Children's Literature

Selected Children’s Literature

(Taken from MDC Nature Revealed)

The following list of children’s literature is arranged by theme or topic. Both fiction and nonfiction books have been included, and selections were based on quality, realistic portrayal of animals in their natural habitat, accurate and factual information, and relevance to concepts children might construct from this topic.

Air and Water

v  Asch, F. (1995). Water. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1948).

v  Berger, M. A., & Mirocha, P. (1994). Oil spill! New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Branley, F. M., & O’Brien, J. (2006). Air is all around you. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1986).

v  Cole, J., & Degen, B. (2004). The magic school bus at the waterworks. New York, NY: Scholastic. (Original work published 1986).

v  Dorros, A. (2000). Follow the water from brook to ocean. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1991).

Amphibians and Reptiles

v  Arnosky, J. (2009). Slither and crawl: Eye to eye with reptiles. New York, NY: Sterling.

v  Berger, M. A., & Lloyd, M. (2000). Look out for turtles! New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1992).

v  Berkes, M. (2000). Marsh music. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press.

v  French, V., & Bartlett, A. (2003). Growing frogs: Read and wonder. Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

v  George, W. T., & George, L. B. (1989). Box turtle at long pond. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

v  Gibbons, G. (1994). Frogs. New York, NY: Holiday House. (Original work published 1993).

v  Hawes, J., & Fraser, A. (2000). Why frogs are wet. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1975).

v  Heller, R. (1995). How to hide a meadow frog and other amphibians. New York, NY: Grosset and Dunlap. (Original work published 1986).

v  Kalan, R., & Barton, B. (1989). Jump, frog, jump! New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. (Original work published 1986).

v  Lauber, P., & Keller, H. (2002). Snakes are hunters. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1988).

v  Mazer, A., Johnson, S., & Fancher, L. (1994). The salamander room. New York, NY: Dragonfly Books. (Original work published 1991).

v  Pallotta, J. (1990). The frog alphabet book. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

v  Pfeffer, W., & Keller, H. (1994). From tadpole to frog. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Animals in General

v  Aronsky, J. (2002). Field trips: Bug hunting, animal tracking, bird watching, shore walking. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Barrett, J., & Barrett, R. (1988). Animals should definitely not wear clothing. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. (Original work published 1970).

v  Holzwarth, W., & Erlbruch, W. (2007). The story of the little mole that went in search of whodunit. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams. (Original work published 1993).

v  Jenkins, S., & Page, R. (2003). What do you do with a tail like this? New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.

v  Nail, J. D. (1996). Whose tracks are these? A clue book of familiar forest animals. New York, NY: Roberts Rinehart.

v  Ryder, J., & Wolff, A. (2000). Each living thing. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Children’s Books.

v  Ryder, J., & Cherry, L. (1988). The snail's spell. London, UK: Puffin.

v  Yee, W. H. (2003). Tracks in the snow. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Birds

v  Arnosky, J. (2011). Thunder birds: Nature’s flying predators. New York, NY: Sterling.

v  Cherry, L. (2001). Flute’s journey: The life of a wood thrush. Orlando, FL: Harcourt School Publishers. (Original work published 1997).

v  Ehlert, L. (1996). Feathers for lunch. Orlando, FL: Sandpiper. (Original work published 1990).

v  Gibbons, G. (2001). Ducks! New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Gibbons, G. (2006). Owls. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Jenkins, P. B., & Rockwell, L. (1995). A nest full of eggs. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Johnston, T., & Ray, D. K. (2000). The barn owls. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

v  Mazzola Jr., F. (1997). Counting is for the birds. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

v  Sayer, A. P., & Jenkins, S. (2007). Vulture view. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

v  Yolen, J., & Schoenherr, J. (1987). Owl moon. New York, NY: Philomel.

Camping

v  Baylor, B., & Parnall, P. (1997). The other way to listen. New York, NY: Aladdin. (Original work published 1978).

v  Bunting, E., & Cocca-Leffler, M. (2003). I don’t want to go to camp. Honesdale, PA: Boyds Mills Press. (Original work published 1996).

v  George, K. O., Kiesler, K. (2001). Toasting marshmallows: Camping poems. New York, NY: Clarion Books.

v  Huneck, S. (2001). Sally goes to the mountains. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

v  Van Dusen, C. (2003). A camping spree with Mr. Magee. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books.

v  Williams, V. B. (1984). Three days on a river in a red canoe. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

v  Wolff, A. (2006). Stella & Roy go camping. San Francisco, CA: Yosemite Conservancy. (Original work published 1999).

Clouds

v  Birmingham, J. (2007). Cloudland. New York, NY: Red Fox.

v  de Paola, T. (1975). The cloud book. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Locker, T. (2000). Cloud dance. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Children’s Books.

v  Rau, D. M., & Shea, D. (2005). Fluffy, flat, and wet: A book about clouds. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books.

v  Shaw, C. G. (1988). It looked like spilt milk. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1947).

v  Sherman, J., & Wesley, O. (2003). Shapes in the sky: A book about clouds. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books.

Energy

v  Berger, M. A., & Croll, C. (2001). Switch on, switch off. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1989).

v  Cole, J., & Degen, B. (1999). The magic school bus and the electric field trip. Logan, IA: Perfection Learning. (Original work published 1997).

Fish

v  Kalan, R., & Crews, D. (1992). Blue sea. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. (Original work published 1979).

v  Lionni, L. (1973). Swimmy. New York, NY: Dragonfly Books. (Original work published 1963).

v  Pfeffer, W., & Keller, H. (1996). What’s it like to be a fish? New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1973).

Food Chains

v  Facklam, M., & Long, S. (1999). Bugs for lunch. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

v  Hutchings, P. (1971). Rosie's walk. Logan, IA: Perfection Learning.

v  Jenkins, S. (2001). What do you do when something wants to eat you? Orlando, FL: Sandpiper. (Original work published 1997).

v  Lauber, P., & Keller, H. (1994). Who eats what? Food chains and food webs. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Habitat

v  Dunphy, M. (2007). Here is the wetland. Berkeley, CA: Web of Life Children’s Books. (Original work published 1997).

v  Falwell, C. (2008). Scoot! New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

v  Fleming, D. (1995). In the tall, tall grass. New York, NY: Square Fish. (Original work published 1991).

v  Fleming, D. (1998). In the small, small pond. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company. (Original work published 1993).

v  Fraser, M. A. (1998). Where are the night animals? New York, NY: HarperCollins

v  George, L. B. (1998). In the woods: Who’s been here? New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. (Original work published 1995).

v  George, L. B. (1996). Around the pond: Who’s been here? New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

v  George, L. B. (2006). In the garden: Who’s been here? New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

v  Gibbons, G. (1996). Caves and caverns. Orlando, FL: Sandpiper. (Original work published 1993).

v  Gibbons, G. (1998). Marshes & swamps. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Kitchen, B. (1995). And so they build. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

v  O’Connor, J., & Glasser, R. P. (2009). Fancy Nancy: Explorer extraordinaire! New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Silver, D. M., & Wynne, P. (1997). One small square: Swamp. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

v  Silver, D. M., & Wynne, P. (1997. One small square: Pond. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

v  Silver, D. M., & Wynne, P. (1997). One small square: Backyard. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

v  Silver, D. M., & Wynne, P. (1997). One small square: Woods. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Harvest and Seeds

v  Beskow, E. (1997). Pelle's new suit. Edinburgh, UK: Floris Books. (Original work published 1912).

v  Carle, E. (1991). The tiny seed. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. (Original work published 1970).

v  dePaola, T. (1982). Charlie needs a cloak. New York, NY: Aladdin Books. (Original work published 1973).

v  Ehlert, L. (2002). Market day. Orlando, FL: Sandpiper Press. (Original work published 2000).

v  Gibbons, G. (1987). The milk makers. New York, NY: Aladdin. (Original work published 1985).

v  Gibbons, G. (2000). Apples. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Gibbons, G. (2007). The vegetables we eat. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Hall, Z., & Halpern, S. (1999). It's pumpkin time! New York, NY: Scholastic Paperbacks.

v  Jordan, H. J., & Krupinski, L. (2000). How a seed grows. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1992).

v  Maestro, B., & Maestro, G. (2000). How do apples grow? New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1992).

v  Pfeffer, W., & Hale, J. G. (2004). From seed to pumpkin. Logan, IA: Perfection Learning.

v  Rockwell, A., & Rockwell, L. (2011). Apples and pumpkins. New York, NY: Aladdin. (Original work published 1988).

v  Slawson, M. B. (1998). Apple picking time. New York, NY: Dragonfly Books. (Original work published 1994).

Insects

v  Arnosky, J. (2012). Creep and flutter: The secret world of insects and spiders. New York, NY: Sterling Children’s Books.

v  Allen, J., & Humphries, T. (2004). Are you a dragonfly? London, UK: Kingfisher.

v  Berger, M. A., & Lloyd, M. (1998). Chirping crickets. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Bunting, E., & Shed, G. (1999). Butterfly house. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

v  Cassie, B., & Pallota, J. (1995). The butterfly alphabet book. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

v  Cole, J., & Degen, B. (1998). The magic school bus: Inside a beehive. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. (Original work published 1996).

v  Ehlert, L. (2001). Waiting for wings. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Children’s Books.

v  French, V., & Voake, C. (2009). Caterpillar caterpillar. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. (Original work published 1993).

v  Gibbons, G. (1991). Monarch butterfly. New York, NY: Holiday House. (Original work published 1989).

v  Heiligman, D., & Weissman, B. (1996). From caterpillar to butterfly. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Heller, R. (1992). How to hide a butterfly and other insects. New York, NY: Gross & Dunlap. (Original work published 1985).

v  Himmelman, J. (1998). A ladybug’s life. New York, NY: Children’s Press.

v  Himmelman, J., & Stewart, M. (1998). A luna moth’s life. New York, NY: Children’s Press.

v  Jenkins, S. (2012). The beetle book. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children.

v  Lionni, L. (1995). Inch by inch. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1960).

v  Martin Jr., B., & Ehlert, L. (2011). Ten little caterpillars. La Jolla, CA: Beach Lane Books.

v  Pallotta, J., & Masiello, R. (1987). The icky bug alphabet book. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

v  Parker, N. W., & Wright, J. R. (1988). Bugs. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. (Original work published 1987).

v  Rinehart, S. C., & Hovemann, A. C. (2004). Eliza and the dragonfly. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications.

v  Ryder, J., & Cherry, L. (1996). Where butterflies grow. London, UK: Puffin. (Original work published 1989).

v  Sturges, P., & Vojtech, A. (1997). Ten flashing fireflies. New York, NY: North-South Books. (Original work published 1995).

v  Zoehfeld, K. W., & Buchs, T. (1996). Ladybug at orchard avenue: Smithsonian’s backyard. Norwalk, CT: Soundprints.

Land Use

v  Baker, J. (2004). Home. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

v  Burton, V. L. (1978). The little house. Orlando, FL: Sandpiper. (Original work published 1942).

v  Cooney, B. (1982). Miss Rumphius. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile.

v  Fleming, D. (2000). Where once there was a wood. New York, NY: Square Fish. (Original work published 1991).

v  McLerran, A. (2004). Roxaboxen. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. (Original work published 1991).

v  McCloskey, R. (1948). Blueberries for Sal. New York, NY: Viking Press.

v  Peet, B. (1981). Farewell to shady glade. Orlando, FL: Sandpiper. (Original work published 1966).

v  Yolen, J. (1995). Letting swift river go. London, UK: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. (Original work published 1992).

Mammals

v  Arnosky, J. (2008). Wild tracks! A guide to nature’s footprints. New York, NY: Sterling.

v  Aronsky, J. (1999). Otters under water. London, UK: Puffin.

v  Banks, K., & Hallensleben, G. (2007). Fox. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (Original work published 1998).

v  Gibbons, G. (2000). Bats. New York, NY: Holiday House. (Original work published 1999).

v  Pallotta, J. (1990). The furry alphabet book. Watertown, MA Charlesbridge.

v  Sherro, V., & Davis, A. (2000). Chipmunk at hollow tree lane: Smithsonian’s backyard. Norfolk, CT: Soundprint. (Original work published 1994).

Plants and Flowers

v  Bunting, E. (1999). Sunflower house. Orlando, FL: Sandpiper. (Original work published 1996).

v  Ehlert, L. (1987). Growing vegetable soup. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Children’s Books.

v  Gibbons, G. (1993). From seed to plant. New York, NY: Holiday House. (Original work published 1991).

v  Krauss, R., & Johnson, C. (2004). The carrot seed. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1945).

v  Krauss, R., & Oxenbury, H. (2007). The growing story. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1947).

v  Pallotta, J., & Evans, L. (1989). The flower alphabet book. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing.

v  Samson, S. M., & Neel, P. (1994). Fairy dusters and blazing stars: Exploring wildflowers with children. Lanham, MD: Roberts Rinehart Publishers.

v  Stewart, S., & Small, D. (1997). The gardener. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Rocks

v  Brandenberg, A. (1990). Fossils tell of long ago. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1972).

v  Branley, F., & Lloyd, M. (2005). Earthquakes. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1990).

v  Christian, P., & Lember, B. H. (2000). If you find a rock. New York, NY: Harcourt Children’s Books.

v  Cole, J., & Degen, B. (1989). The magic school bus: Inside the earth. New York, NY: Scholastic Press. (Original work published 1987).

v  Gans, R., & Keller, H. (1997). Let’s go rock collecting. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Hiscock, B. (1999). The big rock. New York, NY: Aladdin. (Original work published 1988).

v  Hurst, C. O., Stevenson, J. (2001). Rocks in his head. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

v  Lionni, L. (1995). On my beach there are many pebbles. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1961).

v  Murphy, S., & Smith, C. B. (2000). Dave’s down-to-earth rock shop. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Rosinsky, N. M. (2002). Rocks: Hard, soft, smooth, and rough. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books.

v  Tomecek, S., & Poling, K. (2010). Jump into science: Rocks and minerals. Washington, DC: National Geographic Children’s Books.

Seasons

v  Beskow, E., M. (2008). Around the year. Edinburgh, UK: Floris Books. (Original work published 1927).

v  Branley, F. M., & Maestro, G. (2005). Sunshine makes the seasons. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1985).

v  Burton, V. L. (1974). Katy and the big snow. Orlando, FL: Sandpiper. (Original work published 1971).

v  Ehlert, L. (1995). Snowballs. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Children’s Books.

v  Gibbons, G. (1995). The reasons for seasons. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Gomi, T. (2000). Spring is here. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. (Original work published 1989).

v  Keats, E. J. (1962). The snowy day. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile.

v  Maass, R. (1992). When autumn comes. New York, NY: Square Fish. (Original work published 1990).

v  Provensen, A., & Provensen, M. (2001). The year at maple hill farm. New York, NY: Aladdin. (Original work published 1978).

v  Rylant, C., & Kastner, J. (2000). In November. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Children’s Books.

v  Sams II, Carl R., & Stoick, J. (1999). Stranger in the woods: A photographic fantasy. Milford, MI: Carl R. Sams II

Photography

v  Tudor, Tasha. (2001). Around the year. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. (Original work published 1957).

v  Updike, J., & Hyman, T. S. (1999). A child’s calendar. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Yee, W. H. (2012). Summer days and nights. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

Soil

v  Bailey, J., & Lilly, M. (2006). Cracking up: A story about erosion. Minneapolis, MN: Picture Window Books.

v  Glaser, L., & Krupinski, L. (1994). Wonderful worms. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook Press. (Original work published 1992).

v  Fredericks, A. D., & DiRubbio, J. (2001). Under one rock: Bugs, slugs and other ughs. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications.

v  Himmelman, J. (2000). An earthworm’s life. New York, NY: Scholastic.

Spiders

v  Berger, M. A., & Schindler, S. D. (2003). Spinning spiders. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Gibbons, G. (1993). Spiders. New York, NY: Holiday House.

Trees and Forests

v  Brenner, B., & Leonard, T. (2004). One small place in a tree. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Gerber, C., & Evans, L. (2009). Winter trees. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.

v  Lauber, P., Keller, H. (1994). Be a friend to trees. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Maestro, Betsy. 1994. Why do leaves change colors? New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Udry, J. M., & Simont, M. (1987). A tree is nice. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1956).

Weather

v  Branley, F. M., & Maestro, G. (1990). Tornado alert. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1988).

v  Branley, F. M., & Hale, J. G. (1997). Down comes the rain. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

v  Branley, F. M., & Kelley, T. (1999). Flash, crash, rumble and roll. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1964).

v  DeWitt, L., & Croll, C. (1993). What will the weather be? Logan, IA: Perfection Learning.

v  Gibbons, G. (1990). Weather words and what they mean. New York, NY: Holiday House.

v  Hutchins, P. (1993). The wind blew. New York, NY: Aladdin. (Original work published 1974).

v  Kalan, R., & Crews, D. (1991). Rain. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books. (Original work published 1978).

v  Shulevitz, U. (1998). Snow. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

v  Tresselt, A., & Duvoisin, R. (1988). White snow, bright snow. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1947).

v  Tresselt, A., & Duvoisin, R. (1988). Hide and seek fog. New York, NY: HarperCollins. (Original work published 1965).

v  Zolotow, C., & Graham, M. B. (1989). The storm book. New York, NY: HarperCollins.