mum and in the 24th installment of the series Earthquake in the Early Morning, we journey to 1906 and San Fransico. This is a great introduction to earthquakes from a historic perspective and goes nicely with our next book too!
I Survived the San Fransisco Earthquake 1906
- Lauren Tarshis (Author)
- Turtleback (Publisher)
Connecting perfectly with our previous book I Survived the San Fransisco Earthquake, 1906 tells the story of the terrifying earthquake from the point of view of a 10-year-old boy. This fantastic retelling is ideal for young readers to experience the world at the time from their point of view and the emotions and feelings that happen during an earthquake.
Night of the Howling Dogs
- Salisbury, Graham (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 208 Pages – 03/24/2009 (Publication Date) – Laurel Leaf (Publisher)
In Night of the Howling Dogs join a scout troop on the island of Hawaii when an earthquake hits, this fictional tale is great as not only does it include earthquakes but also fights and friendship. A read-aloud for slightly older kids the age recommendation is 12+.
Non-Fiction Books about Earthquakes
I have often found that kids will sometimes be put off reading as they want facts and not fancy words and imaginative stories especially if they find reading hard or a challenge. So mixing in non-fiction books is a great way for them to read about a topic. Here are some of our favourite earthquake non-fiction books for kids.
Earthquakes (Time for Kids)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Cy Armour (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages – 11/01/2011 (Publication Date) – Teacher Created Materials (Publisher)
The first of our non-fiction books in Earthquakes (Time for Kids) find out the causes of earthquakes and how to stay safe in this guide all about earthquakes.
Jump into Science ~ Earth Quakes
- Prager, Ellen J. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 07/18/2017 (Publication Date) – National Geographic Kids (Publisher)
Another non-fiction book that focuses specifically on Earthquakes, in Jump into Science by National Geographic Kids Earthquakes your kids can learn and understand more about this natural disaster and what causes it.
Why not make an edible mountain model with the kids so that they can see how earthquakes happen!
STEM Toy – Investigate the Power of Earthquakes
After reading these books maybe your kids are inspired to investigate the structures that need to be built in the areas where earthquakes are common this fantastic science kit is an earthquake table and lets your child construct 100s of different structures so they can build one to withstand the power of the earth.
Books About Volcanoes and Earthquakes
As volcanoes and earthquakes are often connected (same with Tsunamis) there are many non-fiction books that combine the two. Here are some that we recommend.
Earth-Shattering Events
- Hardcover Book
- Jacobs, Robin (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 98 Pages – 04/07/2020 (Publication Date) – Cicada Books (Publisher)
If you want a fun book that combines them all then Earth-Shattering Events is it. This book explores the destructive parts of nature in a book all about natural disasters from Volcanoes to Tsunamis and others too.
National Geographic Kids Everything Volcanoes and Earthquakes: Earthshaking photos, facts, and fun!
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Furgang, Kathy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages – 10/08/2013 (Publication Date) – National Geographic Kids (Publisher)
Another National Geographic Kids, Everything Volcanoes and Earthquakes teaches your kids about these extraordinary powers of nature in an informative and colorful book!
The Magic School Bus Presents: Volcanoes & Earthquakes
- Jackson, Tom (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 12/30/2014 (Publication Date) – Scholastic Nonfiction (Publisher)
If your kids love The Magic School Bus then their non-fiction accompanying books are great to discover more matched with the TV series. In The Magic School Bus Presents: Volcanoes & Earthquakes your kids can learn about rocks, magma, and even the earth’s core in this fun and an interactive story told by your favorite class from The Magic School Bus. (The fiction book is further down in the volcano section).
Earth-Shattering Earthquakes and Violent Volcanoes
- Anita Ganeri (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 256 Pages – 04/26/2024 (Publication Date) – Scholastic (Publisher)
From the Horrible Geography collection of books Violent Volcanoes and Earth-Shattering Earthquakes is a fun and often a silly way for kids to explore these 2 natural disasters. We love the books and often use them as starting points to delve into further.
DK Eyewitness Volcanoes and Earthquake
- DK (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 72 Pages – 05/10/2022 (Publication Date) – DK Children (Publisher)
When picking books I love ones that will continue to engage way past the recommended age DK Eyewitness books do that and Volcano and Earthquakes is no exception. This book goes into detail about discoveries, history surrounding, and more from how an earthquake happens to some of the precious gems that are produced by volcanoes.
Looking for activities to supplement these books then this Volcano Activity Printable Pack is perfect. Learn about the parts of a volcano and test your kid’s knowledge.
Volcanic Books for Kids
To finish off our collection these books are specifically about volcanoes although as you can imagine there are just a few mentions of earthquakes that usually precede the eruptions.
Explore volcanoes with these experiments that look at the different sorts of volcanoes you can find.
Volcanic Fiction Books
Love to immerse yourself in a story or read aloud with your kids these fiction books about volcanoes are great for kids of all ages.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
- Jules Verne (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 160 Pages – 03/04/2005 (Publication Date) – Dover Publications (Publisher)
I think it’s really important that kids are not only introduced to modern fiction but also classics and Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth is ideal for a topic on Volcanoes. Yes, the volcano may be extinct, but the story is pure imagination and worthy of a few days reading aloud or comparatively.
The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top
- Educational
- Cole, Joanna (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages – 02/01/1996 (Publication Date) – Scholastic Paperbacks (Publisher)
The fictional story to accompany the non-fiction Magic School Bus Volcanoes and Earthquakes above. In The Magic School Bus Blows Its Top: A Book about Volcanoes follow Ms. Frizzle and her students as they try to put together a giant globe of the world!
Vacation Under the Volcano
- Osborne, Mary Pope (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 96 Pages – 03/24/1998 (Publication Date) – Random House Books for Young Readers (Publisher)
Another Magic Tree House Book Vacation Under the Volcano as they go back in time and visit Pompeii just before the volcano erupts.
I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980
- Tarshis, Lauren (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 112 Pages – 08/30/2016 (Publication Date) – Scholastic Paperbacks (Publisher)
A lot of volcano books focus on ancient history but in I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens, 1980 you have a story that you may be able to relate to. There is also a Pompeii book in the series too. This is a fantastic telling putting your child into the shoes of Jesse a young girl that lives in sight of Mount St. Helen.
The Firework Makers Daughter
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Pullman, Philip (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 74 Pages – 05/28/2012 (Publication Date) – Oberon Books (Publisher)
Set in Asia The Firework Maker’s Daughter is a fantastic story of a young girl aspiring to become a Firework Maker like her father. She sets off to discover the biggest firework maker of them, the Firework Fiend Mount Merapi. When asking my kids this was their favourite read-aloud for our topic and they recommend it to everyone.
Non-Fiction Volcano Books
Although I think that the combined books above provide the best information these Volcano Books are great for those kids that just want to know about volcanoes so here you go our Best Non-Fiction Volcano Books for Kids.
DK Findout Volcanoes
- DK (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 64 Pages – 09/06/2016 (Publication Date) – DK Children (Publisher)
With a little simpler information than the Eyewitness books by DK, DK Findout Volcanoes though is comprehensive and great for your child to explore the topic of volcanoes in more detail.
Absolute Expert National Geographic Kids Volcanoes
- Hardcover Book
- Nargi, Lela (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 112 Pages – 08/21/2018 (Publication Date) – National Geographic Kids (Publisher)
Want to learn from an expert – in Absolute Expert Volcanoes you can. Join a Volcanologist as they explore, teach and investigate volcanoes along with your child in this excellent non-fiction book for slightly older readers than the DK one above.
Graphic Novels for Kids on Earthquakes and Volcanoes
If you have a reluctant reader or one that struggles you may want to consider comic or graphic novels we’ve included some below that are fantastic for kids.
- The Explosive World of Volcanoes with Max Axiom
- The Earth-Shaking Facts about Earthquakes with Max Axiom
- Science Comics Volcanoes Fire and Life
More Great Books for Kids
Looking for other books for kids then check out these other book lists for your kids
