The Best Picture Books about the Solar System and Constellations for Children in Preschool through Elementary

Hello everyone!

One thing that most people don’t know about me is that I love stars and the solar system. Although I am by no means an astronomer or even an amateur stargazer, I always feel in awe when I view the night sky or look at pictures or videos of outer space. Looking up at the stars always makes me feel closer to God.

Below is a selection of books that give facts about our solar system (sun, moon, and planets) and constellations. And since I was personally very unhappy when Pluto was declared to no longer be a planet, I also included books that explain why Pluto was demoted to a dwarf planet. I sorted the book recommendations into categories: Planets (books that cover all the planets and a section for each individual planet), Dwarf Planets, Sun and Moon, and Stars (other than the sun). After the book recommendations, I listed space-themed activities, crafts, science experiments, sensory activities, and snacks.

I hope the space picture books and fun activities inspire your young readers’ fascination with our solar system and the universe!

Planets

Eight Spinning Planets by Brian James, illustrated by Russell Benfanti gives a rhyming overview of the planets. The pages are cardboard and the planets are made of raised plastic, which makes the book ideal for children birth to kindergarten.

Nerdy Babies: Space by Emmy Kastner introduces kids to outer space and the eight planets. The age of the book characters makes the target audience birth to three, but if the listeners will forgive the narrator for addressing them as babies, the text and images can be enjoyed by kids as old as six.

Planets by Martha E. H. Rustad gives an overview of the planets. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System (Revised Edition) by Tish Rabe, illustrated by Aristides Ruiz gives a rhyming overview of the planets, constellations, sun, and moon. This book is ideal for children in preschool-3rd grade.

Mercury

Mercury by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, temperature, and terrain. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Mercury and Venus by Rosalind Mist gives an overview of Mercury and Venus. This book is ideal for children in pre-k-3rd grade. The large font size and sentence length make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Do You Really Want to Visit Mercury? by Thomas K. Adamson, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri presents facts about Mercury through the story of a girl wanting to go to Mercury to fix a problem she is having on Earth, her trip to Mercury, her time on Mercury, and her realizing what’s great about Earth. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Mercury by Jody S. Rake gives an overview of the planet including what we know about its discovery; where its name came from; and its size, location in the solar system, temperature, and terrain. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Venus

Venus by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, temperature, and terrain. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Mercury and Venus by Rosalind Mist gives an overview of Mercury and Venus. This book is ideal for children in pre-k-3rd grade. The large font size and sentence length make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Do You Really Want to Visit Venus? by Thomas K. Adamson, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri presents facts about Venus through the story of a girl wanting to go to Venus to improve her science project, how long it takes to get to Venus, her time on Venus, and her realizing what’s great about Earth. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Venus by Jody S. Rake gives an overview of the planet including what we know about its discovery; where its name came from; and its size, location in the solar system, temperature, and terrain. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Earth

Earth by Martha E. H. Rustad gives an overview of Earth and its life-supporting features. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Earth by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, how seasons are made, and its makeup from the core to the atmosphere. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Earth by Jody S. Rake gives an overview of the planet including where its name came from and its size, location in the solar system, temperature, and terrain. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Mars

Mars by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, seasons, and terrain. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Mars by Jody S. Rake gives an overview of the planet including what we know about its discovery; where its name came from; and its size, location in the solar system, temperature, and terrain. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

To Mars! by Gina Bellisario, illustrated by Mike Moran is about a girl named Avery who imagines that she goes to Mars. Facts about Mars are presented as Avery does things on Mars. This book is ideal for children in kindergarten-2nd grade.

Is There Life on Mars by Michael Portman gives information about Mars and why people thought, and some still think, there could be life on it. This book is ideal for children in 2nd-5th grade.

Jupiter

Jupiter by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, that it is made of gas, and that it has many storms. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Jupiter and Saturn by Rosalind Mist gives an overview of Jupiter and Saturn. This book is ideal for children in pre-k-3rd grade. The large font size and sentence length make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Do You Really Want to Visit Jupiter? by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri presents facts about Jupiter through the story of a boy who wants to go to Jupiter, his time on Jupiter and some of its moons, and his realizing what’s great about Earth. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Jupiter by Steve Foxe gives an overview of the planet including what we know about its discovery; where its name came from; and its size, location in the solar system, and that it is a gas giant. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Saturn

Saturn by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, moons, and that it is made of gas. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Jupiter and Saturn by Rosalind Mist gives an overview of Jupiter and Saturn. This book is ideal for children in pre-k-3rd grade. The large font size and sentence length make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Do You Really Want to Visit Saturn? by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri presents facts about Saturn through the story of a boy wanting to live on another planet, how long it takes to get to Saturn, his time on Saturn, and his realizing what’s great about Earth. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Saturn by Steve Foxe gives an overview of the planet including what we know about its discovery; where its name came from; and its size, location in the solar system, and that it is a gas giant. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Uranus

Uranus by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, seasons, and that it is an ice giant. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Uranus and Neptune by Rosalind Mist gives an overview of Uranus, Neptune, and the dwarf planets. Since the book was published in 2012, some of the information is outdated. For example, Pluto has five moons, not three. This book is ideal for children in pre-k-3rd grade. The large font size and sentence length make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Do You Really Want to Visit Uranus? by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri presents facts about Uranus through the story of a boy wanting to take pictures of Uranus, how long it takes to get to Uranus, his time on Uranus, and his realizing what’s great about Earth. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Uranus by Steve Foxe gives an overview of the planet including what we know about its discovery; where its name came from; and its size, location in the solar system, and that it is an ice giant. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Neptune

Neptune by J.P. Bloom gives an overview of the planet, including its location in the solar system, temperature, and that it is a gas giant. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Uranus and Neptune by Rosalind Mist gives an overview of Uranus, Neptune, and the dwarf planets. Since the book was published in 2012, some of the information is outdated. For example, Pluto has five moons, not three. This book is ideal for children in pre-k-3rd grade. The large font size and sentence length make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Do You Really Want to Visit Neptune? by Bridget Heos, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri presents facts about Neptune through the story of a girl wanting to go to Neptune to get away from a problem she is having on Earth, how long it takes to get to Neptune, her time on Neptune, and her curiosity about what lies beyond Neptune causing her to continue traveling. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Neptune by Steve Foxe gives an overview of the planet including what we know about its discovery; where its name came from; and its size, location in the solar system, and that it is an ice giant. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Dwarf Planets

A Place for Pluto by Stef Wade, illustrated by Melanie Demmer tells the story of Pluto being told he’s not a planet anymore. In his search for where he belongs in the galaxy, Pluto compares himself to comets, meteoroids, and asteroids, but he is not any of those. Finally, he meets other dwarf planets and finds out what he is and where he fits. This book is ideal for children in preschool through 2nd grade.

Dwarf Planets by Fran Howard presents information about Ceres, Pluto, and Eris. Since the book was published in 2008, some of the information is outdated. For example, Pluto has five moons, not three. This book is ideal for children in 1st-4th grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Pluto’s Secret: An Icy World’s Tale of Discovery by Margaret A. Weitekamp and David DeVorkin, illustrated by Diane Kidd tells the story of Pluto’s discovery, naming, and demotion to a dwarf planet from scientists’ and Pluto’s points of view. The scientists have lots of assumptions and questions about Pluto, and Pluto has a secret for them to discover. This book is ideal for children in kindergarten-4th grade.

Why Isn’t Pluto a Planet? by Michael Portman gives an overview of Pluto’s discovery and the reason it was demoted to a dwarf planet. This book is ideal for children in 2nd-5th grade.

Sun and Moon

Sun, Moon, and Stars by Hannah Wilson presents an overview of the sun and moon and how they relate to Earth. It also gives information about different types of stars and defines what a constellation is. This book is ideal for children in pre-K-2nd grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Sun and Moon Have a Tea Party by Yumi Heo, illustrated by Naoko Stoop is about Sun and Moon having an argument about what the world is like: active or asleep. When Cloud invites them to stay up past their bedtime and watch the world from behind him, Sun and Moon discover that they are both right. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade.

The Sun by Martha E. H. Rustad gives an overview of the sun. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

The Sun by Reagan Miller gives an overview of the sun and how it influences life on Earth. At the end of the book is an activity that illustrates how it can be day in one part of the world and night in another. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Sun by Steve Tomecek, illustrated by Carla Golembe explains what the sun is and how it influences life on Earth. At the end of the book is an activity that illustrates how it can be day in one part of the world and night in another. This book is ideal for children in 2nd-6th grade.

Many Moons by Rémi Courgeon shows the different phases of the moon in terms of what every day objects it looks like. The final spread shows the eight phases of the moon in order starting with the new moon and gives a description of each phase. This book is ideal for birth to 1st grade.

The Moon by Martha E. H. Rustad gives an overview of the moon. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade. The large font size and short sentences make it a good book for new readers to read on their own.

Do You Really Want to Visit the Moon? by Thomas K. Adamson, illustrated by Daniele Fabbri presents facts about the moon through the story of a girl wanting to go to the moon to fix a problem she is having on Earth, her trip to the moon, her time on the moon, and her realizing what’s great about Earth. This book is ideal for children in 1st-3rd grade.

Stars (other than the sun)

Our Stars by Anne Rockwell gives an overview of stars, planets, the moon, comets, and meteors. This book is ideal for children in preschool-2nd grade.

Sun, Moon, and Stars by Hannah Wilson presents an overview of the sun and moon and how they relate to Earth. It also gives information about different types of stars and defines what a constellation is. This book is ideal for children in pre-K-2nd grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

Stargazers by Gail Gibbons gives an overview of stars and stargazers. This book is ideal for children in pre-k-3rd grade.

Stars and Galaxies by James Buckley, Jr. gives information about different types of stars, constellations, and galaxies. This book is ideal for children in kindergarten-2nd grade. The large font size and longer sentences make it a good book for more advanced new readers to read on their own.

The Sky Is Full of Stars by Dr. Franklyn M. Branley, illustrated by Felicia Bond presents an introduction to stargazing by giving an overview of what constellations are, how to find some of the easier ones, and instructions for how to make your own constellations with a flashlight and recyclables. This book is ideal for children in kindergarten-3rd grade.

Bright Sky, Starry City by Uma Krishnaswami, illustrated by Aimée Sicuro tells the story of a girl named Phoebe who lives in a city and plans to look at Saturn, Mars, and the stars with her dad and his telescopes, but they can’t see them well because of light pollution. She wishes for the lights to go out, and a her wish is granted when a storm causes a blackout. Phoebe, her dad, and other people in the city get to enjoy the planets and constellations. At the back of the book is information about our solar system, planets and moons, telescopes, and light pollution. This book is ideal for children in kindergarten-4th grade.

Shooting Stars by Kristen Rajczak shares information about meteors and when to watch for them. This book is ideal for children in 2nd-5th grade.

Zoo in the Sky: A Book of Animal Constellations by Jacqueline Mitton, illustrated by Christina Balit shares about constellations in the northern and southern hemispheres. This book is ideal for children in 3rd-6th grade.

50 Things to See with a Telescope: A Young Stargazer’s Guide by John A. Read is a how-to book that instructs young stargazers in how to find constellations, star clusters, planets, and other items in the northern hemisphere during each of the four seasons. This book is ideal for children in 3rd grade and up, but with adult assistance it could be used with children as young as 5 years old.

Activities

1. Night Sky Felt Play and Math Games (Preschool through 1st Grade)
2. Constellation Geoboard (Preschool through 2nd Grade)
3. Constellation Geoboards (Kindergarten through Elementary)
4. Build a Lego Solar System (Preschool through Elementary)
5. Planetary Orbit Game (Preschool through Elementary)
6. Planets Scrabble Math (1st through 3rd Grade)
7. Candy Constellation Game (3rd grade and up)

Crafts

1. Marshmallow Constellations (Preschool through 2nd grade)
2. Summer Skies Marshmallow Constellations (2nd through 6th grade)
3. Pipe Cleaner Constellations (Preschool through Elementary)
4. DIY Constellation Projector (Preschool through Elementary)
5. Constellation Lacing Cards (Elementary)
6. Fingerprint Solar System (Preschool)
7. Paint Stick Solar System (Pre-K through 3rd grade)
8. Puffy Planets (Preschool through 3rd grade)
9. Coffee Filter Planets (Preschool through Elementary)
10. Papier-mâché Solar System (Preschool through Elementary)

Science Experiments

1. Making Craters (Preschool through Elementary)
2. Fizzing Planets Solar System (Preschool through Elementary)
3. Fizzy Stars (Preschool through 2nd grade)
4. Melting Stars (Preschool through Elementary)
5. Magic Rainbow Toothpick Star (Preschool through Elementary)

Sensory

1. Solar System Sensory Bottle (Preschool)
2. Star Gazing Discovery Bottle (Preschool)
3. Good Night Moon Sensory Bottle (Preschool)
4. Glow in the Dark Solar System Sensory Play (Preschool)
5. Starry Night Sky Slime (Preschool)
6. Starry Night Sensory Bag (Preschool through 2nd grade)
7. Outer Space Playdough (Preschool through 2nd grade)

Snack

1. Marshmallow Constellation
2. Solar System
3. Giant Solar System Sugar Cookie

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

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Autumn Books that Celebrate the Season’s Bounty and Beauty

Hello everyone!

It’s September, which means that the autumnal equinox is almost upon us, and one of my favorite seasons will soon begin! There are so many things I love about fall: changing leaves; apple, pumpkin, and harvest festivals; corn mazes; hay rides; and hot apple cider. And I’m sure sports fans are counting down the days until football season starts.

Since autumn is full of so many changes and colors, the season easily lends itself to art, science, and, my favorite of all, stories! Below, I have raked some fantastic picture books about fall into two piles: fiction and nonfiction. After each book recommendation, I have written a type of activity (i.e. Crafts, Games, Math Activities, and Science Experiments) and a number; these correspond to the activities at the end of the post that I think best go with each book.

Fiction

Who Loves the Fall? by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Judy Stead shows many people enjoying fall activities. The illustrations carry the theme and are well supported by the minimal rhyming text. (Any Craft, Game, Math Activity, or Science Experiment for Preschool through 1st Grade.)

Hocus Pocus, It’s Fall! by Anne Sibley O’Brien, illustrated Susan Gal shows the changes that occur in the fall. Each spread shows the starting point for a plant or animal; then open the flap and the autumn change is revealed…like magic. (Any Craft, Game, Math Activity or Science Experiment for Preschool through 1st Grade.)

Wonderfall by Michael Hall has a poem on each spread about a different aspect of fall. Each illustration includes the same tree which shows the season’s progression through the state of its leaves. (Crafts 1, 2, 4, 5, or 12; Games 1, 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12; Math Activities 4, 5, or 6; Science Experiments 1, 2, 3, or 6)

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert is about Leaf Man being blown away by the wind. The narrator speculates about where Leaf Man might be. While the narrator guesses about where the wind might take Leaf Man, leaves create the scenery that the narrator describes. This book would pair well with a leaf craft. (Crafts 3, 4, or 5; Games 3, 4, 11, or 12; Math Activities 4, 5, or 6; Science Experiments 1, 2, or 3)

Fall Is for Friends by Suzy Spafford is about two autumn-loving friends trying to get the leaves to fall off the trees. (Crafts 1, 2, 4, or 5; Games 3, 4, 10, 11, or 12; Math Activities 4, 5, or 6; Science Experiments 1, 2, or 3)

A Fall Ball for All by Jamie A. Swenson, illustrated by Chiara Fedele is about nature throwing a windfall ball for all the forest animals. The animals delay their migration and hibernation plans to attend. There is excitement leading up to the ball, and afterwards, everyone has the food they need for the winter. (Crafts 6, 9, or 12; Games 1, 5, 6, 7, or 8; Math Activities 1, 2, or 3; Science Experiment 6)

Counting on Fall by Lizann Flatt, illustrated by Ashley Barron combines math with nature during the autumn. This book is ideal for children in Kindergarten through second grade. (Crafts 1, 2, 4, 7, or 12; Games 1, 3, 4, 5, or 9; Math Activities 1, 3, 4, or 5; Science Experiments 1, 2, 3, or 6)

Hello, Fall! by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Lucy Fleming is about a granddaughter and grandfather enjoying a fall day together. (Crafts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9; Games 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, or 12; Any Math Activity; Any Science Experiment)

Leif and the Fall by Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant, illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard is about a leaf named Leif who is afraid that falling will hurt. He comes up with multiple ways to keep himself from falling or to catch himself, but none of them work, and he throws them off his branch. When he finally falls, he lands on his pile of discarded ideas instead of bumping his head on the ground. The underlying themes of determination paying off and failure leading to success are great lessons for children. (Crafts 3, 4, or 5; Games 3, 4, 11, or 12; Math Activities 4, 5, or 6; Science Experiments 1, 2, or 3)

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke is about a young fox named Fletcher who is worried that his favorite tree is sick. He tries to help the tree by collecting its fallen leave and reattaching them. In the end, Fletcher’s attempts to make the leaves stay on the tree fail, but he comes to understand that his tree is alright. (Crafts 1, 2, 4, or 5; Games 3, 4, 11, or 12; Math Activities 4, 5, or 6; Science Experiments 1, 2, or 3)

Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson, illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein is about a family’s annual tradition of making applesauce throughout the autumn. At the back is a recipe for homemade applesauce. (Crafts 6 or 7; Games 6, 7, or 8; Science Experiment 5)

Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White, illustrated by Megan Lloyd is about a woman named Rebecca Estelle who hates pumpkins. When a pumpkin falls off a truck and splats in her yard, she buries it so she won’t have to touch or look at it. The next year, the pumpkins aggressively grow until they take over her entire front yard. Not wanting to waste food, she bakes the pumpkins into treats and carves the shells into jack-o’-lanterns to give to her neighbors. Rebecca Estelle has such a good time with her neighbors, that she decides to plant pumpkins the next year. (Crafts 8 or 9; Games 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10; Math Activities 1, 2, or 3; Science Experiment 4)

Nonfiction

Hello Autumn! by Shelley Rotner gives an overview of the many things that happen in the fall: changes in the weather and leaves, harvest, holidays, and how animals get ready for winter. The short text and large photos make this an excellent book to read aloud to three to eight year olds. The larger print also makes this a good book for more advanced young readers to read on their own. (Any Craft, Game, Math Activity, or Science Experiment for Preschool through 2nd Grade)

Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre is an overview of how leaves change throughout the fall, starting with a goodbye to summer green, transitioning to the many colors seen on the trees, and ending with the leaves beginning to decompose. The sparsity and rhyme of the text makes this a good book to read to two to five year olds. (Crafts 1 or 4; Games 3, 4, or 11; Math Activities 4 or 5; Science Experiments 1, 2, or 3)

Awesome Autumn: All Kinds of Fall Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone is a great book to read to five to eight year olds. It gives an overview of the many changes that happen during autumn and presents facts about why and how those changes occur in a concise and easy-to-understand way. At the end of the book are instructions for several simple autumn crafts. (Any Craft, Game, Math Activity, or Science Experiment for Elementary)

Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves’ Hidden Colors by Mia Posada explains how leaves change colors in the fall. The text and illustrations work together beautifully to explain the concept. This book is ideal for four to eight year olds; however, I would also read it with older students if they are struggling to understand how chlorophyll works. (Crafts 1, 2, 4, or 5; Games 3, 4, 11, or 12; Math Activities 4, 5, or 6; Science Experiments 1, 2, or 3)

Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie by Jill Esbaum shows how pumpkins grow, that there are many different types of pumpkins, and some of the ways pumpkins are used. This is an excellent book to read to four to eight year olds, and the larger print makes it a good book for more advanced young readers to read on their own. (Crafts 8 or 9; Games 5, 6, 7, or 8; Math Activities 1, 2, or 3; Science Experiment 4)

The What Happens in Fall? Series by Mari Schuh is designed for beginning readers to read on their own.

• Animals in Fall
• Apples in Fall
• Fall by Emily C. Dawson (This book is part of the Watching the Seasons Series.)
• Harvest in Fall
• Leaves in Fall
• Pumpkins in Fall
• Weather in Fall

The Fall Field Trips Series by Lisa J. Amstutz is designed for beginning readers to read on their own. At the back of each book are directions for how to make a simple, theme-related craft.

• Let’s Go to the Apple Orchard
• Let’s Go to the Harvest Festival
• Let’s Go to the Nature Center
• Let’s Go to the Pumpkin Patch

The Fall’s Here! Series by Martha E. H. Rustad, illustrated by Amanda Enright is ideal for reading to Kindergarteners through 2nd graders. At the back of each book are directions for how to do a theme-related activity.

• Animals in Fall: Preparing for Winter
• Fall Apples: Crisp and Juicy
• Fall Harvests: Bringing in Food
• Fall Leaves: Colorful and Crunchy
• Fall Pumpkins: Orange and Plump
• Fall Weather: Cooler Temperatures

Crafts

1. Scissor Skills Fall Tree Craft (Preschool or Elementary depending on amount of adult prep)
2. Tissue Paper Tree (Elementary)
3. Leaf People (Preschool or Elementary)
4. Leaf Rubbing Collage or Leaf Rubbing Activity: Art & Science Project (Preschool or Elementary – Leaf rubbings often work best when the veins are up.)
5. Leaf Book (Elementary)
6. Apple Print Craft (Preschool)
7. Apple Tree Numbers Craft (3 year olds through 1st grade depending on amount of adult prep)
8. What’s Inside a Pumpkin Craft (Preschool or Elementary)
9. Paper Strip Pumpkin (Elementary)
10. Paper Bag Scarecrow (Preschool or Elementary)
11. Popsicle Stick Scarecrow (Elementary)
12. Cinnamon Acorn (Preschool through 2nd grade)

Games

1. The Squirrel Game: “Let the kids pretend they are squirrels gathering nuts for the winter. Give each a small paper bag, then toss out several unshelled nuts onto the floor and let the kids race to see who can collect the most. Older and younger children should be separated for this game. Another way to play this game, (if you have a way to corral a large quantity of leaves) is to hide nuts beneath a large pile of leaves and give the kids a set amount of time to find as many nuts as they can.” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 18.) (Preschool or Elementary)
2. Dress a Scarecrow and Run: “Stock up on over-sized plaid shirts, goofy pants, floppy hats and any other clothing that a scarecrow might wear. Make piles containing one of each item. The number of piles is determined either by the number of kids or teams participating. Line up kids and let the game begin! The children run to the pile, put on the outfit, and dart back to the starting line. If doing it as a team game, they then switch the outfit with their teammate–who run out and back. First team with their last team member dressed as a scarecrow wins.” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 9.) (Elementary)
3. Parachute Leaf Toss: “Take a sheet, or a parachute. Gather real leaves, fabric leaves, or paper leaves. Place them in the middle of the sheet. Gather around the sheet and have the children lift the sheet slowly and then quickly to see how all the leaves ‘float.'” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 16.) (Preschool or Elementary)
4. Leaf Blow Game: “Have a leaf race! In this, the children blow a leaf across a table with a straw. The first one across is the winner.” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 3.) (four year olds through Elementary)
5. Gourd Ring Toss: “Assign different point values to different sizes of gourds, pumpkins, or dried Indian corn.” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 8.) (Preschool or Elementary)
6. Apple-Apple Pumpkin: “Just like duck-duck-goose—Play Apple, Apple, Pumpkin! Same game with fall flair.” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 13.) (Preschool or Elementary)
7. Pumpkin Rolling (Can also do with apples): “Divide children into two or more teams. Have a start line and turnaround line, 20 ft apart. The first child in each line rolls a pumpkin from the start line, to the turn-around line and back. The next person does the same, etc. The first team to have everyone play wins!” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 21.) (Preschool or Elementary)
8. Pass the Pumpkin Relay (Can also do with apples): “Line up into 2 teams. The first person passes the pumpkin OVER his/her head to the next person in line. The next person passes the pumpkin UNDER his/her legs to the next person, and so on. When you get to the end of the line the last person runs up to the front and starts it all over again. Whoever has the first person that was in line at the beginning of the game— in the back of the line WINS.” (This activity taken from “61 Fall Games and Activities Kids Love”; it was number 23.) (Preschool or Elementary)
9. Bountiful Harvest Board Game (Elementary)
10. Autumn Charades Game (Elementary)
11. Fall Color Wheel Scavenger Hunt (Preschool through 2nd grade)
12. Sensory Nature Scavenger Hunt (Elementary)

Math Activities

1. Super Simple Pumpkin Seed Counting Activity (Preschool through Kindergarten)
2. Pumpkin Geoboard Stem To Try This Fall (Preschool through 1st grade)
3. Pumpkin Stem Challenge Your Preschoolers Will Love (Preschool through 1st grade)
4. Preschool Math: Graphing Fall Leaves (Preschool or Elementary depending on how the adult adapts it)
5. Leaf Measurement and Sorting Activity (Preschool or Elementary depending on how the adult adapts it)
6. Leaf symmetry lesson combining math and art (Elementary)

Science Experiments

1. Science for Kids: Exploring How Water Travels Through Leaves (Preschool or Elementary)
2. How Do Leaves Breathe? A Simple Science Experiment for Kids (Preschool or Elementary)
3. Science Experiment: Why Do Leaves Change Colour? (Preschool or Elementary)
4. Pumpkin Oobleck With A Real Pumpkin (Preschool or Elementary)
5. Apple Oxidation Science Experiment (Preschool or Elementary)
6. Hibernation Science Lesson (Preschool or Elementary)

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Mermaid Picture Books and Chapter Books

Disclosure

This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost for you, and it helps me to keep creating awesome content!

Hello everyone!

Like many little girls, I wanted to be a mermaid when I was six. What I didn’t know was that professional mermaid was a career choice. Last year, I learned about a woman named Mermaid Linden who makes her living as a professional mermaid. She attends events and has a YouTube channel where she posts her Mermaid Minute videos; each video gives facts about the ocean in one minute.

I have recently been on a mermaid kick (or maybe I never outgrew my desire to be a mermaid). Either way, below are some picture books and chapter books about mermaids that I really enjoyed, and I hope your young mermaid fans will, too. After reading some mermaid tales, dive deeper under the sea with the mermaid crafts and sensory items, actualize dreams of being a real mermaid by creating DIY mermaid costumes, and then finish off the fun with a mermaid snack. You’ll find everything you need for a complete mermaid experience at the end of the post.

Picture Books

Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Mermaid by Rhiannon Fielding is about a little mermaid who would rather play and explore than go to bed.

How to Meet a Mermaid by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Simona Sanfilippo gives directions for what to do if you want to meet a mermaid…and states what will happen when you do.

Pearl by Molly Idle is about a young mermaid who wants to have a special job like all the other mermaids and how her seemingly insignificant job is more important than she knows.

How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Andy Elkerton is a cute story about two kids who try to catch a Mermaid so that she will be there friend.

The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell is about a mermaid who sets out to learn the purpose of a shoe and consequently discovers her own purpose. The book’s message is great for all young people who are still searching for their place in the world.

Mermaid and Me by Soosh is a beautiful story about friendship and keeping the oceans clean.

The Mermaid by Jan Brett is a mermaid retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Mermaid School by Joanne Stewart Wetzel, illustrated by Julianna Swaney is an underwater first day of school story.

Mariana and the Merchild by Caroline Pitcher, illustrated by Jackie Morris is about a lonely woman who finds belonging and acceptance in her community through fostering a mermaid.

Sukey and the Mermaid by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Brian Pinkney is about a girl who’s stepfather makes her work all day and the mermaid who befriends her and offers her an escape.

Elementary-Age Readers

Mermaid Tales Series by Debbie Dadey is about different mermaids who attend the same school.

1. Trouble at Trident Academy
2. Battle of the Best Friends
3. A Whale of a Tale
4. Danger in the Deep Blue Sea
5. The Lost Princess
6. The Secret Sea Horse
7. Dream of the Blue Turtle
8. Treasure in Trident City
9. A Royal Tea
10. A Tale of Two Sisters
11. The Polar Bear Express
12. Wish upon a Starfish
13. The Crook and the Crown
14. Twist and Shout
15. Books vs. Looks
16. Flower Girl Dreams
17. Ready, Set, Goal!
18. Fairy Chase
19. The Narwhal Problem
20. The Winter Princess
21. Sleepover at the Haunted Museum

The Little Mermaid: An Interactive Fairy Tale Adventure by Eric Mark Braun, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum is an interactive book that offers three modern twists on the classic fairy tale for readers to explore.

Mermaid Myths (Myths Across the Map) by Cynthia O’Brien is a nonfiction book that gives readers an overview of mermaid myths from around the world.

Activities

For my sixth birthday, my mother threw me a mermaid party. We hung green streamers for seaweed, made paper fins, and created a life-size mermaid puzzle.

Whether you want to throw a mermaid-themed party or just have some under-the-sea fun, below are some mermaid crafts and snacks for your mermaid lovers.

Make Your Own Life-Size Mermaid Puzzle:

1. Trace the outline of a child onto butcher paper. Be sure to trace their legs together and add fins.
2. Color the mermaid/merman.
3. Cut the mermaid/merman drawing into smaller pieces.
4. Glue the pieces onto cardboard.
5. Cut out the cardboard pieces.
6. Assemble the puzzle.

Other Ways to Make Your Own Mermaid:

– Curl Animation Mermaid Craft

– Toilet Paper Tube Mermaid Doll

– Origami Mermaid

DIY Mermaid Costume:

– Mermaid Tail

– Mermaid Tiara

– Seashell Mermaid Purse

– Poseidon’s Trident

Mermaid Sensory Seekers:

– Mermaid Sensory Writing Tray

– Mermaid Tail Glitter Sensory Bottle

– Mermaid Slime

Mermaid Snacks:

– Mermaid Tails

– Clam Shell Cookies

– Mermaid Lemonade (Mocktail)

– Mermaid Tail Cupcakes

– No-Churn Mermaid Ice Cream

Happy reading and crafting to all the merfolk out there!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Zoo Stories and Fun Zoological Facts

Disclosure

This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost for you, and it helps me to keep creating awesome content!

Hello everyone!

I love going to the zoo and seeing animals up close. Whether you’re able to go in person this year or not, take your child there through the power of reading and the yummy, themed snacks below. You will find cute zoo animals in both the fiction and nonfiction books, but if you’re looking for animal or zoo facts or you want to know what zookeepers do, check out the nonfiction books.

Fiction

My Heart Is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall compares how ones heart is like zoo animals. All the animals featured in the book are created by overlaying hearts.

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann is about a gorilla letting out all the animals at the same time that the zookeeper is saying good night to them.

Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell is a lift the flap book about the zoo sending animals to the narrator, who asked for a pet, and the narrator sending them back because they are not the right pet.

Still a Gorilla! by Kim Norman, illustrated by Chad Geran is about a gorilla named Willy who wants and tries to be a different animal.

Construction Zoo by Jennifer Thorne, illustrated by Susie Hammer is about zoo animals and construction vehicles becoming friends and working together.

Stop Snoring, Bernard! by Zachariah Ohora is about an otter named Bernard trying to find a place where he can sleep without bothering anyone with his snoring. It’s also a good way to start a discussion with kids about empathy and how unkind words can make people feel bad about themselves.

Through with the Zoo by Jacob Grant is a “the grass is always greener on the other side” story about a petting zoo goat who is tired of being hugged and petted and wants to find a space that is just his.

1 Zany Zoo by Lori Degman, illustrated by Colin Jack is about a boy who sneaks into the zoo before it opens and gets to join in the animals’ unconventional antics.

Never, Ever Shout in a Zoo by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Doug Cushman is about the big mess that came about because of one little girl’s shout.

Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo by John Lithgow, illustrated by Leeza Hernandez is about a boy who goes to an outdoor concert with his family, and how the animals from the next door zoo break free and take it over.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead, illustrated by Erin E. Stead is about a zookeeper who is a kind friend to all the animals. When he gets sick, the animals go and take care of him.

The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo by Laura Murray, illustrated by Mike Lowery is about the gingerbread man using his teacher’s animal scavenger hunt clues to find his class after getting separated from them during a field trip to the zoo.

Zoo Day by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell is about a little boy’s first trip to the zoo.

Nonfiction

A Visit to the Zoo by Blake A. Hoena gives a brief overview of what a zoo is and a few of the animals who live there.

Spot the Zebra at the Zoo by Alexandra Koken, illustrated by Joelle Dreidemy is a search-and-find book with one animal fact on each page.

A Day at a Zoo by Sarah Harrison is a search-and-find book that shows the same section of a zoo throughout an entire day.

Life-Size Zoo (photographs by Toyofumi Fukuda) and More Life-Size Zoo (photographs by Toshimitsu Matsuhashia) by Teruyuki Komiya, translated by Kristin Earhart have life-size photos of zoo animals and one or two facts about each animal in larger print. Additional facts and drawings about the animals are in the margins.

What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page shows some of the many tasks that a zookeeper does. For each activity, there is a short phrase which is perfect for younger children and a longer explanation for older children.

What’s New? The Zoo!: A Zippy History of Zoos by Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Marcellus Hall gives an overview of how zoos evolved from what they were in ancient times to what they are today.

Animal Snacks

1. Apple Turtles
2. Celery Snake
3. Elephant Ears Biscuits
4. Giraffe Snack
5. Lion Dipped Oreos
6. Penguin Crackers
7. Monkey Cake
8. Teddy Bear Toast
9. Tiger Pretzel Rods
10. Walrus Waffle

Bonus: Animal Craft

Printable Animal Masks

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Math Stories

Disclosure

This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost for you, and it helps me to keep creating awesome content!

Hello everyone!

Math can be a terrifying subject for some students. I liked it well enough, until Geometry (twitch, twitch). For those students who do not have a pleasant association with math, try some of these fun stories as a less threatening experience with the subject. And for those students who adore math, give them a read that combines story and mathematics.

I found so many amazing math books that I divided my recommendations into two groups: Math Stories and Math Practice. The books in the Math Stories section are stories where math plays a crucial role in the plot. The books in the Math Practice section are books that present problems in fun ways for students to solve.

After reading some of the books, engage your young readers in some of the fun math activities I’ve included at the end of this post.

Math Stories

Goodnight, Numbers by Danica McKellar, illustrated by Alicia Padrón shows numbers one through ten in everyday life. Suggestions for how to get the most educational value out of the book are listed on the last page.

Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar, illustrated by Jennifer Bricking shows different combinations that equal ten. Suggestions for how to get the most educational value out of the book are listed on the last page.

Math Fables: Lessons That Count by Greg Tang, illustrated by Heather Cahoon contains ten rhyming fables that each focus on a number: one through ten. Each fable shows different combinations that equal the featured number.

Give Me Half! by Stuart J. Murphy, illustrated by G. Brian Karas shows fractions, specifically halves.

Twinderella: A Fractioned Fairy Tale by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illustrated by Deborah Marcero shows fractions, specifically halves.

Full House: An Invitation to Fractions by Dayle Ann Dodds, illustrated by Abby Carter shows fractions, specifically sixths.

One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale by Demi shows doubling.

Zero the Hero by Joan Holub, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld shows properties of the number zero.

One Riddle, One Answer by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Linda S. Wingerter shows properties of the number one.

Mouse Math Series illustrated by Deborah Melmon

• Albert the Muffin-Maker by Eleanor May
• Mice on Ice by Eleanor May
• A Mousy Mess by Laura Driscoll
• Albert Adds Up! by Eleanor May
• Albert Starts School by Eleanor May
• If the Shoe Fits by Jennifer Dussling
• Albert Doubles the Fun by Eleanor May
• Albert Helps Out by Eleanor May
• Bravo, Albert! by Lori Haskins Houran
• Where’s Albert? by Eleanor May

The Mouse Math Series is geared towards preschool through second grade students. There are more books in the series. I only listed the ones that I thought best combined math and story.

Sir Cumference Series by Cindy Neuschwander, illustrated by Wayne Geehan

• Sir Cumference and the First Round Table
• Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi
• Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland
• Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone
• Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter
• Sir Cumference and All the King’s Tens
• Sir Cumference and the Viking’s Map
• Sir Cumference and the Off-the-Charts Dessert
• Sir Cumference and the Roundabout Battle
• Sir Cumference and the Fraction Faire
• Sir Cumference Gets Decima’s Point

The Sir Cumference Series is geared towards elementary students, but this way of presenting math concepts could also help middle or high school students who need to have the information presented in a different way.

Math Practice

Bedtime Math Series by Laura Overdeck, illustrated by Jim Paillot

• Bedtime Math: A Fun Excuse to Stay Up Late
• Bedtime Math: This Time It’s Personal
• Bedtime Math: The Truth Comes Out
• Bedtime Math 2: This Time It’s Personal

The Bedtime Math Series gives mini scenarios and then asks three questions per scenario. The questions are for different ability levels. These books can be used with children in preschool through late elementary.

Animal Math Series published by Gareth Stevens Publishing

• Counting Lions by Adeline Zubek
• Fractions with Fish by Maeve Sisk
• Odd and Even with Otters by Rory McDonnell
• Shapes with Sheep by Mary Grace Osburn
• Sorting with Snakes by Mary Rose McDonnell
• Tell Time with Turtles by Melissa McDonnell
• Two-Digit Numbers with Tadpoles by Mary Grace Osburn
• Using Money at the Zoo by Mary Grace Osburn
• Word Problems with Wolves by Rory McDonnell

The Animal Math Series combines science and math by presenting fun facts about animals and using those animals to teach math concepts. The large print and short sentences makes this a perfect series for beginning readers. There are more books in the series. I only listed ones that included multiple math questions.

Activities

1. “20 Exciting Math Games for Kids to Skyrocket New Math Skills On-The-Go” by Marcus Guido (This article lists online and in-person math games for 1st-8th graders.)
2. “30 Active Math Games and Activities for Kids Who Love to Move” by Jill Staake (This article lists movement math activities and games that are perfect for elementary students.)
3. “15 Math Games in 15 Minutes or Less” by Natalie Lorenzi (The math games in this article are appropriate, or can be adapted, for Pre-K through 8th graders. The games are sorted by the length of time it takes to play each game: 5, 10, or 15 minutes.)
4. SplashLearn (This website offers free online math games for K-5th graders. Parents and teachers can create free accounts that allow them to monitor their child’s or students’ progress.)

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.

Dragon Tales for Preschool through High School

Disclosure

This blog post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost for you, and it helps me to keep creating awesome content!

Hello everyone!

Last year, a friend let me read her work-in-progress dragon novel, and it got me on a dragon kick. I started reading published books featuring dragons. Below are some dragon stories that I think young dragon lovers will enjoy, too!

After reading a dragon tale or two, try drawing a dragon of your own. Dragon coloring pages and how-to-draw-a-dragon videos and instructions for preschool through high school are at the end of the post.

Preschool and Early Elementary

One Drowsy Dragon by Ethan Long is a counting story about a dragon who just wants to go to bed.

Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve Light is part story, part search and find.

How to Dress a Dragon by Thelma Lynne Godin, illustrated by Eric Barclay is about a boy helping his dragon to get dressed.

Dragons Love Tacos and Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel by Adam Rubin, illustrated by Danie Salmieri are about dragons and the situations caused by their tacos obsession.

When a Dragon Moves In and When a Dragon Moves In Again by Jodi Moore, illustrated by Howard McWilliam is about a boy who has fun, and gets into trouble, with a dragon that his family does not believe exists.

Dragon Brothers Trilogy by James Russell, illustrated by Link Choi

• The Dragon Hunters
• The Dragon Tamers
• The Dragon Riders

The Dragon Brothers Trilogy is about two brothers who live on an island inhabited by dragons and the dragon-related adventures they have.

The Boy Who Painted Dragons by Demi is about a boy who must overcome his fear of dragons by seeking their wisdom.

Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman is a retelling of the legend of Saint George and his fight with the dragon. This book is best for elementary-aged children.

Behold…the Dragons! by Gail Gibbons is a non-fiction book that gives a brief overview of the different types of dragons from around the world and some of the mythology surrounding them. This book is best for elementary-aged children.

How to Draw a Dragon by Douglas Florian is a book in rhyme about drawing all the different parts of dragons.

Late-Elementary through High School

Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland

• The Dragonet Prophecy
• The Lost Heir
• The Hidden Kingdom
• The Dark Secret
• The Brightest Night

The Wings of Fire Series is a good read for children in late-elementary, middle, and high school. It is your typical high fantasy series, but with dragons as the protagonists. The books also contain social and relationship themes and explore the concept of destiny versus choice.

Dragon Rider Series by Cornelia Funke

• Dragon Rider
• The Griffin’s Feather

The Dragon Rider Series is ideal for children in late-elementary or middle school. On the surface level, it’s a quest to find home, but it also has themes of friendship, self-sacrifice, belonging, respect for all creatures, and the consequences of greed.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin is a good story for children in late-elementary or middle school. The primary plot is the protagonist’s quest to improve her family’s fortune, but the story could also be viewed as a collection of folktales because legends and other characters’ fantastic backstories are interspersed with and woven into the protagonist’s journey.

The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

• Eragon
• Eldest
• Brisingr
• Inheritance

The Inheritance Cycle is a good read for high school fantasy lovers. Elves, spells, dragons…what’s not to like? Some of the themes explored in the series are loyalty, respecting differences in beliefs, and responsibility and consequences for actions.

Ralph Masiello’s Dragon Drawing Book by Ralph Masiello is great for middle and high schoolers. It is primarily mini, step-by-step art lessons, but it also contains cultural blurbs about dragon lore around the world.

Activities

1. Printable Dragon Coloring Pages by Supercoloring.com
2. “How to Draw a Dragon (For Super Young Artists)” (This YouTube tutorial is appropriate for preschool through elementary.)
3. “How to Draw a Dragon” (This YouTube tutorial is appropriate for mid-elementary through middle school.)
4. “How to Draw a Dragon” by wikiHow (These step-by-step directions are appropriate for middle and high schoolers.)
5. “How to Draw a Dragon Step by Step” by Monika Zagrobelna (These step-by-step directions are appropriate for high schoolers.)

Happy reading!

Katie

P.S.

For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.