The Czech Republic is a wonderful place to visit for a family trip. Castles, beautiful landscapes, Prague, and more!
Do you know of any other children’s books featuring the Czech Republic? Please feel free to note it in a comment below!
Children's Books about Czech Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, and Legends
The Three Golden Keys: The incomparable range and imagination of Czech artist Peter Sis is known the world over through his animated films, paintings, and best-selling children's books such asKomodo!, The Dragons Are Singing, and Follow The Dream. Now, with The Three Golden Keys, he gives us his most heartfelt and autobiographical work to date: the reworking of three classic Czechoslovakian fairy tales into a haunting illustrated fable of his lost childhood in Prague that is also a deeply felt allegory of the reclamation of a Czech cultural identity after forty-five years of Communist rule. A man returns to his home in the ancient city of his childhood. Three large rusty locks bar his entry. He knows he must somehow find the three golden keys that will let him in. Suddenly a black cat leaps off the gate; seeming to invite him to follow. Together they search through Prague's monuments and landmarks. With each key they find, a different aspect of the city comes to life and recounts for them a classic Czech fairy tale. The man runs back to his childhood home and excitedly opens the three rusty locks. Inside the front door, back turned to him, is his mother. She glances up, and as she recognizes him and comes to life, so does the city. Utterly magical on every level, The Three Golden Keys is destined to become a classic of children's literature. It truly is a "book for children of all ages."
: Retold from traditional sources and accompanied by David Wisniewski's unique cut-paper illustrations, Golem is a dramatic tale of supernatural forces invoked to save an oppressed people. It also offers a thought-provoking look at the consequences of unleashing power beyond human control. The afterword discusses the legend of the golem and its roots in the history of the Jews. A Caldecott Medal Book.
The Golem: A Version by Barbara Rogasky: In order to protect the Jews of Prague, Rabbi Loew creates Joseph, a golem that only exists to Rabbi Loew, but Rabbi Loew suddenly realizes that his creation has reached into an area reserved by God and will soon have to face the consequences.
The Golem of Prague: The legend of the Golem dates back to the 1500s when the Jews of Prague were being viciously persecuted. Their spiritual leader, Rabbi Loew, also known as The Maharal of Prague, created a formidable creature out of clay whose mission it was to protect the Jews of the city. This beautiful picture book with its lyrical text and evocative illustrations, retells the story of the Golem through the eyes of a young boy, Frantz. Despite warnings to never enter the attic in the synagogue, Frantz climbs up. There, he is transported back to the time when the Golem was created, and eventually destroyed. A blend of mysticism, the supernatural, and even romance makes this a haunting picture book for children ages 8 to 12.
[Mama Traveler Recommended!] The Golem's Latkes: On the first night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Judah has too much to do and too little time to do it. Before the rabbi leaves to visit the emperor, he tells his housemaid Basha that she can ask the golem to help. While the golem makes latkes, Basha decides to visit a friend. Basha is having so much fun with her friend, she doesn’t realize that latkes are pouring out of the rabbi’s house, sending people running! Will Rabbi Judah come up with a solution to control the golem before it’s too late? Illustrated with lively acrylic on wood, the book also includes an Author’s Note about the tale’s origins.
The Gelt Giving Golem: The delightful tale of the Hanukkah golem, a friendly clay creature created by Rabbi Ben Bezalel on the 25th of Kislev, the 1st night of Hanukkah. The golem teaches Tikkun Olam and shares chocolate gelt.
The Golem: An Illustrated Story for Children and Adults: A legend can be told and retold, interpreted and reinterpreted for centuries. In developing his plot, the narrator usually adds new ideas to it, and abandons old ones to make his story living and up-to-date. The narrator is a sort of creator of the legend, playing with its setting, heroes, and message. He always tells the story in the present, and brings into it his current experience and understanding. So the Golem-legend has been successfully retold by authors of such fame as Isaac Bashevis Singer, Elie Wiesel, Gustav Meyrink, Jiri Voskovec and Jan Werich, Karel Capek, and many more. The Golem: An Illustrated Story for Children and Adults takes the reader to Prague of the late 16th century, showing the status of the Jewish community living alongside Roman Catholics. The author seeks to suggest, through the contemporary attire of the characters, that the hostility of those non-Jews to their Jewish neighbors has contemporary relevance.
The Treasure: Three times a voice comes to Isaac in his dreams and tells him to go to Prague, the capital city, and look for a treasure under the bridge by the royal palace. Feeling a little foolish perhaps, but determined to see for himself if the dream is true, Isaac sets out on his long journey. What he finds makes a surprising and heart-warming ending to this retelling of a well-known folk tale. In a few words, Cadelcott Medal winner Uri Shulevitz draws a man who is innocent enough to have faith in a dream, and wise enough to understand the greatest reward of all. Isaac's solitary journey, his arrival at hte vast city, and his discovery there are all enriched by Mr. Shulevitz's beautifully detailed illustrations, which masterfully capture the spirit of the original tale while keeping it simple enough for the very youngest reader.
Czech, Moravian and Slovak Fairy Tales: Presents fifteen traditional tales from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including stories of witches, kings, and magic, and of virtuous and clever peasants who reap the rewards of their good deeds.
Children's Books about Stories in the Czech Republic
Bruno the Beekeeper: A Honey Primer: Follow a beekeeping bear through the seasons—and learn about the life cycle and ecology of bees—in this folksy step-by-step guide to caring for hives and harvesting honey. With glowing, honey-hued illustrations and friendly text, this homespun year-in-the-life of a busy beekeeper and his bees is a definitive picture book primer—whether for families contemplating a new hobby or for readers just curious to know how bees make honey. Follow Bruno the bear through the seasons, beginning in late summer, as he demonstrates how he keeps his bees healthy and happy, from housing and maintaining the hive to harvesting honey and beeswax. Learn the anatomy and life cycle of bees, the difference between workers and queens, what flowers bees pollinate, and what predators they avoid. Gracefully translated from the original Czech—and paired with charming folk-style art that evokes the rural setting and cozy kitchen of a blended beekeeping family (complete with Grandma’s recipe for homemade honey-gingerbread cookies)—this charming ode to sustainability and fostering nature’s small wonders will delight readers of every stripe.
: This powerful story is told from the collective perspective of the children who were rescued from Czechoslovakia on the eve of World War II, as Hitler's campaign of hatred toward Jews and political dissidents took hold. The narrative starts in 1938 and follows the children as they journey to foster families in England for the duration of the war, return to Prague afterward in an unsuccessful search for their parents, and eventually connect with Nicholas Winton, a British former stockbroker who was instrumental in bringing them to safety. Winton and the Czech Kindertransport ultimately rescued 669 children from Nazi persecution. Award-winning author Caren Stelson teams up with acclaimed illustrator Selina Alko to sensitively tell this tale of survival and defiance in the face of tyranny.
How the Mole Got His Pockets: When Mole wants a pair of trousers with big pockets on the front, he enlists the help of his friends, including, animals, insects and birds to supply the fibers, spin and dye the yarn, make the loom, weave and cut the cloth and sew the finished product.
[Mama Traveler Note: Written by Czech author, Eduard Petiška, this is an educational story of how flax is processed and features the steps for creating clothing with the backdrop of the Czech countryside. While hard to find a copy in English, it's actually easily available in German under the title, Wie der Maulwurf zu seinen Hosen kam, and is originally based on the Czech animation by Zdeněk Miler.]The Circus Dogs of Prague: JR and his embassy friends Robert, Pie, and Beatrix are on their way to Prague! Having solved the mystery of the missing dogs in Moscow, JR is ready for a vacatio with his human, George, and George’s Russian girlfriend, Nadya. And where better to distract themselves than in Prague, taking in the sights and meeting Nadya’s brother, a circus performer. But something is amiss at the circus—the animals are unhappy. The boxing kangaroo doesn’t want to box, the dancing chimpanzee doesn’t want to dance. Not only that, but a fancy new circus is coming to town, threatening to put everyone out of a job. It’s up to JR and the embassy dogs to save the show, with the help of some unlikely accomplices.
The Hundred-Towered City: What awaits Jack, Annie and Davey when they are transported back in time to the gothic city of Prague, to search for their missing parents? Trying to avoid capture by the secret police, they find themselves running through dark and dangerous cobbled streets and meet some very shady characters. Where are their parents and who has stolen the key to the time machine? Alchemists, mythical creatures and a man with a hook for a hand hold the answers they're looking for. Will our young heroes be in time to save their parents from eerie Karlstein Castle? And even if they do, how will they return to the present day without the key?
The Alchemist and the Angel: Everything changes for orphaned Jan when his beloved uncle, Gustav—anatomist, natural scientist and aspiring alchemist—enlists his help in a quest to create a life-generating serum. To test the serum, they must follow a set of ancient instructions and play a dangerous game of bringing the inanimate to life... When Gustav dies suddenly, it's up to Jan to continue his work, but little does he know that his beautiful, calculating aunt dreams of using the serum for her own purposes—eternal life. Under the façade of her grief, she convinces Jan they must move from Vienna to Prague, and when she mysteriously disappears, Jan searches for her. In the plague ridden ghettos and the court of the mad Emperor Rudolf, he must pit his wits against an extraordinary cast of characters and events. His only ally is Zuzana, a girl with secrets of her own. Set against the vivid backdrop of 16th century Prague and the equally breathtaking Vienna, a magical, historical adventure.
A Boy of Old Prague: To feed his starving family, a young serf steals a chicken from his master's kitchen. Caught, his death sentence is commuted to servitude in the Jewish ghetto. The youth, Tomás, trembles at the thought of being bound to a mortal enemy. Once settled among a moneylender's family, however, he discovers greater friendship and kindness than he has ever known. But can Tomás protect his new friends from the injustices of his old world? Especially appropriate for 9- to 12-year-olds, this fable of tolerance vividly portrays Jewish ghetto life in sixteenth-century Prague.
Children's Books about Travel to the Czech Republic
Let's Visit Prague!: Adventures of Bella & Harry: Join sibling Chihuahuas, Bella and Harry, as they travel to Prague and visit Old Town, the Charles Bridge, Saint Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle and other interesting places. Take day trips to Cesky Krumlov and Kutna Hora. Enjoy some local cuisine and learn basic Czech phrases. The Adventures of Bella & Harry is a children's book series that chronicles the escapades of a pup named Bella, her little brother Harry and their family, who travel the world exploring the sights and sounds of new, exciting cities.
Dante and the Czech Republic: Dante the French bulldog is a lovable and adventurous pup who embarks on a trip to the Czech Republic to explore the famous castles in Prague. Along the way, he has hilarious mishaps, from tripping and falling headfirst into a bush to an unfortunate incident in a pristine flower bed. But through it all, Dante's enthusiasm for adventure and exploration never wanes, and his owner can't help but laugh at his silly antics. Join Dante on his journey through the beautiful city of Prague, and discover the joys and hilarity of traveling with a four-legged companion.
Children's Books about Christmas in the Czech Republic
Carl the Christmas Carp: Every year, Radim's family has a delicious carp for Christmas dinner, selected from the huge wooden barrels that line the streets of Prague in December. But this year, when Radim sits by the bathtub feeding breadcrumbs to the fish that his father has chosen, he sees more than a delectable meal. In Carl the Christmas Carp, Ian Krykorka writes a story drawn from his mother's childhood and from life in present day Prague as well. In the vibrant illustrations, Vladyana Krykorka lovingly recreates the city of her birth and her youth, down to the last glorious detail.
Christmas in the Czech Republic and Slovakia: Illustrated by Catherine Macaro, co-authored by Mary Jo Macaroand published by Daniela Mahoney. This 24 page book contains information about traditions and customs associated with winter holidays, decorations, craft projects, culinary delights and songs. Most of the text is in English, but some Czech vocabulary is included. Activity section includes word search, word scramble, name search and more….
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