Book Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- I Am More than Just a Weed
Non-FictionAudra Azoury-Sommer, author & illustrator
What’s a gardener’s biggest foe? Weeds! I’m sure many of you, like me, have pulled your fair share of weeds out of garden beds and around the yard.
Unfortunately weeds often get a bad rap.
In the book, the author depicts common weeds that you might see in your own backyard, at school, or even on a forest floor.
Grades PreK-3
ISBN 979-8-9894237-0-5
Category(ies): Plants
Keywords: weeds
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Sparrow Loves Birds
Non-FictionMurry Burgess, author; Tamisha Anthony, illustrator
Sparrow – a brown-skinned, playful preschooler (with a strong resemblance to the author!) – sets out for a day of birding. She uses her strongest scientific tools – her own eyes, ears, and notebook – to watch and listen to the many types of birds around her. She begins to identify birds by:
Color: Red – a cardinal!
Song: “Cheer up! Cheer up”! – a robin!
Movement: Flitting backward, forward, even upside down – a hummingbird!Join Sparrow for a backyard adventure and witness a scientific investigation underway. Be sure to grab your own notebook and crayons, as readers and listeners are encouraged to look at, listen to, and learn about birds, recording their own observations along the way.
ISBN-13: 9780316307222
Category(ies): Birds, Nature Exploration
Keywords: birding by ear, observation
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- A Place for Rain
Non-FictionMichelle Schaub, author; and Blanca Gomez, illustrator
Category(ies): Environmental Issues
What can you do with a raindrop? Well, you can let it get away, or you can collect it and use it for all sorts of good things. A sweet little look into rain gardens and collections.
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-1324052357
Keywords: rain garden, stormwater
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Photo Ark 1-2-3: An Animal Counting Book in Poetry and Pictures
Non-FictionDebbie Levy, Author, with Joel Sartore, Photographer
Category(ies): Wildlife
Adorable babies come to life in this unique picture book featuring the stunning Photo Ark photography of National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore and lyrical text of NYT best-selling author Debbie Levy
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-1426377235
Keywords: counting, picture book
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet
Non-FictionMartha Brockenbrough, author; and Juana Martinez-Neal, illustrator
Category(ies): Habitats & Ecosystems, Nature
Gorgeous introduction to how fossil animals in a dry lake bed in Chad become dust that changes how rain falls on the Amazon and reduces the power of hurricanes in the Caribbean and more. An interdependence of nature primer!
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-0593428429
Keywords: interdependence
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Saving Hawaii’s Honu
Non-FictionLeslie Ann Hayashi
Category(ies): Ocean/Marine
Trace the work of the first scientist to count the sea turtles of Hawaii, learning that there were only 67 remaining turtles! Watch the Island’s people pass laws, change customs and livelihoods, and support marine life as a result.
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-1478868514
Non-fiction
Keywords: Hawaii, sea turtles
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Beansprout
FictionSarah Lynne Reul
Category(ies): Plants
A child plants a mystery seed for a class project and is disappointed when nothing sprouts, but rescues the remaining seeds and decides to plant them.
Ages: 4-7
ISBN 13: 978-1623544751
Keywords: seeds
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Pearls in the Sand: Protecting Sea Turtles in Oaxaca
Non-FictionBeatriz Gutierrez Hernandez
Category(ies): Ocean/Marine
From the author and illustrator of the Ezra Jack Keats honor recipient Benito Juarez Fights for Justice, comes a deeply heartfelt picture book about sea turtle conservation efforts in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-1250257789
Keywords: Mexico, sea turtles
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Blue Jays That Grew A Forest
Non-FictionLynn Street, author; Anne Hunter, illustrator
Category(ies): Birds, Forest/Trees
Most of us know about the mighty oak tree, and how important oaks are as a keystone species. But we may be less aware of the role that blue jays play in assisting the expansion of oak tree forests.
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-1682636046
Keywords: oak trees
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Families of a Feather: A Celebration of Family Diversity
Non-FictionFern Wexler, author; Kelsey Buzzell, illustrator
Category(ies): Birds
An introduction to the varied family structures of birds, with an eye to validating many kinds of modern families. This book gently shares nature’s queer variety with young children.
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-1632174451
Keywords: family structure
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Akeem Keeps Bees: A Close-Up at the Honey Makers and Pollinators at Sankofa Farms
Non-FictionKamal E Bell with Akeem Bell
Category(ies): Stewardship, Urban Environment
Told from Akeem’s perspective, Akeem Keeps Bees! begins with the arrival and installation of a package of bees and follows Akeem and his Dad throughout the year as they inspect the hive, find the queen, deal with a swarm, harvest honey, and prepare for winter. Learn about organic and sustainable agriculture with an 8 year old narrator to show you the way!
Ages: 6-10
ISBN 13: 978-1635866094
Keywords: honey bee, sustainable agriculture
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive
Non-FictionLeslie Barnhard Booth, author; and Alexandra Finkeldey, illustrator
Category(ies): Birds
Gorgeous introduction to crow behavior, narrate from the crows’ point of view about how they survive together. A lesson for us all.
Ages: 5-8
ISBN 13: 978-1797226156
Keywords: crow
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- A Sky that Sings
FictionAnita Sanchez and George Steele, authors; and Emily Mendoza, illustrator
Category(ies): Birds
A blind girl enjoys identifying the wide variety of birds that live in her local park by the distinct calls each bird makes, all in search of her favorite bird. Includes facts about birds and bird listening.
Ages: 5-10
ISBN 13: 978-1643795379
Fiction
Keywords: bird call, bird song, birding by ear
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Worm Makes a Sandwich
FictionBrianne Farley
Category(ies): Natural Cycles
A very humorous introduction to composting for preschool to younger elementary school kids! Worm keeps telling us he’ll make us a sandwich but it looks like he’s only playing with garbage. Finally, a tomato grows in the dirt enhanced with compost and the issue is nicely resolved. Who wouldn’t want to help worm out with some lovely food scraps!
Ages: 3-7
ISBN 13: 978-0593697801
Keywords: composting
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Poo Pile on the Prairie
Non-FictionAmy Hevron
Category(ies): Prairie
Welcome to learning about bison poo! Although the pictures are cut, the science is cutting edge: what creatures live and hatch on a bison patty? Bison poo is a brilliant incubator of beetles, flies, and prairie plants. Deep science in a delightful package.
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 13: 978-1665935029
Non-fiction
Keywords: bison
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Silver Shadow
FictionMariesa Dulak, author; Alea Marley, illustrator
Category(ies): Ocean/Marine
Set in Barbados, a shy young girl stands up for a juvenile Caribbean shark against bullies who want to capture and sell it.
Fiction, Picture Book
Ages: 3-7
ISBN 13: 978-1536239409
Keywords: Caribbean, sharks
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Moon Song
FictionMichaela Goade
Category(ies): Native Culture, Seasons
On an island at the edge of a silvery sea, when the moon rises and night falls, a girl spins a story for her worried cousin to help him find comfort in the wintery dark. She invites him to see moonlight glittering in the forest, bioluminescence sparkling by the shore, and northern lights blazing in the sky. In the dark of the night, the whole world sings.
Ages:4-8
ISBN 13: 97-80316461634
Keywords: moon rise, winter
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries
Non-FictionSara Levine (A veterinarian and an Assistant Professor of Biology)
Category(ies): Natural Cycles, Nature
This is a compelling look at eggs, egg cases, and galls in nature, gently encouraging kids to be curious and patient to discover the mystery of what grows inside.
Ages: 4-9
ISBN 13: Watching and Waiting: What Hatches from Nature’s Nurseries
Keywords: egg cases, eggs
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
Non-FictionMegan Clendenan, author; Brittany Cicchese, illustrator
Category(ies): Natural Resources & Land Use, Stewardship
On the Arctic island of Spitsbergen in Norway, polar bears roam and there are no gardens, forests, or fields. But buried deep underground, the Svalbard Seed Bank protects more than 580 million seeds with plenty of room for more. How and why was the vault built? What’s it like inside? How does the vault protect the seeds? Learn about the rescue of the greatest treasure on earth–seeds for our food. An inside look into the storage and history of one of our most important natural resources and how this collection can save our future.
Ages: 5-8
ISBN 13: 978-1623544805
Keywords: conservation, seed vault
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con La Papa: Join the Quest with Peru’s Famed Scientist and Potato Expert
Non-FictionSara Andrea Fajardo, author; Juana Martinez-Neal, illustrator
Category(ies): Stewardship
Join Peruvian scientist Alberto Salas to hunt down and find all the Andean potatoes so all their genetic material can be saved. Also available in Spanish.
Ages: 3-8
ISBN 13: 978-1250838612
Keywords: Peru, potatoes
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Downpour: Splish! Splash! Ker-Splash!
FictionYuko Ohnari, author; Koshiro Hata, illustrator; and Emily Balistrieri, translator
Category(ies): Senses, Weather
A joyous onomatopoeia-laced paean to rain! Perfect for a read aloud.
Ages: 3-6
ISBN: 978-1636551142
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- We Are the Wibbly! A Tadpole’s Tail
FictionJane McGuinness
Category(ies): Reptiles and Amphibians
A tadpole narrates his journey as grows up alongside the other frog spawn in the pool. Extremely funny with a delightful voice but full of clear science.
Ages: 4-7
ISBN 13: 978-1547615742
Keywords: tadpole
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Safe Crossing
Non-FictionKari Percival
Category(ies): Reptiles and Amphibians
A family with the Amphibian Migration Team helps frogs and salamanders cross the road to an ephemeral pond in the spring. The young citizen scientist then proposes a better way to save these animals. Empowering and deeply informative! 2025 Blueberry Changemaker Winner.
Ages: 5-8
ISBN 13: 9781797214566
Keywords: frogs, migration, salamander
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Black Mambas: The World’s First All-Woman Anti-Poaching Unit
Non-FictionKelly Crull
Category(ies): Non-Native Species, Stewardship
Crull centers the voices of the Black Mambas themselves. He creates great interactions, like asking kids to analyze the graph of the reserve and select the best route for patrolling it. Brilliant picture book nonfiction.
Ages: 6-10
ISBN 13: 979-8765627259
Keywords: anti-poaching
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains
Non-FictionAnita Yasuda, author; Renato Alarcao, illustrator
Category(ies): Environmental Issues
This incredible true story of a woman who never stopped moving. Whether she was scaling mountains or trying to save the environment, Junko Tabei is a hero for our times. 2025 Caldecott Honor Award
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 10: 0063242419
ISBN 13: 978-0063242418
Keywords: Everest, trailblazer
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Climbing the Volcano: A Journey in Haiku
FictionCurtis Manley, author; and Jennifer K. Mann, illustrator
Category(ies): Nature, Wildlife
Told entirely in haiku, a boy and his family climb Oregon’s South Sister volcano and experience nature along the way.
Ages 4-8
ISBN 10: 0823451666
ISBN 13: 978-0823451661
Poetry
Keywords: mountains, poetry
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- What’s New, Daniel?
FictionMicha Archer
Category(ies): Nature, Seasons, Urban Environment
When Daniels’s grandpa asks him “What’s new?,” Daniel’s determined to really find out! And there are so many new things to report on, since their local park is brimming with spring life.
Ages: 3-6
ISBN 10: 0593461304
ISBN 13: 978-0593461303
Keywords: curiosity
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Pelican Can!
FictionToni Yuly
Category(ies): Birds
When a young pelican wakes up hungry, pelican parents know just what to do! Take a trip to the seaside and cheer for a marvelous bird The pelican does what a pelican an do. Now, how about you?
Ages: 4-8
ISBN 10: 0316497819
ISBN 13: 978-0316497817
Keywords: Pelican
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Look! Look!
FictionUma Krishnaswami
Category(ies): Water
A girl in India discovers a slab of stone, revealing an ancient step well that helps the surrounding fields spring to life. This book reveals the power of stopping to “Look!”
Ages: 3-6
ISBN 13: 978-1773069340
Keywords: well
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- A Flicker of Hope
FictionCynthia Harmony, author; Devon Holzwarth
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
As Lucia watches the butterflies migrate away to the north, so too does her papa. He tells her he’ll be back when the monarchs are, but can she wait that long?
Ages 4-8
ISBN 10: 0593525760
ISBN 13: 978-0593525760
Keywords: migration, monarch
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Who Laid These Eggs?
Non-FictionLaura Gehl, author; Loris Lora, illustrator
Category(ies): Wildlife
Do you know what alligator eggs look like? What about robin eggs? Lift the flaps to learn fun facts about different animals and their nests.
Ages: 2-4
ISBN: 9781419756627
Keywords: egg laying animals
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Songs of the Birds: A Guide to North American Bird Calls and Songs
Non-FictionIsabel Otter, author; and Clover Robin, illustrator
Category(ies): Birds
Love birdsong but can’t identify the birds? Let this clever little board book name and each birdie and play its song for you. Informative and deeply fun!
Ages 3-7
ISBN: 9781664351097
Keywords: bird call, bird song
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Great Lakes: Our Freshwater Treasure
Non-FictionBarb Rosenstock, author; Jamey Christoph, illustrator
Category(ies): Pond/Lake
Knopf Books for Young Readers
A deep dive into the Great Lakes, their history, present, and future. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about their six quadrillion gallons of freshwater and how vital they are to the world
Ages 4-8
ISBN: 978-0-593-37435-1
Keywords: Great Lakes
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Hello Bumblebee Bat
Non-FictionDarrin Lunde
Category(ies): Endangered Species, Mammals
A series of questions and answers introduce children to the life and habitat of the exotic and endangered Bumblebee Bat. Scientifically accurate illustrations make these exotic animals accessible to young readers.
Ages 3-7
ISBN-10: 1570914648
ISBN-13: 978-1570914645
Keywords: Bats
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- I’m a Little Deer
FictionFrancois Crozat
Category(ies): Mammals, Natural Cycles
Older book, but again, plenty of relatable information – A young deer describes his life with his mother, from his first wobbly steps through joining the herd to beginning to grow antlers
Ages 1-8, grades 1-2
ISBN-10: 0812064186
ISBN-13: 978-0812064186
Keywords: antlers, deer, fawn
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Go to Sleep, Groundhog!
FictionJudy Cox, author; Paul Meisel, illustrator
Category(ies): Mammals, Natural Cycles
Poor Groundhog just can’t sleep. He tosses. He turns. Finally, he gets out of bed and goes exploring. Outside his burrow he finds amazing sights he has never seen before: glowing jack-o’-lanterns, gobbling turkeys, and sparkling holiday lights. But shouldn’t Groundhog be in bed? With no sleep how will he be able to get up for his big day?
Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0823416453
ISBN-13: 978-0823416455
Keywords: mammal, natural cycle
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Splendid Spotted Snake
FictionBetty Ann Schwartz and Alexander Wilensky
Category(ies): Reptiles and Amphibians
Yellow Snake grows and grows and gets new colored spots every time. On board pages.
Ages 2-5
ISBN-10: 0761163603
ISBN-13: 978-0761163602
Keywords: snake
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Mighty Pollinators
Non-FictionWritten by: Helen Frost
Photographs by: Rick Lieder
Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2024.
ISBN-13: 978-1536229103What is pollen and why does it matter? Using fresh, whimsical poems and dazzling close-up photographs, this book explores this nearly invisible grain and the vital role of the pollinators who carry it. Best for ages 2-5 years.
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- City of Leafcutter Ants: A Sustainable Society of Millions
FictionWritten by: Amy Hevron
Published by Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, 2024.
ISBN-13: 978-0823453184Take a deep dive into the fascinating world of leafcutter ants! Whether they’re farmers, nannies, cleaners, or even pharmacists, these little creatures have a lot to teach us humans! Best for ages 4-8 years.
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Clever Crow
FictionWritten by: Christine Butterworth
Illustrated by: Olivia Lomenech Gill
Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2024.
ISBN-13: 978-1536235425Meet these clever, crafty birds, and learn all about their incredible intelligence. Best for ages 3-7 years.
Category(ies): Birds
Keywords: crow
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall
Fiction, Non-FictionWritten by: Lynn Brunelle
Illustrated by: Jason Chin
Published 2024, Neal Porter Books/Holiday House
ISBN-13: 978-0823452286Death for one whale means life for an entire ecosystem of creatures. Take a deep dive into the fascinating science behind a single whale’s contribution to ocean life. 2025 Siebert Award Winner. Best for ages 4-8 years.
Category(ies): Habitats & Ecosystems, Mammals, Natural Cycles
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Log Life
Written by: Amy Hevron
Published by Beach Lane Books, February 20, 2024
ISBN-13: 978-1665934985A deep dive into a nurse-log habitat. When one of the oldest evergreen on the planet falls, it becomes food, a home, and more to an entire ecosystem. Best for ages 4-8 years.
Category(ies): Forest/Trees, Natural Cycles, Plants
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Noisy Puddle: A Vernal Pool Through the Seasons
Non-FictionWritten by: Linda Booth Sweeney
Illustrated by: Miki Sato
Publisher by Owlkids, March 15, 2024
ISBN-13: 978-1771475310In this vibrant picture book, two siblings observe the hidden world of a vernal pool. Young naturalists will be encouraged to listen, wait, and witness the seasonal changes of the puddle and its inhabitants.
Category(ies): Pond/Lake, Seasons
Keywords: vernal pond
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Bird Count
FictionWritten by: Susan Edwards Richmond
Illustrated by: Stephanie Fizer Coleman
Peachtree Publishing Company Inc., 2019
ISBN-13: 978-1561459544This book is a fictional narrative about a girl who participates in the Audubon Bird Count each year. The story follows Ava, her mother, and their team leader, Big Al, through a full day of the Bird Count. Readers are introduced to many different bird species and the rules of the Bird Count itself. At the end of the day, everyone comes together for a community campfire, shares stories, and celebrates another successful year of counting birds.
Category(ies): Birds
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Give Bees a Chance
Non-FictionBethany Barton
2019, ISBN-13 978-0593113721
This book is for anyone who doesn’t quite appreciate how extra special and important bees are to the world, and even to humankind! Besides making yummy honey, they help plants grow fruits and vegetables. And most bees wouldn’t hurt a fly (unless it was in self-defense!).
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Mason Meets a Mason Bee: An Educational Encounter with a Pollinator
FictionDawn V Pape and Heather Holm
ISBN-13 978-0985187750
Mason, like many other kids, is afraid of bees. Find out how an encounter with a mason bee changes Mason’s life; Mason conquers his fear of bees and is empowered to be like a superhero to help protect the bees. This story teaches timely and important lessons about wild bees, habitat, pesticide use and native plants–heavy topics in a light and fun way. There are definitely big concepts and big words introduced in this little book. That’s exactly what makes the book work so well for a wide audience. Even though the book looks and reads like a picture book for early elementary students, the science and social concepts are big enough for adults to ponder.
Category(ies): Habitats & Ecosystems, Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords: pesticide use, wild bees
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- What is Pollination?
Non-FictionBobbie Kalman
2011, ISBN-13 978-0778733065
Excellent overview of pollination, which critters are pollinators, etc. Includes good diagrams and excellent photos. Presents threats to all pollinators and offers good suggestions for ways to help pollinators. (Grades 2-3)
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- What Lily Gets from Bee and Other Pollination Facts (Plantology series)
Non-FictionEllen Lawrence
2013, ISBN-13 978-1617725876
Overview of bee pollination by focusing on lilies. While we wish the focus had been on a native plant, the book covers pollination generally and includes a variety of insect pollinators.
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
Keywords: pollination
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Sleepy Bee
FictionJohn Hutton, Illustrated by Sandra Gross
2014, ISBN 978-1936669271
This is a board book with simple text and inviting graphics that take us though a day in the life of a bee visiting various flowering plants. Not scientific, but a fun intro for very young kids. There is pollinator protection info on the back cover for parents. (0-3 years)
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
Keywords: board book
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Seeds, Bees, and Pollen
Non-FictionJulie K. Lundgren
2012, ISBN-13 978-1617419508
Though the title suggests the focus is on bees and pollen, the book actually covers how several different types of plants reproduce. (Grades 2-3)
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords: plant reproduction
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- National Geographic Readers: Bees
Non-FictionLaura Marsh
2016, ISBN-13 978-1426322822
This easy reader focuses on honey bees, their life cycle, and pollination. Excellent photos and technical descriptions. Includes a quiz at the end of the book. Makes reference to other species of bees, but does not go into detail. It also does not cover current threats to bees.
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords: honey bee
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Magnificent Monarchs
Non-FictionLinda Glaser
2000, ISBN-10 0761316367
With beautiful and realistic illustrations, this book describes the life cycle and migration of the monarch butterfly. It does not cover pollination, and much of the information is not presented in scientific terms (leaving some concepts a bit fuzzy), but the book provides a good general overview of the monarch butterfly.
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
Keywords: monarch butterfly
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Insect Pollinators
Non-FictionJennifer Boothroyd
2015, ISBN-13 978-1467760683
A first step nonfiction book, this introduces the very basics of pollination and how insects carry pollen from one flower to another. Excellent close-up photos of a variety of insects perched on flowers.
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords: pollination, pollinator
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Flowers are Calling
Non-FictionRita Gray with Illustrations by Kenard Pak
2015, ISBN-13 978-0544340121
Beautifully illustrated book about the critters our flowers are trying to attract. The text is rhyming and minimal; as a result, the beautiful illustrations become the feature. Covers all kinds of pollinators, including wild bees. Includes informational text at the back.
Category(ies): Plants
Keywords: pollinator
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Bumblebee Queen
Non-FictionApril Pulley Sayre with Illustrations by Patricia J. Wynne
2005, ISBN-13 978-1570913624
Focused exclusively on bumblebees (not species-specific), the book covers the life cycle with simple and informative text alongside detailed illustrations. At the back of the book are an overview of native bees, lists of resources for further reading, and actions one can take to protect bumblebees.
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
Keywords: bumblebee
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Animal Pollinators
Non-FictionBoothroyd, Jennifer
2015, ISBN-13 978-14677606900
This first step nonfiction reader doesn’t include bees at all; however, it’s a great introduction to pollination and the variety of animals that pollinate flowers (think lizards, possums and humans, too!).
Category(ies): Plants
Keywords: pollinator
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- I am a Turkey
FictionJim Arnosky
A rhyming text to chant or sing along to that explores the life of a wild turkey and its flock. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0439903645
Category(ies): Birds
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Wild and Tame Animals
Non-FictionDahlov Ipcar
Introduces young readers to the concept of wild and tame. Ages 3-7
ISBN-10: 1909263648
Category(ies): Wildlife
Keywords: wild and tame
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt
FictionSteve Metzger
Join three friends who go out to find autumn leaves. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0439873772
Category(ies): Forest/Trees
Keywords: leaves
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- We Dig Worms!
Non-FictionKevin McCloskey
Tour the underground world of earthworms and learn about their anatomy, habitat, form, function in the ecosystem. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 1935179801
Category(ies): Habitats & Ecosystems, Insects & Inverts, Soil
Keywords: earthworms
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt
FictionKate Messner
Explore the lives of many animals in a vegetable garden, above and below the soil. Ages 7-8
ISBN-10: 1452161365
Category(ies): Soil, Wildlife
Keywords: vegetable gardens
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Water Princess
FictionSusan Verde and Georgie Badiel
Modeled after Georgie Badiel’s childhood experiences, “The Water Princess” follows a young girl who wants to bring potable drinking water to her West African community. Ages 5-8
ISBN-10: 0399172588
Category(ies): Environmental Issues, Water Quailty
Keywords: drinking water
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps
Non-FictionJeanette Winter
This picture book biography traces Jane Goodall’s life from her childhood in the U.K. to her years studying chimpanzees in Tanzania to her environmental advocacy. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0375867740
Category(ies): Famous Conservationists
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Keeper of Wild Words
FictionBrooke Smith
A girl and her grandmother go out into nature to learn words that are disappearing from our language. Ages 5-8
ISBN-10: 1452170738
Category(ies): Nature, Nature Exploration
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Hike
FictionAlison Farrell
Three girls venture out for a day of hiking. Labeled illustrations help young readers discover plants and wildlife. Ages 3-5
ISBN-10: 145217461X
Category(ies): Plants, Wildlife
Keywords: hiking
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Busy Tree
FictionJennifer Ward
A rhyming text describes the activities that go on in a tree, including the wildlife the tree supports. Ages 3-7
ISBN-10: 0761455509
Category(ies): Forest/Trees, Wildlife
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- The Best Bug Parade
FictionStuart Murphy
A parade of bugs is the venue for learning sequencing, relationships, comparisons and other math concepts and skills. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0064467007
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
Keywords: math concepts
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Ten Little Caterpillars
FictionLois Ehlert
Illustrations of ten caterpillar species and the plants on which they feed, labeled by the plant name, provide young readers with a look at the movement of caterpillars while learning sequences from one to ten. Ages 2-8
ISBN-10: 1442433854
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Plants
Keywords: sequencing
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Seeds of Change
FictionJen Cullerton Johnson
Johnson details the life of the famous Kenyan environmental activist Wangarĩ Maathai. Ages 1-6
ISBN-10: 1600603679
Category(ies): Famous Conservationists
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Rachel Carson and Her Book That Changed the World
Non-FictionLaurie Lawlor
Pioneering environmentalist and author Rachel Carson is the subject of this picture book biography. Ages 6-8
ISBN-10: 0823431932
Category(ies): Environmental Writers
Keywords: Rachel Carson
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Over and Under the Snow
FictionKate Messner
A child and caregiver explore what lives on and under the snow in a forest. Ages 5-8
ISBN-10: 0545514422
Category(ies): Forest/Trees, Wildlife
Keywords: snow, winter
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Over and Under the Pond
FictionKate Messner
A child and caregiver explore interactions of species within a pond ecosystem. Ages 5-8
ISBN-10: 1452145426
Category(ies): Habitats & Ecosystems, Pond/Lake
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature
Non-FictionNicola Davies
A poetic description of a child’s interactions with nature that is experienced close to home. Ages 3-7
ISBN-10: 0763655495
Category(ies): Nature
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Outside In
FictionDeborah Underwood
Going outside provides opportunities for connecting with nature and value of time spent outdoors. Ages 4-7
ISBN-10: 1328866823
Category(ies): Nature
Keywords: connection
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Mossy
FictionJan Brett
A story of a turtle that is removed from, and eventually returned to, its aquatic habitat. Ages 3-5
ISBN-10: 0399257827
Category(ies): Reptiles and Amphibians, River/Riparian
Keywords: aquatic habitat, turtle
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Miss Maple’s Seeds
FictionEliza Wheeler
A little woman gathers abandoned seeds and nurtures them into beautiful plants. Ages 3-5
ISBN-10: 0399257926
Category(ies): Plants
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Lots of Spots
Non-FictionLois Ehlert
A book of illustrated poems about animal camouflage and coloration. Ages 2-4
ISBN-10: 1442489278
Category(ies): Nature, Wildlife
Keywords: camouflage, coloration
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Little Owl’s Snow
FictionDivya Srinivasan
Observe the change in the seasons, as winter approaches, from the perspective of a young owl. Ages 4-6
ISBN-10: 1338605082
Category(ies): Seasons
Keywords: winter
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Little Owl’s Night
FictionDivya Srinivasan
Compare life in the forest at night and in the day from the perspective of a young owl. Ages 4-6
ISBN-10: 0545790703
Category(ies): Forest/Trees
Keywords: day, diurnal, night, nocturnal
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Little Owl’s Day
FictionDivya Srinivasan
Compare life in the forest at night and in the day from the perspective of a young owl. Ages 4-6
ISBN-10: 0545916998
Category(ies): Forest/Trees
Keywords: day, diurnal, night, nocturnal
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Leaves
Non-FictionVijaya Khisty Bodach
An introduction to leaves, including their growth, their function, and types. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 073689621X
Category(ies): Forest/Trees, Plants
Keywords: leaves
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Kate and Pippin: An Unlikely Love Story
Non-FictionMartin Springett
The true story of an unusual relationship between a dog and a deer. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0805094879
Category(ies): Nature, Wildlife
Keywords: deer, dog
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Jingle Dancer
FictionCynthia Leitich Smith, Ying-Hwa Hu
A young Native American girl works with her community to help her prepare for dancing at a powwow. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0688162412
Category(ies): Native Culture
Keywords: powwow
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- I Like Animals
FictionDahlov Ipcar
One of many classics by Dahlov Ipcar that explores young children’s interest in animals and nature, this book examines a child’s love for animals. Ages 3-7
ISBN-10: 1909263253
Category(ies): Nature
Keywords: animals
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- How to Hide A Butterfly
Non-FictionRuth Hellers
Through illustrations and rhyming text, learn about the camouflage of insects. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0448404776
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts
Keywords: camouflage
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Hey Water!
FictionAntoinette Portis
A girl discovers the properties, sources, forms, and benefits of water. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0823441555
Category(ies): Pond/Lake, River/Riparian, Wetlands
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Hike
FictionPete Oswald
In this nearly wordless story, a child and father go on a hike in the mountains and connect with one another and nature. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 153620157X
Category(ies): Nature
Keywords: hiking, mountains
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Green
Non-FictionLaura Vaccaro Seeger
This Caldecott Honor book is a tribute to the color green and its various shades in our natural world. Ages 2-6
ISBN-10: 1596433973
Category(ies): Nature
Keywords: green
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Grandpa’s Garden
FictionStella Fry
The protagonist of this story experiences the magic of gardening and watching fruits and vegetables grow. Ages 5-6
ISBN-10: 1846868092
Category(ies): Plants
Keywords: gardening
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Gone Fishing
FictionEarlene R. Long
The life in a day of fishing for a young boy and his father. Ages 4-7
ISBN-10: 395442362
Category(ies): Fishing
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Gobble, Gobble
Non-FictionCathryn Falwell
Follow a girl’s discoveries as she observes a flock of wild turkeys in the course of a year. Ages 3-8
ISBN-10: 1584691495
Category(ies): Birds
Keywords: wild turkeys
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Freshwater Fishing
Non-FictionAllan Morey
This photo-illustrated book describes the basics of fishing, including information on gear, bait, tackle, and safety. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 1681520780
Category(ies): Fishing
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Eat Like a Bear
FictionApril Pulley Sayre
Posing the question, “Can you eat like a bear?” this book follows a brown bear as it forages for food throughout the year. Each month provides a different delicacy. Details are provided about the diet of the brown bear Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 805090398
Category(ies): Habitats & Ecosystems, Mammals
Keywords: brown bear, forage
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Earth Hour: A Lights-Out Event for Our Planet
Non-FictionNanette Heffernan
Each year, at 8:30 on a Saturday night near the spring equinox, people around the globe turn out their lights in observance of Earth Hour. Ages 3-7
ISBN-10: 1580899420
Category(ies): Seasons, Stewardship
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Earthworms
Non-FictionLisa Amstutz
Discover the form, habitat, and behaviors of earthworms. Ages 6-8
ISBN-10: 1515781073
Category(ies): Habitats & Ecosystems, Insects & Inverts
Keywords: earthworms
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Dotty
FictionPaola Opal
When Dotty wants to cross the stream like her mother, she looks at how other animals get across. Ages 2-4
ISBN-10: 1897476543
Category(ies): River/Riparian, Wildlife
Keywords:
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Daylight, Starlight Wildlife
Non-FictionWendell Minor
Compare and contrast day and night in nature, including the behaviors of diurnal and nocturnal wildlife species. Ages 3-5
ISBN-10: 0545946049
Category(ies): Wildlife
Keywords: diurnal, nocturnal
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Cat in the Hat, Knows a Lot About That! I Love the Nightlife!
FictionTish Rabe
Sally, Nick, and the Cat in the Hat rely on the help of nocturnal animals who use their keen vision, hearing, and sense of smell to locate the Cat’s lost hat. Ages 3-7
ISBN-10: 0375863547
Category(ies): Senses, Wildlife
Keywords: nocturnal
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Budding Biologist, Am I an Insect?
Non-FictionKristine Duehl
Through guided questions, young learners distinguish insects from other animals. Ages 4-8
ISBN-10: 0985548100
Category(ies): Insects & Inverts, Wildlife
Keywords: guided questions
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade
- Birds
FictionKevin Henkes
A young girl’s imagination and curiosity are stimulated as she watches birds from her window. Ages 3-5
ISBN-10: 0061363047
Category(ies): Birds
Keywords: watching birds
Age Group: Pre K-2nd grade