"Good Reads" Science Books for Children

1. Gabby and Her Grandma Go Green By Monica Wellington 

This book shows the relationship between Gabby and her grandma. Throughout the book the two work on green projects together such as sewing reusable bags and recycling bottles at the grocery store. The author provides children with lots of "go green" tips they can use in their own lives, and the storyline between Gabby and her grandma emphasizes the importance of family as well.

2. Compost! Growing Gardens from Your Garden By Linda Glasser 

The beautiful illustrations in this book help teach children about the world of composting. The author walks children through a typical compost cycle and all the responsibilities that come from composting through the eyes of a little girl. 

3. How Groundhog's Garden Grew By Lynne Cherry 

After reading Compost! parents, teachers, and caregivers can use this book to teach children about how gardening requires patience. This book includes information on the life cycle of plants and how exciting it is to grow vegetables yourself instead of relying on someone else for food. 

4. The Great Kapok Tree By Lynne Cherry 

One day a man exhausts himself trying to cut down the Kapok Tree. While he is sleeping the residents of the tree inform him of the importance of trees. This book is a great choice for Earth day and rainforest conservation. 

5. Jack and the Beanstalk By Stephen Kellogg

This is another great book to use in a gardening series. Although this book is a timeless classic, teachers and parents can add a scientific twist to the book by teaching children about growing beans just like Jack does in the story. Many children who have heard the story before may be surprised to learn about the scientific nature of the story.

6. Weighing the Elephant By Ting-xing Ye and Suzane Langlois

While this book on its own helps teach children about weight, parents and teachers could also easily create a lesson out of the book by only reading the first 18 pages. After finishing the first half, children can then brainstorm ways to determine Huan-Huan's weight. Then, after some discussion, children can finish the book to see how the story ends. 

7. 11 Experiments That Failed, by Jenny Offill and Nancy Carpenter 

How often do children see science experiments that fail? In school, children are frequently led to success when it comes to science. This book however explores the other side where scientists fail and learn from their mistakes. A great read for the budding chemist. 

8. Older Than the Stars By Karen Fox 

Karen Fox did a great job of appealing to all ages with this book. Fox takes readers on a journey through the Big Bang Theory. Although this is can be a complex topic, Fox found a way to help children understand these ideas on their level. 

9. Volcanoes By Franklyn Branley 

All children love the topic of volcanoes. But how much do they really know about them? This book takes children behind the scenes and helps them understand the science of volcanoes. Readers will learn about what makes a volcano erupt. 

10. Gravity is a Mystery By Franklyn Branley 

Everyone has thrown a ball at some point in their life. Adults usually know that gravity is the reason the ball falls to the ground, but we shouldn't take it for granted that children understand this concept. Franklyn Branley uses a scientist and a dog to help teach children about gravity and why it exists.