Science 2 - Earth Systems Books
Aristotelian Elements (Earth, Water, Air, and Fire)
"All the Water in the World" by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson, is a vibrant and engaging children's book that explains the water cycle and emphasizes the importance of water conservation. Through rhythmic text and lively, fluid illustrations, the book illustrates how water travels from the sky to the earth and back again, showing its various forms from rain to rivers to ocean. The narrative creatively connects the need for water by all living things with the finite amount of water available on our planet. The book teaches children about the continuous movement and essential nature of water, encouraging them to appreciate and conserve this vital resource.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iMqloLtf0E
Internet Archive Library (only available for people with print disabilities): https://archive.org/details/allwaterinworld0000lyon
"Clouds" by Anne Rockwell is a delightful children's book that introduces young readers to the fascinating world of clouds and the role they play in our weather system. The book explains how clouds are formed from water vapor in the air and categorizes the different types of clouds, such as cumulus, stratus, and cirrus, along with the weather patterns associated with each. Through simple language and clear illustrations, it teaches children how to observe and identify these clouds in the sky. "Clouds" effectively combines lessons on both water and air, demonstrating how they interact in the Earth's atmosphere to create the weather we experience daily.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdAzLV1zW3s
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/clouds00rock
"Drop: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle" by Emily Kate Moon is an imaginative and educational children’s book that personifies a drop of water, named Drop, as it embarks on an adventurous journey through the water cycle. From soaring high in the sky as part of a fluffy cloud to plunging into the deep sea and freezing into an icy glacier, Drop experiences the various stages of the water cycle firsthand. This engaging narrative teaches young readers about the continuous movement of water on Earth, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. The book beautifully illustrates these processes and instills a sense of wonder about the natural world, making it a great resource for understanding how essential and dynamic water is to our planet.
"A Drop Around the World" by Barbara Shaw McKinney, illustrated by Michael S. Maydak, is a captivating and educational children’s book that follows a single drop of water on its global journey through various ecosystems and states. The drop experiences numerous transformations—from rain to river water, steam to snow—illustrating the water cycle in a personal and relatable way. The book emphasizes the interconnectedness of global water systems and the ways water impacts diverse habitats and life forms. Through this journey, readers learn about water conservation, the importance of clean water, and the environmental challenges water faces around the world, making it an invaluable resource for understanding water's essential role in Earth's systems.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIq52NBZ-cM
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/droparoundworld0000mcki
"Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years" by Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by David Litchfield, is a charming and personable children's book narrated by Earth itself, offering a whimsical and informative overview of the planet's long history. The book introduces young readers to Earth’s formation, its place in the solar system, and the development of continents and oceans over billions of years. Through engaging and humorous storytelling, it covers major geological and biological events, such as the age of dinosaurs and the rise of humans. This book teaches about Earth's dynamic changes, its natural resources, and the importance of taking care of our unique and beautiful planet, all presented in a way that is accessible and enjoyable for young children.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K-tE0tglvY
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/earthmyfirst454b0000mcan
"Feel the Wind" by Arthur Dorros is an informative children's book that delves into the science of wind and air. The book explains how wind is created through the uneven heating of the Earth's surface by the sun and describes different types of winds, from gentle breezes to powerful hurricanes. Through engaging text and clear illustrations, it explores the effects of wind on weather, the environment, and human activities such as flying kites and sailing boats. "Feel the Wind" helps young readers understand the dynamic and invisible force of air in a tangible way, fostering a deeper understanding of how air moves and influences the world around us.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBIbg3ZAWXM
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/feelwind00dorr
"One Earth" by Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Rogério Coelho, is a vibrant children's book that emphasizes the importance of caring for our planet through the lens of conservation and stewardship. This beautifully illustrated book uses a counting structure to explore the diversity of life and landscapes on Earth, from one wide, sweeping ocean to four clean winds, celebrating the natural resources our planet offers. It particularly highlights the role of water in sustaining life, underscoring the need for conservation and the wise use of this precious resource. "One Earth" teaches young readers about the interconnectedness of natural elements and encourages them to be mindful of their environmental impact, fostering a sense of responsibility and appreciation for water and other natural resources.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hACmpIcMwU
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/oneearth0000spin
"A Rock Is Lively" by Dianna Hutts Aston and illustrated by Sylvia Long is an engaging and visually stunning children's book that brings the seemingly inert world of rocks to vibrant life. Through its beautifully detailed illustrations and concise, poetic text, the book explores the diverse and colorful nature of rocks around the world. It delves into the various types, from glittering diamonds to ancient fossils, illustrating how rocks form, change, and play an essential role in the Earth's crust. "A Rock Is Lively" educates young readers about the dynamic and fascinating geological processes that create and transform rocks, making it a delightful resource for learning about the solid part of our planet, the earth element in a broader sense.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuwlLtJ6uM0
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/rockislively0000asto
"Water Dance" by Thomas Locker is an evocative and beautifully illustrated children's book that explores the various forms and stages of water around us. Through rich, flowing oil paintings and lyrical text, the book personifies water, inviting readers to follow its journey as it dances in the sky as clouds, flows through rivers, crashes as waves, and falls as rain. The narrative gently educates young readers about the water cycle, emphasizing the natural beauty and essential role of water in the Earth's systems. "Water Dance" is an artistic celebration of water, making it a delightful educational tool for teaching children about this vital element in a poetic and visually stunning way.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIS6tGb9GxM
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/waterdance0000lock
"The Water Hole" by Graeme Base is a captivating children's book that combines counting with a message about conservation and the importance of water to all life forms. Illustrated with rich, detailed artwork, the book follows various animals from around the world as they come to a shrinking water hole. Each page features a different number and set of animals, showing the interconnectedness of global ecosystems and the crucial role water plays within them. As the water hole diminishes, readers see the impact of water scarcity, leading to a poignant reflection on environmental sustainability and the need for water conservation.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mretz8wv2Do
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/waterhole00base
"Water Is Water: A Book About the Water Cycle" by Miranda Paul, illustrated by Jason Chin, is a beautifully crafted children's book that simplifies the complex processes of the water cycle into an engaging narrative for young readers. Using a series of playful rhymes, the book follows the journey of water as it transitions from rain to steam to ice and then back to liquid, demonstrating how water is ever-changing yet constant. The illustrations vividly complement the text, showcasing water in various forms and the impact of each state on the environment and daily life. This book not only teaches the scientific concept of the water cycle but also encourages appreciation for the natural world and the vital role that water plays in sustaining life.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlq2YDgSLU4
Internet Archive Library (only available for people with print disabilities): https://archive.org/details/wateriswaterbook0000paul
Landforms in Canada
"Carson Crosses Canada" by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Kass Reich, is a delightful children’s book that follows Carson, a small dog, and his owner Annie Magruder as they embark on a road trip across Canada from British Columbia to Newfoundland. Their journey showcases the vast and varied landscapes of Canada, from the rocky mountains and vast prairies to the great lakes and rugged Atlantic coast. Along the way, the duo experiences the rich diversity of Canadian landforms, cultures, and cuisine. This book not only highlights the geographical beauty of Canada but also subtly teaches children about the different landforms and regions across a large country, emphasizing the concept of diversity within unity.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S298SG4qpA
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/carsoncrossescan0000lind
"Grand Canyon" by Jason Chin is an educational and beautifully illustrated children's book that transports readers to the Grand Canyon, a spectacular example of a plateau landscape. The book expertly weaves together a narrative of a father and daughter exploring the Canyon, with informative sidebars that delve into the geological and ecological aspects of the area. It teaches about the formation of the canyon, emphasizing how the Colorado River carved its way through layers of rock to create the deep gorges and high plateaus that define the landscape. Through engaging visuals and text, the book highlights the unique features of plateaus, including their elevation, flat surfaces, and steep cliffs, helping young readers understand the natural processes that shape such remarkable landforms.
"The Mountain That Loved a Bird" by Alice McLerran, illustrated by Eric Carle, is a heartfelt story about the transformative power of friendship. It tells the tale of a desolate mountain named Joy who feels lonely until a bird named Grace flies by and begins to visit. Over the years, Grace brings seeds that gradually turn the barren mountain into a lush, green haven. This book teaches children about the enduring and nurturing aspects of mountains, illustrating how they can be both unyielding and home to diverse forms of life. It also imparts lessons on patience, change, and the impact of small acts of kindness, as the mountain, through its relationship with the bird, slowly becomes a vibrant ecosystem.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uqrCVXzq94
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/mountainthatlove0000mcle
"Prairie Storms" by Darcy Pattison is an engaging children's book that provides a close look at the life of prairie animals throughout the changing seasons, particularly focusing on how they cope with various weather conditions. Each month is highlighted with a different type of storm typical of the prairie ecosystem, from blizzards to tornadoes. While the main focus of the book is on weather and animal behavior, it indirectly teaches about the prairie as a landform—emphasizing its vast, flat expanses and the unique challenges and adaptations necessary for survival in this environment. Through its vivid illustrations and informative text, "Prairie Storms" gives young readers insight into the dynamic nature of prairies and the resilience of the wildlife that inhabits them.
Internet Archive Library (only available for people with print disabilities): https://archive.org/details/prairiestorms0000patt
"Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" by William Steig is a touching tale about Sylvester, a young donkey who discovers a magical pebble that grants wishes. In a moment of panic during an encounter with a lion, Sylvester inadvertently wishes himself into a rock to avoid being seen, but then cannot hold the pebble to wish himself back. The story unfolds with Sylvester as a rock on a small hill, where he remains immobile through the seasons while his family searches desperately for him. Although the mountain itself is not the main focus, the story subtly highlights the permanence and stability of the mountainous landscape, which contrasts sharply with Sylvester's precarious situation.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EbCLBaURpU
Internet Archive Library: https://archive.org/details/sylvestermagicpe0000stei