Earth and Space Science 

The book "Bear Shadow" by Frank Asch is a playful and gentle story about a bear trying to catch a fish. However, the bear's large shadow scares him. Determined to get rid of his shadow completely, the bear tries various methods, such as running away from it, covering it up, and even digging a hole to trap it. Despite his efforts, the shadow remains with him no matter what he does. Ultimately, the bear learns that shadows are a natural part of life and will follow him whenever the sun shines. This story is an excellent tool for introducing children to how shadows are created when an object blocks sunlight. The illustrations depict shadows that will aid visual learners, and the wording is simple and playful, engaging young students.

In the book "Oscar and the Moth," a curious kitten named Oscar meets a wise moth who helps him understand the difference between light and dark. Throughout the story, Oscar and the moth engage in conversations where Oscar asks questions, and the moth explains how the sun provides us with light and heat during the day. The moth also discusses how artificial light sources, like lamps and flashlights, illuminate our surroundings at night. Additionally, during their discussions, the moth introduces the basic concept of how shadows are formed when light from the sun or artificial sources is blocked. This story beautifully showcases the growing friendship between the two characters and serves as a wonderful introduction to the topics of light sources, darkness, and shadows.

"Weather Words and What They Mean" by Gail Gibbons is a nonfiction picture book that introduces young readers to key vocabulary and concepts related to weather. Gibbons uses clear language and colorful illustrations to enhance understanding while describing terms like temperature, wind, clouds, rain, snow, and storms. The author also explains how these natural phenomena occur. Additionally, the book discusses how the sun affects weather and how temperatures change with the seasons. Although there is a substantial amount of vocabulary presented in the book, kindergarteners may not remember every term. However, it serves as a great, structured way to introduce foundational information about weather.

The primary focus of the book "Day and Night" by National Geographic is to explain the difference between day and night. Using real-life photos, the book illustrates how the Earth's rotation causes the sun to rise in the morning and set at night. By showcasing images of sunrise, daytime, dusk, and nighttime, kindergarteners gain an accurate visual representation, accompanied by clear explanations of each. Additionally, the book compares what happens in the morning, such as animals waking up, with what occurs at night when nocturnal animals come out. This book serves as an excellent introduction to day and night patterns, offering a strong non-fiction connection that encourages observational skills and vocabulary development for kindergarteners. It could also prompt further discussions, allowing kindergarteners to talk about what they do during the day versus what they do at night.

"A Tree for All Seasons" is a beautifully photographed nonfiction book that follows the same tree through each of the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Each page features clear and simple descriptions of how the tree changes over time. For instance, you can see buds blooming in the spring, whole green leaves in the summer, colorful leaves falling in the autumn, and bare branches in the winter. The visual representation of how this single tree changes with the seasons perfectly illustrates how living things evolve, and it shows that these changes can be observed. This would be an excellent read-aloud for a kindergarten classroom when talking about seasons and change over time. 

"Why Do Leaves Change Color?" by Betsy Maestro is a nonfiction picture book that explains the science behind the changing colors of leaves in the fall in a fun and accessible way for kindergarteners. With detailed illustrations and simple language, Maestro explains basic plant science, such as how leaves utilize sunlight to produce food during spring and summer. The book also explains what happens to the color of trees in autumn when chlorophyll breaks down, revealing the beautiful red, orange, and yellow pigments hidden inside the leaves. Additionally, the author discusses the effects that temperature and daylight have on this phenomenon. This book is an excellent read-aloud for teaching about predictable changes and patterns in the environment, particularly how natural things change, grow, and adapt.

“Michael Recycle” by Ellie Bethel is an exciting picture book about a superhero who arrives in a trash-filled town to teach its citizens how to care for the environment and the Earth as a whole. With fun rhymes and adventurous illustrations, this book emphasizes the importance of recycling, reducing waste, and reusing materials. Throughout the story, we see how Michael helps the town of Abberdoo-Rimey transform into a clean and eco-friendly place. The book is particularly engaging for kindergartners, thanks to its bold illustrations and humorous, easy-to-understand language. At the end, there is a section called “Michael Recycle's Go Green Tips,” where Bethel offers simple ways for readers to start reusing materials and helping the Earth. This book is an excellent read-aloud choice for kindergartners, as it effectively discusses the importance of recycling, reusing items, and understanding how our choices impact the environment.

“The Earth Book” by Todd Parr is a simple picture book that teaches young children how to care for the planet. In this book, Todd Parr writes from a first-hand perspective and shares easy, everyday decisions and actions kids can take to help the earth. For example, “I turn off the faucet when I brush my teeth, and I use less water for my baths because I love the fish and I want the oceans to stay blue”. This is the wording on each page of the book, using repetitive language to help young children understand that the actions we take affect the world. The book also emphasizes the importance of small actions, such as using both sides of the paper and planting trees, to make a significant difference. Its vibrant illustrations and relatable examples make it an engaging and educational resource for young readers, fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental care.