Plants, Animals, and the Natural World

Picture Books | Younger  | Intermediate  | Young Adult

The books recommended below were published within the last several years. Grade levels are only suggestions; the individual child is the real criterion.

Picture Books
Suggested grade level listed with each entry

The Brook Book: Exploring the Smallest Streams written and illustrated by Jim Arnosky (Dutton)
Arnosky invites young readers to wade through a brook in a naturalist’s frame of mind, providing field guide–like illustrations and descriptions of the types of rocks, animals and plants that inhabit the brook environment. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Frogs and Spiders by Nic Bishop (Scholastic)
Amazing photographs are the stars of these two volumes featuring popular creepy-crawlies, but the stunning visuals are accompanied by informative texts that cover basic anatomical, behavioral, and reproductive facts about the featured animal. Grade level: K–3. 48 pages.

Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea written by Chris Butterworth, illus. by John Lawrence (Candlewick)
This delicately illustrated story of the life of the Barbour’s seahorse focuses on the male role in the reproductive cycle. 32 pages. Grade level: K–3.

Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator written by Sarah C. Campbell, illus. with photos by the author and Richard P. Campbell (Boyds Mills)
Close-up photography and spare text graphically convey a predatory wolfsnail’s single-minded pursuite of an unlucky garden snail; information on wolfsnail habits and life cycle is appended. Grade level: K-3.32 pages.

The Magic School Bus and the Science Fair Expedition written by Joanna Cole, illustrated by Bruce Degen (Scholastic)
The tireless teacher steers her school bus through time to introduce her students to various scientific giants (Galileo, Leeuwenhoek, Marie Curie, etc). Grade level: 3–5. 48 pages.

Chameleon, Chameleon written by Joy Cowley, illus. with photos by Nic Bishop (Scholastic)
Spectacular photography and a witty text tell the tale of a chameleon on the move; additional species facts are appended. Grade level: Preschool–3. 32 pages.

Diary of a Fly written by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Harry Bliss (Cotler/HarperCollins)
Like the previous series entries, this tale of three diminutive friends (a fly, a worm, and a spider), distinguished by impeccable comedic timing, uses humor to relay real-life information. Grade level: Preschool–3. 40 pages.

Extreme Animals: The Toughest Creatures on Earth written by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Neal Layton (Candlewick)
This integration of riveting scientific information, gross guts-and-gore, and humor explores the adaptations made by organisms that thrive under conditions that would wipe out humans in seconds. Grade level: 2–5. 64 pages.

Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear written by Nicola Davies, illus. by Gary Blythe (Candlewick)
Stunning oil paintings and text that is at once poetic and scientifically precise represent the features and habits of the polar bear. Includes an index and author’s note. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

White Owl, Barn Owl written by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Michael Foreman (Candlewick)
A fictional but educational account of a young girl learning about owls by building and watching a nest box with her grandfather. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Surprising Sharks written by Nicola Davies, illus. by James Croft (Candlewick)
An informative yet humorous tour of sharks of all shapes and sizes. A Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Tigress written by Nick Dowson, illus. by Jane Chapman (Candlewick)
Handsome illustrations and rich imagery describe the protective, hunting, growth and play habits of a mother tiger and her cubs. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Tracks of a Panda written by Nick Dowson, illustrated by Yu Rong (Candlewick)
A fictitious but realistic year in the life of a Chinese panda and her cub reveals the hardships they face — both natural and man-made — as they search for a permanent den. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Meerkat Mail written and illustrated by Emily Gravett
A Kalahari Desert meerkat leaves his annoying family to visit mongoose relatives in a variety of locales, sending home postcards as he goes. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Ice Bears written by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Ilya Spirin (Holt)
This story of the growth and survival of two polar bear cubs in their first year of life subtly addresses the effects of global warming on the Arctic. Grade level: K-3. 40 pages.

Rain, Rain, Rain Forest written by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illus. by Steve Jenkins (Holt)
The daily activities of a sloth illustrate the rich diversity of a rainforest ecosystem. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Hide and Seek: Nature’s Best Vanishing Acts written by Andrea Helman, illustrated with photos by Gavriel Jecan (Walker)
Animals with markings or colorings that allow them to blend into their surroundings are the focus of this find-the-animal-in-the-picture book, organized by habitat. Grade level: Preschool–3. 40 pages.

Ape written by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Vicky White (Candlewick)
Simple text and large pencil-and-oil pictures introduce the five species of great apes (orangutan, chimp, bonobo, gorilla, and human), providing basic information about diet, behavior, and social structure. Grade level: Preschool–2. 48 pages.

Actual Size written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Houghton)
Life-size illustrations of eighteen creatures (or parts of them) invite reader participation. The vital stats of participating animals are appended. Grade level: Preschool–2. 32 pages.

Almost Gone written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins (HarperCollins)
Jenkins’s signature collage illustrations and succinct, informative text showcase twenty-eight endangered and extinct animals. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

How Many Ways Can You Catch a Fly? written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Houghton)
In answer to the title question — and five more — the authors present six animals and their distinct ways of accomplishing similar tasks, which are succinctly described and engagingly illustrated on full but uncrowded spreads. Grade level K–3. 32 pages.

I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats around the World written by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Houghton)
The authors turn the familiar elementary-school topic of animal habitats into an appealing game of hide-and-seek. Grade level: Preschool–3. 32 pages.

Living Color written and illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Houghton)
Merging two common concept-book topics, Jenkins explains why animals are (or can look or can change into) a certain color, introducing a rainbow palette of fascinating creatures. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Move! written by Steven Jenkins and Robin Page, illus. by Steve Jenkins (Houghton)
Twelve animals move across the page in an illustrated survey of the various creatures’ habits that also showcases a variety of action verbs. Grade level: Preschool–3. 32 pages.

Zoo-ology written and illustrated by Joelle Jolivet (Roaring Brook)
A superbly illustrated introduction to animals around the world, organized by traits and habitats. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

It’s a Butterfly’s Life written and illustrated by Irene Kelly (Holiday)
Basic information about the life cycle of a butterfly is included along with “amazing but true” facts and a guide to creating a butterfly garden. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Finding Home written by Sandra Markle, illustrated by Alan Marks (Charlesbridge)
Caught at the edge of a bushfire, a koala and her joey escape the flames and then begin a long search for a new habitat that takes them out of the bush and into a suburb. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Little Lost Bat written by Sandra Markle, illus. by Alan Marks (Charlesbridge)
An engaging voice cleanly relates a baby bat’s first few weeks in one of the world’s largest bat colonies. 32 pages. Grade level: K–3.

Wildfire written and illustrated by Taylor Morrison (Lorraine/Houghton)
A clear, accessible introduction to the ponderosa pine forests of the American West and the cutting-edge firefighting technologies used to protect them. A 2006 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Honor Book. 48 pages. Grade level: 4–8.

Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks and Clapping Jaws written by Wendy Pfeffer, illus. by Helen K. Davie (HarperCollins)
Elegant analogies introduce children to basic concepts of dolphin communicative behavior. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Wiggling Worms at Work written by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (HarperCollins)
Clear descriptions of worm habits and habitats and suggested activities for further exploration. Grade level: K–3. 40 pages.

Sparrows written by Hans Post and Kees Heij, illustrated by Irene Goede (Boyds Mills)
Friendly narration and realistic illustrations detail a year in the life of the European House Sparrow. K-3. 32 pages.

Seeds written and illustrated by Ken Robbins (Atheneum)
Challenging and informative photographs illustrate the links between the varied structures of seeds and their respective functions. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Sharks and Other Sea Monsters written and illustrated by Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart (Candlewick)
The second volume in an imaginative pop-up series takes readers into the sea to marvel at prehistoric marine creatures. 12 pages. Grade level: K–3.

The Bumblebee Queen written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Patricia J. Wynne (Charlesbridge)
Follows a queen bee through the yearly cycle of colony building and reproduction. Grade level: Preschool–3. 32 pages.

Trout Are Made of Trees written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Kate Endle (Charlesbridge)
Child-friendly sentences and an approachable context — a camping trip — demonstrate food-web relationships in a deciduous forest ecosystem. 32 pages. Grade level: K-3.

Vulture View written by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Holt)
The daily activities of turkey vultures are introduced with an economical, poetic text and intricate cut-paper illustrations. Grade level: K–3. 32 pages.

Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York written by Janet Schulman, illustrated by Meilo So (Knopf)
This third recent picture book about the red-tailed hawks that have nested on a posh Manhattan building since the 1990s tells the tale in greater detail, addressing the human response but focusing on the birds themselves. Grade level: 1–5. 40 pages.

Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow written by Joyce Sidman, illus. by Beth Krommes (Houghton)
A meadow’s varied plant and animal elements are presented in eight pairs of “poetry riddles” and precise, stylized scratchboard illustrations. Grade level: 2–5. 48 pages.

Penguins by Seymour Simon (HarperCollins)
In a voice perfectly attuned to elementary-age readers, Simon works his usual magic on the facts about penguin behaviors, reproduction, and feeding, spending time on the topics that naturally fascinate children. Grade level: 1–5. 32 pages.

Mosquito Bite written by Alexandra Siy, with photos by the author and photomicrographs by Dennis Kunkel (Charlesbridge)
Fascinating close-ups enhance this discussion of mosquito anatomy, development, and life cycle. Grade level: 1–4. 32 pages.

Turtle Tide: The Ways of Sea Turtles written by Stephen R. Swinburne, illus. by Bruce Hiscock (Boyds Mills)
An eloquent account of the dangers faced by newborn hatchlings of one of the earth’s oldest creatures as they journey from shore to sea. Grade level: 1–5. 32 pages.

Baby Sea Otter written by Betty Tatham, illus. by Joan Paley (Holt)
Vibrant paper-cut illustrations show how a mother otter cares for her pup as the two float, dive and play in a bright sea. Grade level: Preschool–3. 40 pages.

Do Lions Live on Lily Pads? written and illustrated by Melanie Walsh (Houghton)
This crowd-pleasing and humorous question-and-answer book is a natural entrée to discussions about animal dwellings. 32 pages. Grade level: Preschool.

The Tale of Pale Male: A True Story written and illustrated by Jeanette Winter (Harcourt)
The true story of “Pale Male” and his mate, the first red-tailed hawks to nest in Manhattan’s high-rises buildings. Grade level: Preschol–2. 32 pages.

Younger
Suggested grade level for each entry: 1–3

The Day the Dinosaurs Died written by Charlotte Lewis Brown, illustrated by Phil Wilson (HarperCollins)
Dinosaurs meet horrific ends as an asteroid hits Earth in this realistic explanation of their sudden demise. 48 pages.

Panda: A Guide Horse for Ann written by Rosanna Hansen, illustrated with photos by Neil Soderstrom (Boyds Mills)
The story of one of the first miniature horses to be trained as a guide animal for a blind person. 48 pages.

Intermediate
Suggested grade level for each entry: 4–6

Sea Cows, Shamans, and Scurvy: Alaska’s First Naturalist: Georg Wilhelm Steller written and illustrated by Ann Arnold (Farrar)
Arnold draws mainly from Steller’s journals to present the naturalist’s Lewis and Clark–style mission into Alaska; the sketches throughout give the narrative the look of a field diary. 227 pages.

Shark Life: True Stories about Sharks & the Sea written by Peter Benchley, adapted by Karen Wojtyla (Delacorte)
The author of Jaws dispels common misperceptions about sharks — offering thrills for those who don’t go near the water and some sensible advice for those who do. 196 pages.

Tracking Trash: Flotsam, Jetsam, and the Science of Ocean Motion by Loree Griffin Burns (Houghton)
Starting with a washed-up Nike shoe from a cargo shipment accident, scientist Curt Ebbesmeyer builds a hypothesis about Pacific ocean currents using patterns of spill drift. 58 pages.

Emi and the Rhino Scientist written by Mary Kay Carson, illustrated with photos by Tom Uhlman (Houghton)
Teri Roth, director of the Center for Conservation and Research of Endagered Wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo, and her patient, Emi, a pregnant rhinoceros, introduce readers to the practices of captive breeding programs. 64 pages.

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming written by Lynne Cherry and Gary Braasch (Dawn)
The authors detail significant research projects by both students and professional scientists that reveal and demonstrate changes in ecosystems, driving home the message that change really is occurring at an accelerated rate. 66 pages.

Pocket Babies and Other Amazing Marsupials by Sneed B. Collard (Darby Creek)
This guide to marsupials features detailed explanations of geographic distribution, scientific classification, distinguishing features, a tour of all marsupial families, and profiles of selected species. 72 pages.

Science Warriors: The Battle Against Invasive Species written by Sneed B. Collard III (Houghton)
Collard profiles scientists battling two invaders (imported red fire ants in Texas and the Melaleuca tree in Florida) causing ecological devastation.. 48 pages.

The Prairie Builders: Reconstructing America’s Lost Grasslands by Sneed B. Collard III (Houghton)
A study of the decades-long development and monitoring of the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa, an effort to return farmland to the tall-grass prairie it once was. 72 pages.

The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon (Orchard/Scholastic)
Addressing three points — what global warming is, how it affects the earth and its inhabitants, and what action kids (and adults) can take to halt its progression — the authors speak plainly and clearly to their audience using kid-friendly metaphors. 112 pages.

Poop: A Natural History of the Unmentionable written by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Neal Layton (Candlewick)
How poop is used by animals in their everyday lives and by naturalists, paleontologists, and biologists in their studies. 61 pages.

What’s Eating You?: Parasites—The Inside Story written by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Neal Layton (Candlewick)
Catering to kids who like their science creepy-crawly, the acclaimed duo explore the world of the “more than 430 different kinds of parasites that can live on a human body…or in one.” 64 pages.

The Whale Scientists: Solving the Mystery of Whale Strandings by Fran Hodgkins (Houghton)
After a fascinating description of the evolution of modern whales, the latest entry in the Scientists in the Field series examines the devastating impact of humans on cetacean populations and how human activities have affected whales and other sea creatures. 64 pages.

ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room by Donna M. Jackson (Houghton)
“Aww”-inspiring photographs, along with pet and doctor profiles, enhance this exploration of the workings of a veterinary emergency room. 88 pages.

Evolving Planet: Four Billion Years of Life on Earth written by Erica Kelly and Richard Kissel (Abrams)
Based on a Field Museum exhibit, this thorough, field guide–like survey of life on Earth from four billion years ago to the present day highlights key animal species. 136 pages.

Diving to a Deep-Sea Volcano by Kenneth Mallory (Houghton)
This entry in the Scientists in the Field series follows a marine biologist who studies the unique ecosystem plant and animal life that forms around undersea hydrothermal vents. 60 pages.

Outside and Inside Killer Bees by Sandra Markle (Walker)
How European honeybees and killer science lab escapees compare in terms of anatomy, social hierarchy, and honey production. 40 pages.

Outside and Inside Mummies by Sandra Markle (Walker)
The ways mummies provide scientific clues to ancient civilizations’ diets, activities, death rituals, and even climate conditions. 40 pages.

Snakes: Biggest! Littlest! written by Sandra Markle, illus. with photos by Joe McDonald (Boyds Mills)
A friendly narrative with a helpful mix of awe, information, and well-chosen analogies explores various species and sizes of snakes. Grade Level: K–3. 32 pages.

Sneaky, Spinning Baby Spiders written by Sandra Markle (Walker)
Guiding readers through the basics of spider reproduction and growth, Markle creates an exemplary interactivity of text and detailed close-up photos.Grade level: K-3. 32 pages.

Oh, Rats!: The Story of Rats and People written by Albert Marrin, illus. by C. B. Mordan (Dutton)
Nine fact-filled chapters enthusiastically present everything you’ll ever want to know about rats…and some things you might not. 48 pages.

Quest for the Tree Kangaroo: An Expedition to the Cloud Forest of New Guinea written by Sy Montgomery, photos by Nic Bishop (Houghton)
Scientists in the Field series. Scientist Lisa Dabek tracks and studies the rare Matschie’s tree kangaroo, offering insight into the realities of field work as well as the animals. 80 pages.

The Tarantula Scientist written by Sy Montgomery, illus. with photos by Nic Bishop (Houghton)
Arachnologist Sam Marshall goes on a field expedition to study South American spiders. 80 pages.

Gorilla Doctors: Saving Endangered Great Apes by Pamela S. Turner (Houghton)
Local and international teams of veterinarians practice conservation medicine to bolster the health of the gorilla populations in Rwanda and Uganda. 64 pages.

Looking for Seabirds: Journal from an Alaskan Voyage written and illustrated by Sophie Webb (Houghton)
A scientist recounts her observation of, and research in, Arctic marine life over the course of a single voyage. 48 pages.

Young Adult
Suggested grade level for each entry: 7 and up

Up Close: Jane Goodall by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (Viking)
Bardhan-Quallen effectively blends excerpts from Goodall’s writing that reveal her passion for her research with narration that provides glimpses of Goodall’s private life. 215 pages.

Up Close: Rachel Carson by Ellen Levine (Viking)
Excerpts from the prominent environmentalist’s lyrical writings are a highlight of this meaty biography. Grade level: 6–8. 216 pages.

One Kingdom: Our Lives with Animals written and illustrated with photographs by Deborah Noyes (Houghton)
An exploration of the ways in which humankind has historically approached animals, followed by a challenging discussion of contemporary positions and future options. 128 pages.

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