Bibliography

Theme 8: Our Earth

The books listed below may be available through publishers, distributors such as bookstores or online retailers, or library systems.

Recommended Leveled Books for Independent Reading

Below Level

I Like Bugs by Margaret Wise Brown
Golden 1999 (32p) also paper
In brief text, the narrator of this poem lists the many kinds of bugs he likes.
Multicultural

The Earth Is Good by Michael DeMunn
Scholastic 1999 (32p)
A simple chant teaches children to appreciate the Earth and all its gifts.
Multicultural

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
Harcourt 1987 (40p) also paper
A child and his father plant vegetables and harvest them for soup. Available in Spanish as A sembrar sopa de verduras.

I Like Stars by Margaret Wise Brown
Golden 1998 (32p) also paper
The narrator of this brief poem tells about all the different stars he likes.

Autumn by Gail Saunders-Smith
Pebble 1998 (24p)
Autumn brings changes in weather, plants, and animals. See others in series.
Science

Earth, Sky, Wet, Dry by Durga Bernhard
Orchard 2000 (32p)
In a book of nature opposites, readers discover the many plants and animals that live in and around a pear tree.
Science

In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming
Holt 1993 (32p) also paper
Lively pond denizens wade, hover, swoop, and splash in this rhyming Caldecott Honor story.

The Earth and I by Frank Asch
Harcourt 1994 (32p)
A boy describes his special relationship with the Earth.

Sunshine, Moonshine by Jennifer Armstrong
Random 1997 (32p) paper
A boy wakes to bright sunlight and goes to bed by bright moonlight in this rhyming story.

I Am an Apple by Jean Marzollo
Scholastic 1997 (32p) also paper
A simple description of how an apple grows, blooms, and ripens.
Science

On Level

I Went to the Bay by Ruth Miller
Kids Can 1999 (32p)
A boy who goes to the bay to look for frogs sees many other creatures.

The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Scholastic 1996 (32p) also paper
Two sisters observe their backyard apple tree change through the seasons.
Science

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Philomel 1969 (32p)
A caterpillar eats its way through the days of a week and turns into a beautiful butterfly. Available in Spanish as La oruga muy hambrienta.
Classic

* Elephants Swim by Linda Capus Riley
Houghton 1995 (32p)
Rhyming text presents how different animals behave in the water.
Science

Singing Robins by Fay Robinson
Lerner 2000 (32p) also paper
A look at the life of a robin, a familiar backyard bird. See others in series.
Science

Tale of a Tadpole by Karen Wallace
DK 1998 (32p) also paper
In his pond home, a tadpole grows into a golden-skinned frog. See others in series.
Science

Above Level

Our Earth by Anne Rockwell
Harcourt 1998 (32p) also paper
An introduction to geography explains some of the Earth's features.
Science

Snow Is Falling by Franklyn M. Branley
Harper 2000 (32p) also paper
Snow is good for plants, animals, and people. See others in series.
Science

The Top and Bottom of the World by Allan Fowler
Children's 1997 (32p) also paper
Facts about the coldest regions of the Earth.
Science

How a Seed Grows by Helene J. Jordan
Harper 1992 (32p) also paper
A description of how seeds grow into plants. Available in Spanish as Como crece una semilla.
Science

Animals Under the Ground by Allan Fowler
Children's 1997 (32p)
A photo essay describes woodchucks and other animals who live underground.
Science