World Book Day: 9 amazing cave stories for kids

Since 1995, World Book Day has been celebrated in more than 100 countries on the first Thursday in March. Its aim is simple: to promote reading for pleasure among children and young adults.

The organisation behind World Book Day claims that "reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents' educational background or their income".

Whether this is true or not, reading for pleasure is a surefire way to expand young people's horizons and fire their imaginations.

At Stump Cross Caverns, we love telling stories to kids. So, this year, we decided to compile a list of nine amazing cave stories for kids and young adults. We hope it helps you find a book that your children or students just can't put down.

1. Laura and the Bandits by Philipe Dumas (1985)

This short but action-packed read centres on a beach holiday interrupted by an unexpected discovery in a cave. Luckily, Laura the dog is on hand (or paw) to sort things out…

2. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain (1876)

It's the 1840s in St Petersburg, a town on the Mississippi River. Schoolboy (and rascal) Tom Sawyer gets into more scrapes than a careless driver.

In one memorable episode, Tom takes his sweetheart on a picnic to McDougal's Cave – but they soon discover that the caves aren't empty.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a romp that more advanced readers are sure to enjoy.

(Please note that most editions of the book include language now considered offensive. Censored editions are available.)

3. Moonfleet by J. Meade Falkner (1898)

No collection of cave stories would be complete without a smuggler's den or two – and J. Meade Falkner's Moonfleet has them in no short supply.

Like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, it's a 19th-century novel best suited to the more advanced reader. Despite its challenges, there's plenty of smuggling, treasure and shipwrecks to keep those pages turning.

4. The Mystery of the Whistling Caves by Helen Moss (2011)

There's something about caves that attracts myths and legends – and Helen Moss's The Mystery of the Whistling Caves creates a new legend for young readers to enjoy.

In the book, brothers Scott and Jack Carter visit their great-aunt for the summer. So far, so boring. But they soon meet Emily Wild and her dog Drift. Together, they explore the area, including its castle and whistling caves.

When the caves stop whistling, the legend has it, the castle will be under attack. It looks like this holiday will give Scott and Jack more than they bargained for…

5. Stone Age Tales: The Great Cave by Terry Deary (2018)

Terry Deary is perhaps best known for his Horrible Histories series. In The Great Cave, he whisks us back to our Stone Age past – 17,300 years ago, to be exact.

The story takes place in Lascaux, France, the real-life site of caves that boast some of the world's most impressive cave paintings.

It focuses on a tribe of cave people and the struggles of one hunter, Willow, to survive among the big strong boys.

The story zips along nicely and comes with reading notes for teachers to help extend learning.

6. Elf Girl and Raven Boy: Creepy Caves by Marcus Sedgwick (2015)

This is the first book in our list to take place in an entirely imaginative world – one where Elf Girl and Raven Boy must face the Goblin King at Creepy Caves.

It's a wild ride bursting with escapades. Along the way, our heroes encounter a goblin army, lava rivers and, of course, a network of creepy, creepy caves.

Creepy Caves can be enjoyed by all sorts of readers – but be aware that some scenes are a little, well, creepy.

7. Caveboy Crush: A Picture Book by Beth Ferry (2019)

This picture book tells a tale of young love, with cave boy Neander falling head over heels for cave girl Neanne. Soon, he has no time for his usual pursuits – even his pet rock gets cast aside!

But the course of true love never did run smooth and Neander's advances are met with indifference – until, that is, Neanne turns the tables in a dramatic and witty twist.

With its relatable characters and cute pictures, Caveboy Crush could be just the thing for World Book Day (less than a month after Valentine's Day, after all!) 

8. Tek: The Modern Cave Boy by Patrick McDonnell (2016)

Part of the point of World Book Day is to get kids off their devices and nose-deep in a good book. Tek: The Modern Cave Boy makes the case better than any amount of nagging.

It's the story of a cave boy who can't get enough of his tablet, phone, games and TV. Shut off from friends, family and the world outside his cave, he's reduced to saying just one word: "UGH!"

This cleverly designed book resembles a device shutting down before the reader reconnects with the real world – just like Tek himself.

9. Children of the Cave by Virve Sammalkorpi (2016)

This short novel by Finnish writer Virve Sammalkorpi is all about difference. In it, the assistant to a French explorer goes on an archaeological expedition in the Russian wilderness.

There, they find a cave where children with animal characteristics live. The novella takes the form of diary entries about the creatures and events in the camp.

With its gripping premise and big ideas about faith and science, Children of the Cave is a great choice for young adult readers.

Final thoughts

Caves have always been places of wonder and imagination. If you're looking for some reading matter for your kids this World Book Day, we hope one of these picks engages and entertains.

Here at Stump Cross Caverns, we love teaching new explorers about our natural world. If you're looking for more educational fun, why not try our key stage 2 activities? You'll find lots of games and quizzes looking at geology, the Stone Age and more.