This select bibliography was compiled by Anne Moser, Wisconsin Water Library at University of Wisconsin-Madison in April 2024 and are appropriate for young readers from birth through middle school. We may be missing titles so please send us your favorite great Great Lakes reads for consideration. Please send them via email to askwater@aqua.wisc.edu.
Be sure to check out our select bibliography for adults (and young adults) and our titles focused on Wisconsin.
All About the Great Lakes by Maureen Dunphy. Indianapolis, Ind.: Blue River Press, 2020.
B is for Beacon: A Great Lakes Lighthouse Alphabet by Helen Wilbur. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Sleeping Bear Press, 2016.
Exploring Michigan, Great Lakes State by Colleen Monroe, Michael Glenn Monroe. [n.p.], Storytime Press, 2013.
Exploring the Great Lakes by Department of English Language and Literature, Linda Thompson. Linda Thompson, 2013.
The Fishermen, the Horse, and the Sea by Barbara M. Joosse. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2021.
The Freshwater Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta. Watertown, Mass.: Charlesbridge, 1996.
Good Night Great Lakes by Alan Gamble. Sandwich, Mass.: Good Night Books, 2019.
Great Lakes by Kevin Meyers. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith, 2020.
Great Lakes Fact or Fake? by Dave Dempsey. Traverse City, Mich.: Mission Point Press, 2023.
A Great Lakes Odyssey with Louis and Louise by Stephen T Schram and illustrated by Kimberly VanDenBerg.. Waukesha, Wis.: Orange Hat Publishing, 2018.
The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure by Barbara Rosenstock. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2024.
A Great Lake’s Tale: Superior Learns She’s Part of the Flow by Jonna Watson. Jonna Watson, 2022.
Hush-a-bye night: Goodnight, Lake Superior by Thelma Godlin. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Sleeping Bear Press, 2023.
Madeline Island ABC Book by Marcia Henry. Madison, Wis.: University of Wisconsin Press, 2008.
Mail by the Pail by Colin Bergel and Mark Koenig. Detroit, Mich.: Wayne State University Press, 2000.
Michel’s Island by Mabel Leigh Hunt. New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1940.
Morning on the Lake by Waboose Bourdeau. Tonawanda, N.Y.: Kids Can Press, 1998.
One Summer Up North by John Owens. Minneapolis, Minn.: University of Minnesota Press, 2020.
One Winter Up North by John Owens. Minneapolis, Minn.: University of Minnesota Press, 2022.
Paddle to the Sea written and illustrated by Holling Clancy Holling. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 1941.
On Sand Island by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.
Skating Wild on an Inland Sea by Jean Pendziwol. Toronto; Berkeley, Calif.: Groundwood Books, 2023.
Stories From Where We Live – The Great Lakes by Sara St. Antoine and Trudy Nicholson. Minneapolis, Minn.: Milkweed Editions, 2003.
Underwater Adventures with Louis and Louise by Stephen T. Schram and illustrated by Kimberly VanDenBerg. [Waukesha, WI]: Orange Hat Publishing, 2015.
The Voyageur’s Paddle by Wargin Kathy-jo, David Geister and Van Frankenhuyzen. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Sleeping Bear Press, 2015.
The Day the Great Lakes Drained Away by Charles Ferguson Barker. Traverse City, Mich.: Mackinac Island Press, 2005.
The Magic School Bus and the Climate Challenge by Joanna Cole, Bruce Degen. New York, NY: Scholastic Press, 2012.
Our House Is on Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet by Jeanette Winter. San Diego, CA: Beach Lane Books, 2019.
Agate: What Good Is a Moose? by Morgan Dey. Duluth, Minn.: Lake Superior Port Cities Inc., 2007.
Freshwater Fish & Fishing by Jim Arnosky. New York, N.Y.: Simon & Schuster, 1984.
Plants and Animals of the Great Lakes by Walter LaPlante. New York: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2015.
The Runaway Dandelion by Jill Regensburg. [n.p.], EarthWard Project, 2017.
Silent Satisfaction: Great Lakes Fish Save Their Neighborhoods by Stephen T. Schram and illustrated by Kimberly VanDenBerg. Waukesha, Wis.: Orange Hat Publishing, 2020.
Tale of a Great White Fish: A Sturgeon Story by Maggie de Vries. Vancouver, Canada: Greystone Books, 2006.
Tyler the Fish and Marty the Sturgeon by Meaghan Fisher and Sandra Burns. Troy Oh.: Gypsy Publications, 2015.
Emma’s First Agate by Jim Magnuson. Cambridge, Minn.: Adventure Publications, 2014.
Rhoda’s Rock Hunt by Molly Beth Griffin. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2014.
Under Michigan: The Story of Michigan’s Rocks and Fossils by Charles Ferguson Barker. Detroit, Mich.: Wayne State University Press, 2005.
What’s on the Beach? A Great Lakes Treasure Hunt by Mary Blocksma. Bay City, Mich.: Beaver Island Arts, 2003.
Autumn Peltier: Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom. New York: Roaring Book Press, 2023.
Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich. New York: Harper Collins. 2002.
Chickadee by Louise Erdrich. Book 4 of the Birchbark House Series. New York: Harper Collins. 2012.
The Game of Silence by Louise Erdrich. Book 2 of the Birchbark House Series. New York: Harper Trophy, 2006.
Gimaamaa-akiiminaan gimiigwechiwendaamin: Thankful for our Mother Earth: A Kid’s Manoomin Activity Booklet by Dylan Jennings, Wesley Ballinger and the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. Odanah, Wis.: GLIFWC, 2017. (available full text online)
Growing up Ojibwe by Joshua M Whitebird, Edward Benton-Banai and the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. Odanah, Wis.: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, 2018.
Makoons by Louise Erdrich. Book 5 of the Birchbark House Series. New York: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 2016.
Mnoomin maan’gowing/ The Gift of Mnoomin by Brittany Luby. Toronto, Ont.: Groundwood Books, 2023.
Native Americans of the Great Lakes by P.M. Boekhoff and Stuart A. Kallen. San Diego, Calif.: Kidhaven Press, 2004.
Nibi Emosaawdang / The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson. Toronto, Ont.: Second Story Press, 2019.
Nibi is Water = Nibi Aawon Nbiish by Joanne Robertson. Toronto, Ont.: Second Story Press, 2020.
Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco. New York: Lee & Low Books Inc., 2021.
Nanabosho, Soaring Eagle, and the Great Sturgeon by Joe McLellan. Manitoba, Canada: Pemmican Publications, 2015.
The Porcupine Year by Louise Erdrich. Book 3 of the Birchbark House Series. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2008.
The Sacred Harvest: Ojibway Wild Rice Gathering by Gordon Regguinti. Minneapolis, Minn.: Lerner Publications, 1992.
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2023.
The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson. Toronto, Canada: Second Story Press, 2017.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom. New York: Roaring Book Press, 2020.
Tales of the Great Lakes: Stories from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Secaucus, N.J.: Castle, 1986.
Autumn Peltier: Water Warrior by Carole Lindstrom. New York: Roaring Book Press, 2023.
Birchbark House series by Louise Erdrich. New York: HarperCollins.
Gimaamaa-akiiminaan gimiigwechiwendaamin: Thankful for our Mother Earth: A kid’s manoomin activity booklet by Dylan Jennings, Wesley Ballinger and the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. Odanah, Wis.: GLIFWC, 2017 (available full text online)
Growing up Ojibwe by Joshua M Whitebird, Edward Benton-Banai and the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission. Odanah, Wis.: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, 2018.
Mnoomin maan’gowing/ The Gift of Mnoomin by Brittany Luby. Toronto, Ont.: Groundwood Books, 2023.
Native Americans of the Great Lakes by P.M. Boekhoff and Stuart A. Kallen. San Diego, Calif.: Kidhaven Press, 2004.
Nibi Emosaawdang / The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson. Toronto: Second Story Press, 2019.
Nibi is Water = Nibi Aawon Nbiish by Joanne Robertson. Toronto, Canada: Second Story Press, 2020.
Nibi’s Water Song by Sunshine Tenasco. New York, NY: Lee & Low Books Inc., 2021.
Nanabosho, Soaring Eagle, and the Great Sturgeon by Joe McLellan. Manitoba, Canada: Pemmican Publications, 2015.
The Sacred Harvest: Ojibway Wild Rice Gathering by Gordon Regguinti. Minneapolis, Minn.: Lerner Publications, 1992.
Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2023.
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom. New York: Roaring Book Press, 2020.
The Water Walker by Joanne Robertson. Toronto, Canada: Second Story Press, 2017.
The Berenstain Bears Go Green by Jan Berenstain and Mike Berenstain. New York: Harper Festival, 2013.
City Green by Dyanne DiSalvo-Ryan. New York: HarperCollins, 2019.
George Saves the World by Lunchtime by Jo Readmen. Ealing, London: Transworld Publishers, 2006.
One World: Our Chance to Save the Planet by Michael Foreman. {n.p.] Andersen Press, 2012.
Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World by Laurie Lawlor. New York, Ny: Holiday House, 2014.
For more inspiring stories of heroes, both in the Great Lakes and around the world, read the Wisconsin Water Library’s blog posts on Indigenous Women, Kids Taking Action and Women in Aquatic and Marine Sciences
The Christmas Tree Ship: The Story of Captain Santa by Rochelle Pennington. Woodruff, Wis.: Guest Cottage/Amherst Press, 2002.
Danger on the Great Lakes (Nancy Drew) by Carolyn Keene. New York: Aladdin Publishing, 2011.
Death’s Door: True Tales of Tragedy, Mystery, and Bravery from the Great Lakes’ Most Dangerous Waters by Barbara Josse. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2023.
The Edmund Fitzgerald: Lost With All Hands: A True Story for Young Readers by Robert Hertel. Spring Lake, Mich.: River Road Publications, 1999.
The Edmund Fitzgerald: The Song of the Bell by Kathy-Jo Wargin and Gisjbert Van Frankenhuyzen. Chelsea, Mich.: Sleeping Bear Press, 2003.
Great Lakes and Great Ships: An Illustrated History for Children by John Mitchell and Tom Woodruff. Suttons Bay, Mich.: Suttons Bay, 1991.
Great Lakes Shipwrecks by Michelle Parkin. Minneapolis, Minn.: Pogo Books, 2024.
Great Ships on the Great Lakes: A Maritime History by Catherine M. Green, Jefferson J. Gray and Bobbie Malone. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2013.
Lost and Found: Legendary Lake Michigan Shipwrecks by V.O. Van Heest. Holland, Mich.: In-Depth Editions, LLC, 2012.
The Mystery on the Great Lakes by Carole Marsh. Peachtree City, Ga.: Carole Marsh/Gallopade International, 2019.
Shipwrecks and Lost Treasures, Great Lakes: Legends and Lore, Pirates and More! by Michael Varhola, Illustrated by Paul G Hoffman. Guilford, Conn.: Globe Pequot, 2007.
Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes: Tales of Courage—And Cowardice by Cheryl MacDonald. Glen Alen Va.: Amazing Stories, 2010.
Shipwrecks: Exploring Sunken Cities Beneath the Sea by Mary M. Cerullo. New York: Dutton Children’s Books, Penguin, 2009.
Shipwreck Tales of the Great Lakes by Cris Kohl. Chicago, Ill.: Seawolf Communications, 2004.
Sport: Ship Dog of the Great Lakes by Pamela Cameron and Renee Graef. Madison, Wis.: Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2019.
Uncovering Great Lakes Shipwrecks by Kathryn Wesgate. New York: Enslow Publishing, 2023.
The Adventures of a Plastic Bottle: A Story About Recycling by Alison Inches. New York, NY: Little Simon, 2009.
Don’t Throw That Away! by Lara Bergen. New York: Little Simon, 2009.
One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul. [n.p.]: Millbrook Press, 2015.
A Field Guide to Mermaids of the Great Lakes by Debbie Scheller. [n.p.]: Deborah Scheller, 2017.
Tallulah: Mermaid of the Great Lakes by Denise Brennan-Nelson. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Sleeping Bear Press, 2015.
The Trouble with Dragons by Debi Gliori. Manhattan, N.Y.: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2009.
Lake Monsters and Odd Creatures of the Great Lakes by Shetan Noir. 2018. Brighton, Mich.: Shetan Noir.
Shipwrecks, Monsters, and Mysteries of the Great Lakes by Ed Butts. Toronto, Canada: Tundra Books, 2011.
For more inspiring stories of heroes, both in the Great Lakes and around the world, read the Wisconsin Water Library’s blog posts on Indigenous Women, Kids Taking Action and Women in Aquatic and Marine Sciences
