Travel storybooks to help children become real adventurers

Perhaps no parent needs to be introduced to Erika Bartos, author of the bestselling storybooks ‘Bogyó and Babóca’ and Anna, Peti and Gergő. Perhaps the author’s best-loved series of travel books follows Bruno, a young boy, as he explores. These volumes bring together the three passions of the author: architecture, drawing and storytelling. With wonderful and detailed drawings and charming tales, Bruno takes us on a journey from Budapest to the Balaton highlands, the southern coast and the western rim. 

Another noteworthy work by Erika Bartos is the Hoppla fairy tales, which won the award of the Hungarian Tourism Zrt. in 2013. The storybook takes the reader through Pécs, in a playful, charming way, in the author’s usual quality storytelling style and with outstanding imagery. This volume is also a favourite with many families, and it’s fun to walk through the sights based on the book.

It’s also easy to fall in love with Kinga Csapody’s Utazik a család (‘Journeys of the Family’) series. Through Edit Szalma’s charming, lovable graphics, the author takes us to several Hungarian cities – including Eger, Esztergom and Pécs – but she has also written storybooks about entire regions: the area around Lake Tisza, Vértes and Gerecse, or even Lake Balaton. Read about the adventures of a featherbrained family with three children to learn about these magical destinations and get ideas for things to explore, climb, hike and try in the area.

The booklets titled Tiéd a város (‘The city is yours’), published by the Kultúraktív (‘Culturally Active’) Association are small, compact city exploration publications that can fit in your backpack, but still contain a wealth of information and activities. Whether you are guided by Müezzin, or the two gophers, Fürge and Görgi, or Ficek and Pocak, the two friendly swallows, the little booklets playfully present the history of the city, its natural and built heritage, its communities and its activities, from trade, industry and infrastructure to its institutions. 

With the help of the publications, you can get to know the Tokaj-Hegyalja region, Eger, Brasov, Paks, Pécs and Sfântu Gheorghe, among others. For us, a special plus point is that the publications include everyday places that are more important for younger people, such as the city’s favourite ice cream parlour, the best place to hide or the most popular football pitch.

Kajla, the very curious Hungarian vizsla puppy, takes families to the most interesting natural and cultural treasures of our country. Thanks to the naughty little mascot’s stamp booklets and passports, you can explore the sights of Hungary through the puppy’s fabulous imagery, with interesting stories, games and puzzles that are accessible to the youngest children.

In the Castles and Palaces series, you will have to collect special stamps as little tiny tots and perform exciting tasks at the sites. And within the ‘In the Footsteps of Museums’ series, you will find mammoths, golden treasures, old children’s toys, paintings by famous painters, hidden corners of castles, defending soldiers and much more! You can also go on an adventure with the little vizsla on Lake Balaton. On the 3-3 routes presented in the booklets, you can discover the most beautiful parts of Balatonfüred, Szigliget and Keszthely, as well as Siófok, Balatonföldvár and Balatonboglár, but you can also dive into Veszprém and take part in family-friendly cycling tours with wildflower fields, charming villages and dazzling panoramas.