Sometimes children’s books create a world best filled in with the imagination. But other times, authors leverage a real destination to bring characters and storylines to life. These famous children’s books take readers around the world, from the sandy shores of Virginia’s coast to the famed streets of Paris. And even better—you can visit the settings that some of literature’s most beloved characters call home. Here are some of our favorite children’s books settings you can visit in real life.
1/10 Madeline – Paris, France
Getty Images
“In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.” The opening rhyme of Madeline sends readers straight to the boarding school in Paris where Madeline and her fellow schoolchildren lived under the keeping of Miss Clavel. The book follows the girls’ adventures around the French capital, emphasizing the protagonist’s bravery and adventurous spirit.
2/10 The Secret Garden – Yorkshire, England
Getty Images
For any child that has read The Secret Garden, the dream of a secluded space to call one’s own—filled with tiny creatures and beautiful flowers, no less—looms large. In the book, Mary Lennox is sent from India where her parents have died to live with an uncle in Yorkshire, England. Left to herself, she discovers a walled, overgrown garden that leads her to discover family secrets. She begins caring for the garden and forming friendships, helping Mary come out of her shell and discover the world around her.
3/10 Eloise at the Plaza – New York City, United States
Getty Images
Eloise is a precocious, young girl who lives in the “tippy-top floor” of New York City’s famed Plaza Hotel. She spends her days going on adventures—and sometimes wreaking havoc in the hotel—with her nanny, her dog, and her turtle. The Plaza Hotel welcomes the association, with a painting of Eloise hanging in the lobby. In the shops below the hotel lobby, visitors will find The Eloise Shop, an entire (pink!) store dedicated to Eloise-themed toys, clothes, candy—plus a room for tea parties.
4/10 Misty of Chincoteague – Virginia, United States
Getty Images
A children’s novel written by Marguerite Henry in 1947, this book tells the story of a family’s efforts to raise a filly born to a wild horse. Chincoteague, a town on Virginia’s eastern shore, is known for its wild Chincoteague ponies. Both legend and Misty of Chincoteague tell the origin story of these ponies: When a Spanish galleon wrecked off the coast of Virginia, the ponies in the hold swam to the coastal islands and became feral as the years passed. Today, many visitors flock to Chincoteague to see these horses for themselves.
5/10 Anne of Green Gables – Prince Edward Island, Canada
Getty Images
All readers of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery know just how significant the setting is to the story. Anne, an orphan who arrives on Prince Edward Island to live with her new family, is overcome by the beauty of the island and the town of Avonlea. Today, tourism by Anne fans is an important part of the local economy, with tours and merchandising readily available. Visitors can see Anne’s home, Green Gables, in addition to the forest that inspired the Haunted Wood and the body of water that inspired the Lake of Shining Waters.
6/10 Lon Po Po – China
Getty Images
The Chinese re-telling of the story of Little Red Riding Hood is a popular version of the fable. Three sisters are left alone overnight while their mother goes to visit their grandmother, Po Po. The wolf, who sees the mother leave, then goes to the home to prey upon the children, dressed as their grandmother to try to gain entry. Readers will enjoy the dramatic use of colors and the Chinese influences infused throughout the tale.
7/10 Stuart Little – New York City, United States
Getty Images
B. White’s first children’s book, Stuart Little, follows the life of a mouse born to human parents in New York City. At first the family is worried about Stuart living in a human-sized world, but his ingenuity and cleverness eases their concerns. Stuart has many adventures around New York City, particularly in Central Park where he enjoys watching the model sailboats on the pond.
8/10 A Bear Called Paddington – London, England
Getty Images
Mrs. Brown first meet Paddington at the Paddington Train Station in London while waiting for their daughter. He’s sitting on a suitcase with a tag that says, “Please look after this bear” and the Browns decide to take him in. Although Paddington tends to get himself in sticky situations and create quite a mess along the way, he endears himself to the family. As it turns out, ordinary activities, such as taking a bath or traveling on the underground system, become extraordinary adventures with Paddington.
9/10 Harry Potter series – London, England
Getty Images
The mythical, magical series—beloved by billions—comes to life at London’s King’s Cross Station. Visitors can head toward the back of the station to pretend they’re off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at Platform 9 ¾. Look out for a luggage trolley embedded in the wall and a line of Potterheads eager to start their magical school journey.
10/10 Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes – Hiroshima, Japan
Getty Images
Eleanor Coerr’s children’s novel focuses on peace education for youth through the telling of one girl who, following the atomic bombs dropped in World War II, was diagnosed with leukemia from radiation. Sadako’s friend encouraged her to fold one thousand origami paper cranes, as Japanese legend claims that one who created a thousand origami cranes would be granted a wish. Her wish was simply to live through her disease so she could join a running team. Visitors to Hiroshima will learn first-hand about the horrific event in history, but Sadako gives children a peek into one life affected by the bombs.
By Bridgette Langdon