Books for Independent Reading
VERY EASY
- Growing Colors
- by Bruce Macmillan
(Science/Health)
Morrow 1988 (32p); Mulberry 1994
paper
Spectacular photographs reveal the
different colors in fruits and
vegetables.
- Crinkleroot's 25 Birds Every
Child Should Know
- by Jim Arnosky
(Science/Health)
Bradbury 1993 (32p)
Twenty-five different birds are named
and illustrated. See others in series.
- Quiet, Please
- by Eve Merriam
(Science/Health)
Simon 1993 (32p)
This book presents a series of quiet
moments in nature.
- Shapes in Nature
- by Judy Feldman
(Science/Health)
Childrens 1991 (32p)
Various shapes are highlighted in
photos from nature.
- In the Tall, Tall Grass
- by Denise Fleming
(Science/Health)
Holt 1991 (32p)
A child watches all sorts of creatures
making their way through the grass.
- All Night Near the Water
- by Jim Arnosky
(Science/Health)
Putnam 1994 (32p)
Twelve newly hatched ducklings spend
their first night on a lake with their
mother.
EASY
- It Could Still Be a Mammal
- by Allan Fowler
(Science/Health)
Childrens 1990 (32p); also paper
Characteristics of mammals are
outlined and specific mammals are
identified. Available in Spanish as
Podría ser un mamífero. See others
in series.
- Peeping and Sleeping
- by Fran Manushkin
(Science/Health)
Clarion 1994 (32p)
A boy and his father follow the sounds
they hear one spring night and discover
peepers in the pond.
- Every Autumn Comes the Bear
- by Jim Arnosky
(Science/Health)
Putnam 1993 (32p)
Each autumn, a bear makes its
appearance in the woods behind the
author's farm.
- Red Fox
- by Karen Wallace
(Science/Health)
Candlewick 1994 (32p)
This book gives a glimpse of the life of the red fox, a
shy creature but a bold hunter.
- At the Beach
- by Huy Voun Lee
(Multicultural)
Holt 1994 (32p)
In beach sand, Xiao Ming practices
writing Chinese characters to describe
the world around her.
- It Could Still Be a Tree
- by Allan Fowler
(Science/Health)
Childrens 1990 (32p)
Information about trees is presented in simple terms.
Available in Spanish asPodría
ser un árbol. See others in series.
AVERAGE
- Box Turtle at Long Pond
- by William T. George
(Science/Health)
Greenwillow 1989 (24p)
Realistic paintings accompany a
description of a box turtle's search for
food.
- All About Alligators
- by Jim Arnosky
(Science/Health)
Scholastic 1994 (32p)
This book provides an introduction to the life cycle, prey,
and habits of the fascinating alligator.
- Dear Mr. Blueberry
- by Simon James
(Social Studies)
McElderry 1991 (24p)
Emily asks her teacher for advice about
the whale that she claims lives in her
backyard pond.
- The Quicksand Book
- by Tomie dePaola
(Science/Health)
Holiday 1977 (32p); also paper
Facts about quicksand are related
through the funny story of Jungle Boy
and Jungle Girl. Available in
Spanish asEl libro de las arenas
movedizas.
- At Home in the Coral Reef
- by Katy Muzik
(Science/Health)
Charlesbridge 1992 (32p)
Readers explore the different worlds
of coral reefs. Available in Spanish
asDentro del arrecife de coral.
- Story of a Dolphin
- by Katherine Orr
(Multicultural)
Carolrhoda 1993 (32p)
Based on a true story, this book depicts
a dolphin's friendship with a group of
Caribbean islanders.
- From Tadpole to Frog
- by Wendy Pfeffer
(Science/Health)
Harper 1994 (32p); also paper
This book looks at how tadpoles metamorphose
into frogs.
- Owl Moon
- by Jane Yolen
(Science/Health)
Philomel 1987 (32p)
On a winter evening, a young girl and
her father go looking for owls in the
woods.
- V for Vanishing: An Alphabet of
Endangered Animals
- by Patricia Mullins
(Science/Health)
Harper 1994 (32p)
From the armadillo to the zebra,
children learn about the plight of
different endangered animals.
- All I See
- by Cynthia Rylant
(Art)
Orchard 1988 (32p); also paper
Charlie is surprised when an artist's
picture of the lake looks different from
what he sees.
- In the Woods: Who's Been Here?
- by Lindsey Barrett George
(Science/Health)
Greenwillow 1995 (32p)
On a walk through the woods, a boy
and a girl find clues to those animals that
have been there before them.
CHALLENGING
- A Walk in the Wild
- by Lorraine Ward
(Science/Health)
Charlesbridge 1993 (32p)
Children learn how a wildlife refuge
operates in this book featuring Aransas
National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.
Available in Spanish asUn
paseo por la naturaleza.
- What's Inside? Animal Homes
- by Alexandra Parsons
(Science/Health)
Dorling Kindersley 1993 (17p)
This book provides a glimpse inside animal homes,
including a beaver's lodge and a
rabbit's warren.
- Antarctica
- by Helen Cowcher
(Science/Health)
Farrar 1990 (32p); Sunburst 1991 paper
Focusing on three species that live in
Antarctica, this story reveals how
humans can disrupt the balance of
nature. Available in Spanish as
Antártida.
- Joey: The Story of a Baby
Kangaroo
- by Hope Ryden
(Science/Health)
Tambourine 1994 (40p)
This photo essay follows the growth of
a young grey kangaroo.
- The Bee Tree
- by Patricia Polacco
(Social Studies)
Philomel 1993 (32p)
A grandfather teaches his granddaughter
the value of reading by showing her
how to follow a bee to its honey tree.
- Nate the Great Stalks Stupidweed
- by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
(Science/Health)
Putnam 1986 (48p); Dell 1989 paper
Nate, a young detective, takes on the
case of a missing plant. See others in
series.
- Why Do Leaves Change Color?
- by Betsy Maestro
(Science/Health)
Harper 1994 (32p); also paper
This book gives an explanation of how leaves change
their color in autumn.
- Antler, Bear, Canoe: A
Northwoods Alphabet Year
- by Betsy Bowen
(Social Studies)
Little 1991 (32p)
A different aspect of life in the
northern woods is described with each
letter of the alphabet.
- Spoonbill Swamp
- by Brenda Guiberson
(Science/Health)
Holt 1992 (32p)
A mother spoonbill and a mother
alligator, natural enemies, cross paths
while searching for food for their
young.
- One Small Square: Backyard
- by Donald M. Silver
(Science/Health)
Scientific American 1993 (48p)
A small patch of ordinary earth in a
backyard teems with plant and animal
life.
Books for Teachers to Read Aloud
- What Neat Feet!
- by Hana Machotka
(Science/Health)
Morrow 1991 (32p)
The feet of cats, elephants, and other
animals are featured in this guess-and-learn book.
- Leave That Cricket Be, Alan Lee
- by Barbara Ann Porte
(Multicultural)
Greenwillow 1993 (32p)
Alan Lee tries to catch a singing
cricket.
- A Tree Place and Other Poems
- by Constance Levy
McElderry 1994 (40p)
This book presents forty poems about nature.
- A Sea of Grass: The Tallgrass
Prairie
- by David Dvorak, Jr.
(Science/Health)
Macmillan 1994 (32p)
Readers explore the plant and animal
life of a rare ecosystem.
Books for Shared Reading
- Small Green Snake
- by Libba Moore Gray
Orchard 1994 (32p)
A small green snake disobeys his
mother, leaves home, and gets into
trouble.
- Counting Cranes
- by Mary Beth Owens
(Math)
Little 1993 (32p)
This counting book describes whooping
cranes.