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 Primary Agricultural Themed Book List |
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| Animals |
Big Red Barn
Brown, Margaret Wise
HarperCollins Publishers, 1989
Meet the horses, sheep, goats, geese, and a jaunty old scarecrow that all live in the big red barn.
Chickens on the Farm
Schuh, Mari C
Capstone Press, 2002
Through photographs, this emerging reader discusses chickens that are raised for meat and eggs.
Counting Cows
Jackson, Woody
Harcourt Brace & Co., 1995
A whimsical counting book features cows and cow terminology.
Cows
Bell, Rachael
Heinemann Library, 2000
Discover interesting facts like how cows are used around the world, through colorful photographs and simple text.
Cows
Stone, Lynn M
Rourke Corporation, Inc. (Farm animal discovery library), 1990
Provides an introduction to cows and their importance to humans.
Cows and Their Calves
Hall, Margaret
Capstone Press, 2004
This nonfiction primary reader shows how calves are raised to become mature adults.
Cows on the Farm
Schuh, Mari C
Capstone Press, 2002
Learn, through photographs and primary text, how farmers raise cows.
Extraordinary Chickens
Whelchel, Harriet
Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 2000
This photographic journal depicts the amazing variety of exotic chickens.
Farm Dogs
Cooper, Jason
Rourke Book Co.,Inc., 1995
A short history of dogs and how they are used on farms.
Farm Morning
McPhail, David
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1985
A father and his young daughter share a special morning as they feed all the animals on the farm.
Hooray for Sheep Farming
Kalman, Bobbie
Crabtree Publishing Company, 1998
Introduces the raising of sheep for wool; covers aspects like shearing, lambs, sheep dogs, wool processing, farm maintenance, and the proper care of sheep.
Horses on the Farm
Schuh, Mari C
Capstone Press, 2002
Through photographs, this emerging reader discusses how horses are used and cared for on a farm.
Inside an Egg
Johnson, Sylvia A
Lerner Publications Company, 1982
This book, full of colorful photographs, clearly illustrates and explains the development of a chicken egg until the moment that the chick begins to peck its way out of the shell.
Life on a Pig Farm
Wolfman, Judy
Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1998
Alisha, the oldest of three sisters who live on Maple Lane Farm, narrates this interesting photo-essay about the day-to-day activities involved in raising pigs.
Pigs
Gibbons, Gail
Holiday Press, 1999
This book outlines the characteristics, habits, and uses of pigs.
Pigs on the Farm
Schuh, Mari C
Capstone Press, 2002
Through photographs, this emerging reader discusses pigs that are raised on a farm.
Sheep on the Farm
Schuh, Mari C
Capstone Press, 2002
Through photographs, this emerging reader discusses sheep that are raised for meat, wool and milk.
Symphony for the Sheep
Millen, C.M
A. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996
Explore the fascinating lives of the sheep of Ireland and explore the spinning, weaving, and knitting of their wool.
What a Wonderful Day to be a Cow
Lesser, Carolyn
Alfred A. Knopf, 1995.
Every month of the year, the animals on the farm enjoy their way of life. Describes seasons of the year on a farm.
Who Grows Up on the Farm? A Book About Farm Animals and Their Offspring
Longenecker, Theresa
Picture Window Books, 2003.
Full-color illustrations and fact-filled text, discuss the various kinds of babies that grow up on a farm. Includes factual charts and tables.
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| Apples |
Albert's Field Trip
Tryon, Leslie
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 1993
Albert leads a class from Pleasant Valley School on a field trip to Georgie and Gracie's apple farm. The children pick their own apples and squeeze them into juice.
Apple Picking Time
Slawson, Michele Benoit
Crown Publishers, Inc., 1994
Describes the old-time way of picking apples and the emotions and pride Anna and her family gain.
Apples
Gibbons, Gail
Scholastic Inc., 2000
Learn about apple production in this colorful, simple-to-read book.
Apples
Robbins, Ken
Antheum Books for Young Readers, 2002
With colorful photographs and nonfiction text, learn how apples grow, from the planting of a tree, to the pollination of buds by bees, and to the harvest.
Apples and How They Grow
Driscoll, Laura
Grosset & Dunlap, 2003
Find out how an apple seed grows into an apple tree in this beginning reader.
Apples Here!
Hubbell, Will
Albert Whitman & Company, 2002
This simple picture book, with a detailed description of the apple life cycle in the back, shares interesting facts of one of the most popular fruits.
Apple Trees
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the life cycle of the apple tree in this primary reader that has color photographs.
From Blossom to Fruit
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the life cycle of the apple tree from the blossom to the apple.
From Bud to Blossom
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Part of a series of books on apples, learn how the bud on an apple tree blossoms.
Johnny Appleseed
Benet, Rosemary and Stephen Vincent
McElderry Books, 2001
This short poem about Johnny Appleseed transforms into a wonderful picture book with whimsical characters and artwork.
Johnny Appleseed
Lindbergh, Reeve
Little, Brown & Company, 1990
Rhymed text and illustrations relate the life of John Chapman, whose distribution of apple seeds and trees across the Midwest made him a legend and left a legacy.
Out and About at the Apple Orchard
Mayr, Diane
Picture Window Books, 2003
Full-color illustrations and fact-filled text, offer a behind the scenes tour at an apple orchard.
Picking Apples
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn how apples are harvested in this final book of the apple series by this author.
Red Are the Apples
Zahares, Wade
Gulliver Books, 2001
Share a day on the farm and learn about the amazing colors one sees in the country.
The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree
Gibbons, Gail
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1984
Drawings and text show a young boy's apple tree as it grows and changes throughout the year.
Up, Up, Up! It's Apple Picking Time
Shapiro, Jody Fickes
Holiday House, 2003
Learn about the many varieties of apples when Miles and his family pick apples in Grandma and Grandpa's California orchard. |
| Bees & Honey |
Busy Buzzers: Bees in Your Backyard
Loewen, Nancy
Picture Window Books, 2004
Scientific information is interspersed with primary-level text to explain interesting and important facts about bees.
From Hive to Home
Jose, Isabella
National Geographic, 2003
Enjoy the colorful photographs and simple text that describe how honey gets from the hive to the jar.
Honey Bees and Flowers
Schaefer, Lola
Capstone Press, 1999
With color photographs and simple text, this emerging reader describes a bee's visit to a flower.
Honey Bees and Hives
Schaefer, Lola
Capstone Press, 1999
With color photographs and simple text, this emerging reader describes what happens in a beehive.
Honey Bees and Honey
Schaefer, Lola
Capstone Press, 1999
With color photographs and simple text, this emerging reader describes how honey is made by bees and is then gathered.
The Honey Makers
Gibbons, Gail
Mulberry Books, 1997
Learn how thousands of bees work together to make hives and honey.
Honeybees
Heiligman, Deborah
National Geographic Society, 2002
Learn about the fascinating lifecycle of the honeybee through scientific text and easy-to-follow diagrams and pictures. Includes a few experiments.
Hooray for Beekeeping!
Kalman, Bobbie
Crabtree Publishing Company, 1998
Learn about bees, beekeeping and honey in this book with nonfiction text and colorful photographs and illustrations. |
| Crops |
Corn
Buckley, Marvin
National Geographic, 2001
Learn how corn is grown and what it is used for in this primary reader.
Corn is Maize
Aliki
Harper & Row, 1976
The story of how ancient Indian farmers discover a wild grass plant, use it in their lives, and eventually share it with the new settlers of America.
Everybody Cooks Rice
Dooley, Norah
Carolrhoda Books, 1991
A young child searches for her younger brother and learns about various cultures as she goes to different households and observes that everyone cooks rice in different ways.
From Field to Florist
James, Felix
National Geographic, 2001
This nonfiction primary reader shows how flowers get from the field to the florist shop.
Great-Grandma Tells of Threshing Day
Cross, Verda
Albert Whitman and Company, 1992
In the early 1900s a young girl and her brother help on threshing day. The children and neighbor women help prepare and serve the huge midday meal.
I Like Corn
Pickering, Robin
Children's Press, 2000
In this introductory reader, children learn through colorful photographs about the many foods made of corn.
Peanuts
Graham, Pamela
National Geographic, 2001
Learn how farmers grow peanuts you can buy at the store in this early reader.
Rice
Morrison, Marianne
National Geographic, 2002
Learn where and how rice is grown and harvested. |
| Dairy |
Cow
Older, Jules
Charlesbridge, 1997
A lighthearted, nonfiction book on cows, breeds, and milk production.
Cows in the Parlor
McFarland, Cynthia
Atheneum Macmillan Publishing Co., 1990
Discusses the activities of a dairy farm and describes a typical day as the cows are fed, milked, and settled for the night.
Extra Cheese, Please! Mozzarella's Journey from Cow to Pizza
Peterson, Cris and Alvis Upitis
Boyds Mills Press, 2004
A light, informative photo essay depicting the process of cheese making.
From Cow to Ice Cream
Knight, Bertram T
Children's Press, 1997
Through colorful photographs and simple text, take a journey and discover how ice cream is made.
From Grass to Milk
Taus-Bolstad, Stacy
Lerner Publishing Company, 2004
Through color photographs, learn how farmers work to get the milk you drink to the kitchen table.
Ice Cream for You
Chan, Harley
National Geographic, 2001
In this early reader, learn where milk comes from and how it turns into ice cream.
Let's Make Butter
Christian, Eleanor and Lyzz Roth-Singer
Capstone Press, 2001
Learn where butter comes from and how it is made, in this emerging reader with colorful photographs.
Milk: From Cow to Carton
Aliki
Harper Collins Publishers, 1992
Briefly describes how a cow produces milk, how the milk is processed in a dairy, and how various other dairy products are made from milk.
Milk Maker
Gibbons, Gail
The Macmillan Publishing Company, 1987
Text and pictures explain how cows produce milk and how it is processed before being delivered to stores.
Out and About at the Dairy Farm
Murphy, Andy
Picture Window Books, 2003
This picture book, gives factual information about milk production.
What's for Lunch? Milk
Llewellyn, Claire and Helaine Cohen
Children's Press, 1998
This book reveals how milk is produced and the many products made from it.
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| Equipment |
Fall Harvest
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
This emerging reader book shows that crops are harvested by hand and by machine.
Farm Tractors
Nelson, Kristin
Lerner Publications Company, 2003
With colorful photographs, this emerging reader introduces children to the different kinds of tractors and how they are used on farms.
Tractors
Young, Caroline
Usborne Publishing, Ltd., 1992
Graphic illustrations and easy to follow text describe a variety of old and new tractors, the machines they pull, their uses on farms and in other businesses. |
| Farming & Agriculture |
All the Places to Love
MacLachlan, Patricia
HarperCollins, 1994
A young boy describes the favorite places he shares with his family on his grandfather's farm and nearby countryside.
Century Farm: One Hundred Years on a Family Farm
Peterson, Cris
Boyds Mills Press, 1999
Family anecdotes and family photos share the story of a 100-year farm as it grew from the 1890s into a thriving dairy.
A Day in the Life of a Farmer
Watson, Carol
Franklin Watts, 2001
This book describes what a day in the life of a farmer is like.
A Day in the Life of a Farmer
Adamson, Heather
Capstone Press, 2004
Spend a day with Farmer Dave in his Midwest farm as he feeds animals, drives a tractor, and brings in the harvest.
A Farm of Her Own
Warnock, Natalie Kinsey
Dutton Children's Books, 2001
At her Aunt and Uncle’s farm, Emma spent the summer milking cows, gathering eggs and appreciating the smells of the farm and her relatives that live there.
A Farmer's Alphabet
Azarian, Mary
David R. Godine, 1987
A noteworthy picture book depicting an older, agrarian way of life.
Farmer's Market
Rendon, Marcie R. and Cheryl Walsh Bellville
Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 2001
Full of colorful photographs, this book describes the efforts of many families who work hard to produce food that is sold at farmer's markets.
Farming
Gibbons, Gail
Holiday House, 1988
An introduction to farming and the work done on a farm throughout the seasons.
Farms
Cooper, Jason
Rourke Corporation, Inc., 1992
Briefly describes what goes on at various kinds of farms: horse farms, dairy farms, crop farms, and others.
Food Comes From Farms
Taylor, Miles
National Geographic, 2003
Colorful photographs depict where the food we eat comes from.
From Dawn till Dusk
Kinsey-Warnock, Natalie
Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002
Farm work is hard work, but there is also lots of fun in this memory of growing up on a Vermont farm over 40 years ago.
From Tree to Table.
Ring, Susan
Capstone Press, 2003
In this emerging reader, children learn how maple syrup is made and processed into the sweet syrup they enjoy.
Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered
Paulsen, Gary
Harcourt Brace, 1993
An 11-year-old city boy is used to being pawned off on relatives, but he is not used to the farm setting, hard work, these cousins, and what the summer brings him this time around.
Harvest Year
Peterson, Cris
Boyds Mills Press, 1996
Full color photos and clear, concise text take readers month-by-month through a sampling of the wide diversity and volume of crops grown throughout the United States.
Hooray for Orchards
Kalman, Bobbie
Crabtree Publishing Company, 1998
Through photographs and technical text, this book describes the workings of orchards, the care they need, and the products they produce.
If You Were a Farmer.
Schomp, Virginia
Benchmark Books, 2001
This descriptive simple text with colorful photographs, describes many different kinds of farmers and what they do.
Life on a Crop Farm
Wolfman, Judy
Lerner Publishing Company, 2002
Learn the best way to pick asparagus, when to pick sweet corn at its peak, and learn about the planting, picking, and selling of the produce we eat.
Life on a Goat Farm
Wolfman, Judy
Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 2002
Describes the practices that occur on a goat farm and includes information on breeds, care, milking, and more.
Life on a Pig Farm
Wolfman, Judy
Carolrhoda Books, 1998
Through photographs and informative text, the reader learns about the life on a pig farm, from raising piglets, to chores, and going to the annual fair.
The Midnight Farm
Lindbergh, Reeve
Dial Books for Young Readers, 1987
Secrets of the dark are revealed in this poem describing a farm at midnight.
We Need Farmers
Schaefer, Lola M
Capstone Press, 2000
This emerging reader shows the many types of farmers that grow the products we consume.
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| Food & Nutrition |
Bread is for Eating
Gershator, David and Phillis Gershator
Henry Holt, 1995
Mamita explains how bread is produced from seed to flour in a poem/song in English and Spanish.
Butter
Wake, Susan
Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1990
Describes the origin, history, food value, and uses of butter. Includes some recipes and glossary.
Cheese
Illsley, Linda
Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 1990
Looks at the many varieties of cheese through history, how it is made today, and its role in nutrition. Includes recipes and a glossary.
The Edible Pyramid
Leedy, Loreen
Holiday House, 1994
Colorful and whimsical graphics complement the story of eating at the Edible Pyramid Restaurant where the specialty is a healthy diet.
From Cocoa Bean to Chocolate
Nelson, Robin
Lerner Publications Company, 2003
Using colorful photographs, the book shows how cocoa beans are grown, harvested, dried and then processed into the products we all enjoy.
From Wheat to Pasta
Egan, Robert
Children's Press, 1997
This colorful photo essay describes the process of how wheat becomes pasta.
Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon
Bass, Jules
Barefoot Books, 1999
In this light-hearted book, readers see that people with various eating preferences can learn to co-exist in the same community.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
Priceman, Marjorie
Dragonfly Books, 1994
From the jungles of Sri Lanka to the apple orchards in Vermont, a little baker travels to find the finest ingredients for her pie.
Make Mine a Peanut Butter Sandwich and a Glass of Milk
Robbins, Ken
Scholastic, 1992
Text and photos show how each part of a peanut butter sandwich and milk for lunch is made, from field to store to table.
Making Plum Jam
Stewig, John Warren
Hyperion Books for Children, 2002
Jackie, a city kid, visits her aunts' farm and has a whimsical adventure while helping with the simple task of making plum jam.
Molasses Man
May, Kathy L
Holiday House, 2000
When the sorghum cane is ripe and ready, Grandpa decides to make molasses.
Pasta
Haycock, Kate
Carolrhoda Books, 1991
Discusses the role of pasta in history and describes how it is processed and prepared for meals. Includes recipes.
Peanut Butter, Apple Butter, Cinnamon Toast: Food Riddles for You to Guess
Palacios, Argentina
Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1992
A book of food riddles for children.
The Tortilla Factory
Paulsen, Gary
Harcourt Brace & Co., 1995
Simple text and paintings tell the story of tortillas from corn seed to plant and then to factory and store.
What's For Lunch? Bananas
Robson, Pam
Children's Press, 1998
Learn how bananas are grown and how people eat them.
What's for Lunch? Bread
Llewellyn, Claire
Children's Press, 1999
This book reveals how people all around the world prepare and eat bread.
What's For Lunch? Corn
Robson, Pam
Children's Press, 1998
Learn how corn is grown and how people eat it.
What's for Lunch? Eggs
Llewellyn, Claire
Children's Press, 1999
This book reveals how eggs are produced, and how people all around the world eat them.
What's For Lunch? Honey
Robson, Pam
Children's Press, 1998
Learn how honey is produced so people can enjoy eating it.
What's for Lunch? Peanuts
Llewellyn, Claire
Children's Press, 1998
This book reveals how peanuts are grown, and how people all around the world eat them in a variety of ways.
What's for Lunch? Peas
Llewellyn, Claire
Children's Press, 1999
This book reveals how peas are grown, and how people all around the world eat them in a variety of ways.
What's for Lunch? Potatoes
Llewellyn, Claire
Children's Press, 1998
This book reveals how potatoes are grown, and how people all around the world eat them in a variety of ways.
What's For Lunch? Rice
Robson, Pam
Children's Press, 1998
Learn how rice is produced and the many ways it is eaten.
What's Inside?
Bennett, Jean
National Geographic, 2001
Learn what's inside a walnut, pineapple, and corncob in this primary reader.
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| Fruits & Vegetables |
88 Pounds of Tomatoes
Neuschwander, Cindy
Scholastic Inc., 2001
This whimsical mathematics story about a tomato seed encourages students to add, subtract, and multiply as the tomato plant produces more and more tomatoes.
Beans
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the life cycle of the green bean in this primary reader that has color photographs.
Big Red Tomatoes
Graham, Pamela
National Geographic, 2001
Learn the unique life cycle of the tomatoes, in this early science reader.
Blackberry Booties
Gardella. Tricia
Orchard Books, 2000
Mikki Jo wants to give her new baby cousin the perfect gift but only knows how to pick blackberries. Babies don't eat blackberries, but Mikki figures out the perfect gift.
Carrots
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
This primary reader describes carrots from growing to processing to eating.
Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z
Ehlert, Lois
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1989
An alphabetical tour of the world of fruit and vegetables from apricot and artichoke to yam and zucchini.
The Enormous Potato
Davis, Aubrey
Kids Can Press, 1997
See what happens when a farmer plants a potato eye. Who can pull it out of the ground?
Making Raisins
Buckley, Marvin
National Geographic, 2001
In this primary reader, learn how grapes become raisins.
Plants on My Plate
Smith, Cathy
National Geographic, 2001
See photographs of the plants from which vegetables on your plate come from.
Plants on My Plate
Stevens, Janet
Harcourt Brace and Co., 1995
Folktale involves a hare and a bear as they plant and harvest vegetables.
A Seed Grows
Hickman, Pamela and Heather Collins
Kids Can Press Ltd., 1997
This book with fold-out pages describes a watermelon plant's life cycle from seed to harvest.
Watermelon Day
Appelt, Kathi
Henry Holt and Company, 1996
A young girl watches a watermelon's grow all summer, waiting for it to ripen.
What's for Lunch? Oranges
Llewellyn, Claire
Children's Press, 1998
This book reveals how oranges are grown, and how people consume them during lunch. |
| Pumpkins |
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
Kroll, Steven
Holiday House, 1984
A tale of two mice that raise and harvest a very large pumpkin.
It's Pumpkin Time!
Hall, Zoe
Blue Sky Press, 1994
A young sister and brother spend all summer preparing a pumpkin patch for their favorite holiday—Halloween! Takes the reader from planting to Jack-’O-Lantern.
Patty's Pumpkin Patch
Sloat, Teri
G. P. Putnam Sons, 1999
Patty's pumpkin patch is busy all year from plowing to planting to weeding to picking. This book shows in alphabetical fashion the patch’s creepy-crawly and feathered friends.
The Pumpkin Book
Gibbons, Gail
Scholastic Inc., 1999
The life cycle of the pumpkin is clearly depicted in this picture book. How pumpkins are used at Thanksgiving and Halloween is also discussed.
Pumpkin Day
Rockwell, Anne
Walker & Company, 1999
Jeffrey finds a perfect pumpkin that is not too big and not too small.
The Pumpkin Patch
King, Elizabeth
Puffin Books, 1990
From creamy white seeds to glowing jack-o'-lanterns, this book charts the growth cycle of the ever-popular pumpkin.
Pumpkin Pumpkin
Titherington, Jeanne
Mulberry Books, 1986
A young boy plants a pumpkin seed and, after watching it grow, carves it and saves some seeds to plant in the spring.
Pumpkins
Ray, Mary Lyn
Harcourt Brace & Co., 1992
A man harvests and sells a bountiful crop of pumpkins so that he will be able to preserve a field from developers.
In Search of the Perfect Pumpkin
Evangelista, Gloria
Fulcrum Publishing, 2001
Share the adventures of the Pucci family as they search for the perfect pumpkin-only to find it in their backyard. |
| Gardening |
Backyard Sunflower
King, Elizabeth
Dutton Children's Books, 1993
Text and color photos follow the life cycle of sunflowers from seed to products.
City Green
DiSalvo-Ryan, Dyanne
Morrow Junior Books, 1994
In the middle of a city block, Marcy converts a vacant lot into a community garden.
Dig, Plant, Grow: A Kid’s Guide to Gardening
Rushing, Felder
Cool Spring Press, 2004
Farmer's Garden: Rhymes for Two Voices
Harrison, David L
Boyds Mills Press, 2000
A curious dog asks various animals and plants what they are doing in garden in this picture book featuring verse with questions and answers.
The Gardener
Stewart, Sarah
Farrar Straus Giroux, 1997
A series of letters tells a girl who, when forced to leave the country, takes her love of gardening with her.
A Gardener's Alphabet
Azarian, Mary
Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000
Using her unique artwork, Azarian shares with the viewer her love of gardens, both vegetable and flower.
The Giant Carrot
Peck, Jan
Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998
Little Isabelle's family decides to plant a carrot seed, and each will do their part to make it grow.
Growing Vegetable Soup
Ehlert, Lois
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1987
A young child and his father grow the vegetables they plan to put into vegetable soup.
Home Lovely
Perkins, Lynne Rae
Greenwillow Books, 1995
A lonely young girl living in an isolated trailer makes new friends and gains knowledge by growing flowers and melons. Along the way, she beautifies her home.
How Groundhog's Garden Grew
Cherry, Lynne
The Blue Sky Press, 2003
Little Groundhog loves to eat the fresh vegetables he finds in his neighbor's garden until one day he makes a friend who teaches him the joy of planting a garden of his own.
In the Three Sisters Garden: Native American Traditions, Myths, and Culture Around the Theme of the Garden
Dennee, Joanne et al
Common Roots Press, 1995
Sister Corn, Sister Squash, and Sister Bean introduce children to gardening in a year-long adventure that explores the ancient wisdom of the land.
Inch by Inch: The Garden Song
Mallett, David
HarperCollins Publishers, 1975
This classic folk song celebrates nature in all its bounty with expressive illustrations in picture book format along with the music needed to play or sing this song.
Jack's Garden
Cole, Henry
William Morrow & Company, 1995
Shows what happens in Jack's garden after he plants seeds.
Kids Garden
Hart, Avery and Mantell Hart
Williamson Publishing Co., 1995
This book provides over 100 activities children can do to learn more about plants. Ideas on growing your own broom, making homemade potato chips, and planting a butterfly cafe or a salad garden are just a few of the stimulating "how-to" ideas presented.
My Day in the Garden
Ford, Miela
Greenwillow Books, 1999
In this whimsical picture book, one little girl makes friends with various critters she finds in her garden.
One Bean
Rockwell, Anne F. and Megan Halsey
Walker & Company, 1999
A brother and sister plant a bean and watch it grow in this child’s introduction to plant growth.
Planting a Rainbow
Ehlert, Lois
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988
A mother and child plant a rainbow of flowers in the family garden.
Sunflower House
Bunting, Eve
Harcourt Brace Company, 1996
A young boy creates a summer playhouse by planting sunflowers and saves the seeds to make another house the next year.
Tiny Green Thumbs
Krupinski, Loretta
Hyperion Books for Children, 2000
Tiny Bun uses things in the garden shed to grow a vegetable garden with Granny Bun.
The Ugly Vegetables
Lin, Grace
Charlesbridge Publishing, 1999
A little girl and her mother grow vegetables rather than beautiful flowers like their neighbors, and she learns to appreciate the tasty soup her mother makes with them.
The Victory Garden Vegetable Alphabet Book
Pallotta, Jerry
Charlesbridge Publishing, 1992
From A to Z, this colorful book with simple text educates youth about how certain fruits, vegetables, and other plants grow in the garden. |
| Insects & Other Critters |
Ant Cities
Donnos, Arthur
HarperCollins Publishers, 1987
This nonfiction book with colorful illustrations describes the activities that occur in an ant colony.
Antics!
Hepworth, Cathi
The Putnam & Grosset Group, 1992
This colorful, alphabetical anthology describes 26 words, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet and contain the word "ant."
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!
Barner, Bob
Chronicle Books, 1999
The simple text with vibrant colors provide young readers a positive spin to the bugs they see around their garden and home.
Compost Critters
Lavies, Bianca
Dutton's Children's Press, 1993
Photographs and informational text about the critters one may see in a compost bin or garden.
Cucumber Soup
Krudwig, Vickie Leigh
Fulcrum Publishing, 1998
This counting picture book, full of whimsical insects, introduces the students to many critters one would find in a garden.
The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Kalman, Bobbie
Crabtree Publishing Company, 2002
Through colorful photographs, explore the amazing life cycle of the butterfly.
One Hundred Hungry Ants
Pinczes, Elinor
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993
One hundred hungry ants in rows of various sizes march to sample the delights of a picnic.
Spotted Beetles: Ladybugs in Your Backyard
Loewen, Nancy
Picture Window Books, 2004
Scientific information is interspersed with primary-level text to explain interesting and important facts about ladybugs. |
| Mathematics |
The Grapes of Math
Tang, Greg
Scholastic Press, 2001
Use a few problem-solving techniques to solve the math puzzles in this book. Many have themes of fruits, vegetables, and insects.
One Grain of Rice
Demi
Scholastic Inc., 1997
This mathematical folktale illustrates the concept of doubling using rice as the example.
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| People, Community, & Land |
Angels in the Dust
Raven, Margot Theis
BridgeWater Books, 1996
Great-grandma Annie tells about the harsh realities of her life in Oklahoma during the dust bowl years, although describes how people found the best of themselves to share.
Climbing Kansas Mountains
Shannon, George
Bradbury Press, 1993
A young boy and father share the beauty of a Kansas farm and landscape.
The Ears of Corn
Jennings, Patrick
Holiday House, 2003
Ike and Mem stay on their grandparents’ farm for the weekend and learn a whole new meaning of cooperation.
Farmers' Market
Johnson, Paul Brett
Orchard Books, 1997
On Saturdays in the summer Laura goes with her family to sell their produce at the local farmers’ market and plays with her friend Betsy.
The Gigantic Turnip
Tolstoy, Aleksei and Niamh Sharkey
Barefoot Books, 1998
This nineteenth century Russian story shows how a farmer and his wife pull a gigantic turnip out of the ground with the help of their friends.
Grassroots Poems by Carl Sandburg
Minor, Wendell
Browndeer Press, 1998
Fourteen poems with Midwestern themes or settings provide timeless observations about the heart of America with illustrations that evoke the sights and sounds of the Midwest.
Growing Seasons
Splear, Elsie Lee
G.P. Putnam Sons, 2000
This true story of Elsie Lee Splear's childhood spent on Illinois tenant farms in the early part of the 20th century provides a historical view of farm life during that time period.
Harvest Festivals
Thompson, Gare
National Geographic, 2002
Learn about different harvest festivals that people have around the world.
Market Day
Bunting, Eve
HarperCollins Publishing, 1996
Young children in Ireland observe farm animals and crops when they visit a country fair on market day.
Prairie Town
Geisert, Bonnie and Arthur Geisert
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998
Enter a prairie town and explore the social and economic life of this community from the aspects of farmers and townspeople.
The Story of Paper
Compestine, Ying Chang
Holiday House, 2003
Learn about the accidental creation of paper when Ting, Pan, and Kuai try to create something for their teachers to write on.
This Land is Your Land
Guthrie, Woody
Little, Brown and Company, 1998
This classic folk song is brought to life in this illustrated edition and invites readers to journey across the country to view America's diverse land and people. |
| Plants, Environment, & Natural Resources |
Dirt: The Scoop on Soil
Rosinsky, Natalie
Picture Window Books, 2003
Vivid illustrations and clear, fact-filled text explore the amazing science of soil.
Flowers
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the anatomy and function of flowers through colorful photographs and primary text.
From Seed to Plant
Gibbons, Gail
Holiday House, 1991
Learn the science of seeds and how they grow into flowers, trees, and other plants.
How a Plant Grows
Kalman, Bobbie
Crabtree Publishing Company, 1997
Through nonfiction text and colorful photographs, learn how plants grow, and then try a couple of experiments that are listed.
How Does My Garden Grow?
Tunkin, David
National Geographic, 2003
Learn that plants in the garden need sunlight, water, and soil to grow.
Leaves
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the functions of leaves and the details of how leaves utilize light to make food for themselves.
Seeds
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the functions of seeds through colorful photographs and simple text.
Seeds Grow Into Plants
Lucca, Mario
National Geographic, 2001
Observe seeds and what they grow into through colorful photographs and simple text.
Slop! A Welsh Folktale
MacDonald, Margaret Read
Fulcrum Publishing, 1997
This Welsh folktale shows what a clever man and woman do with their leftover vegetable peelings and dishwater. Introduces the concept of composting.
Stems
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the functions of stems through colorful photographs and simple text.
Sun Song
Marzzolo, Jean
HarperCollins, 1995
Animals and plants respond to the changing light over the course of a single day.
Sunflowers
Saunders-Smith, Gail
Capstone Press, 1998
Learn the life cycle of the sunflower in this primary reader that has color photographs.
This is the Sea that Feeds Us
Baldwin, Robert F
Dawn Publications, 1998
This book links a fish dinner with the entire marine food web. Beginning with tiny plankton, each verse introduces a new link in the marine food chain.
A Tree's Life
Tunkin, David
National Geographic, 2003
This early nonfiction reader explains the life cycle of a pine tree.
What Grows From a Tree?
Schaefer, Lola
Yellow Umbrella Books, 2001
This nonfiction beginning reader shows photographs of different things that grow on trees.
The World's Largest Plants: A Book About Trees
Blackaby, Susan
Picture Window Books, 2003
Learn about the kinds of trees, their life cycles, and how people utilize their products. |
| Ranching |
Amazing Grazing
Peterson, Cris
Boyds Mills Press, 2002
Learn about grazing by examining real ranches throughout the country.
Cowboy Country
Scott, Ann Herbert
Clarion Books, 1993
A young boy visits a ranch in order to see what it is like to be a cowboy today, and the differences in being a cowboy in the past and being one today.
Cowgirl
McGregor, Merideth
Walker and Company, 1992
Casey, the cowgirl, describes her life on a Texas ranch with her parents and the ranch animals.
Jack Creek Cowboy
Johnson, Neil
Dial Books for Young Readers, 1993
The story of a ten-year-old boy and his brother as they help their father with cowboy jobs on their large Wyoming ranch.
Just Like My Dad
Gardella, Tricia
HarperCollins, 1993
The story of a little cowhand who helps his father with the ranch work. The book demonstrates the variety of tasks and the hard work of owning a ranch. |
| Textiles & Fibers |
Charlie Needs a Cloak
Paola, Tomie de
Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1973
Charlie and his favorite sheep enact the story of the way wool becomes cloth and then how cloth becomes clothes.
Cotton Comes From Plants
Yu, Norman
National Geographic, 2003
Learn how cotton is grown and made into the clothes we wear.
Farmer Brown Shears His Sheep
Sloat, Teri
Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc., 2000
In this whimsical picture book with simple text, learn how a sheep is sheared and how the wool is processed and made into colorful sweaters.
From Cotton to T-shirt
Nelson, Robin
Lerner Publications Company, 2003
Discover how a cotton T-shirt is created from start to finish in this simply written emerging reader book which has colorful photographs.
From Plant to Blue Jeans
L'Hommedieu, Arthur John
Children's Press, 1997
Through colorful photographs and simple text, learn how cotton is grown and is processed into clothing.
A New Coat for Anna
Ziefert, Harriet
Knopf, 1986
Anna visits the sheep that provide the wool and all the people involved in making her winter coat.
Pelles New Suit
Beskow, Elsa
Translated by Marion Letcher Woodburn. Floris Books, 1989
The story follows Pelle, a young Swedish boy, as he shears his lamb and then takes his wool to others to eventually get a new suit.
Spring Fleece: A Day of Sheep Shearing
Paladino, Catherine
Little Brown and Company, 1990
Text and photographs follow two sheep shearers through their day of rounding up sheep, shearing them, and bundling the fleeces, connecting wool to clothing.
Warm as Wool
Sanders, Scott Russell
Bradbury Press, 1992
The story of a family in Ohio in 1803 in a cold log cabin. The mother buys eight bedraggled sheep to get wool to make warm clothing for the children.
Wool Keeps Me Warm
Lucca, Mario
National Geographic, 2003
From sheep to clothing, learn about wool. |
| In Spanish |
Bread is for Eating
Gershator, David and Phillis Gershator
Henry Holt, 1995
Mamita explains how bread is produced from seed to flour in a poem/song in English and Spanish.
Calabazas
Burckhardt, de Ann L
Capstone Press, 1999
This book with Spanish text shows the growing and harvesting of pumpkins.
Cerdos
Brady, de Peter
Capstone Press, 1999
This book with Spanish text shows the raising and caring of swine.
Granjeros y granjeras
Ready, de Dee
Capstone Press, 1999
In Spanish, learn how farmers grow grains and what they are used for.
Manzanas
Burckhardt, de Ann L
Capstone Press, 1999
This book with Spanish text shows the growing and harvesting of apples.
Ovejas
Brady, de Peter
Capstone Press, 1999
This book with Spanish text shows the raising and caring of sheep.
Pollos
Brady, de Peter
Capstone Press, 1999
This book with Spanish text shows the raising and caring of chickens.
Vacas
Brady, de Peter
Capstone Press, 1999
This book with Spanish text shows the raising and caring of cattle. |
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