Physical Science 

"Cece Loves Science: Push and Pull" by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes is a fun picture book that teaches about pushes and pulls and how they affect motion. The story features Cece, an energetic girl who loves science, as she works on a class project. In science class, Cece and her classmates learn about pushes and pulls from their teacher, Miss Curie. They split into two teams to build a treat dispenser for Cece's dog, Einstein, that uses pushes and pulls. With her partner Isaac, Cece tests toy cars to see how different forces affect their movement. They learn how pushes and pulls can change an object's direction, speed, and distance. Next, they use a marble and dominoes in their project. They find out that if they roll the marble fast enough, it can knock down the dominoes, which will knock over the cup holding Einstein’s treats. To improve their experiment, they add a string connected to a toy truck on a ramp. In the final test, they pull the truck up the ramp while a classmate pushes the marble out of the truck. The marble rolls down the ramp, knocks over the dominoes, and makes the cup tip over, spilling the treats for Einstein. This book features clear and simple descriptions of Cece and her classmates' experiments, making it easy for readers to understand the science behind their project. Throughout this fictional narrative, it becomes evident that pushes and pulls are fundamental forces that cause objects to move, change direction, and adjust their motion based on the strength of the force applied.

“Forces Make Things Move” by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley introduces the concept of force in everyday life. Through simple explanations and engaging illustrations, the book explores how pushes and pulls cause objects to start moving, stop, or change direction. Bradley emphasizes that the strength of a push or pull affects how far or fast an object moves. For instance, if something is moving quickly, a stronger force is needed to bring it to a stop. The book also discusses how some forces, like friction, are invisible to the human eye. To help students connect with these concepts, the author uses relatable examples such as pushing a swing, pulling a wagon, and sliding on the floor. This would be an excellent read-aloud for introducing motion and force concepts in a kindergarten classroom.

"Matter: Physical Science for Kids" by Andi Diehn is an engaging nonfiction book that introduces young readers to the concept of matter, emphasizing that everything around us is composed of matter. The book explains that matter can take on various appearances and textures; for instance, it can be hard or soft, large or small, smooth or bumpy, and it can come in different colors, shapes, and weights. Using real-life examples, it clearly describes the three states of matter: gas, liquid, and solid. The book encourages students to observe and describe the physical properties of the objects around them. Overall, this book provides an excellent introduction to the concept of matter, demonstrating how it can be identified and characterized based on properties such as color, shape, texture, size, and weight.

"What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases" by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld is a nonfiction picture book aimed at teaching young readers about matter. It clearly explains that everything in the world is made up of three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. The book begins by referencing and illustrating objects in different colors, introducing the idea that color is one physical property of matter. It also discusses how solids can have various shapes and sizes, highlighting two additional physical properties. Furthermore, the book explains that solids maintain their shape, liquids flow and take the shape of their containers, and gases are all around us, even if we cannot see them. This provides young children with a basic understanding of the different forms of matter. It would make a great read-aloud in a kindergarten science classroom because it uses clear descriptions and colorful, engaging illustrations, encouraging kids to observe their surroundings.

"Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It" by Sharlee Glenn is a nonfiction picture book that has eight parts: "What’s Matter?", "Three Kinds of Matter," "Changing States," "Describing Matter," "Be a Solid Scientist," "Matters of Fact," "Glossary," "To Learn More," and "Index." Each part offers important information about matter, making it interesting and educational for young readers. In the first part, the author explains that everything around us is made of matter and that objects have physical properties. The second part describes the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. It shows that solids keep their shape, liquids change shape to fit their containers, and gases are everywhere, even if we can't see them. This helps kids learn how to understand and categorize matter. The third part teaches that matter can change from one state to another, which shows how matter can physically change and encourages kids to notice features like size, form, and texture. In the fourth part, the book explains how to describe matter using our five senses. It covers how to observe color, shape, size, texture, and weight, pointing out these features as properties of matter. The fifth part includes fun experiments for kids to try on their own. It provides a list of items that can be collected and tested for their properties, such as texture. The final sections provide additional information about matter, making this book a comprehensive guide for children to learn about the various properties of matter. Overall, it covers everything kindergarteners need to know about matter.

"Why Should I Save Water?" by Jen Green is an informative nonfiction book that highlights the importance of water conservation due to its various uses. The story follows a group of children as they discover the various ways water is utilized in everyday life, including drinking, bathing, cooking, cleaning, and growing plants. With colorful illustrations and accessible language, Jen Green highlights the importance of conserving water by clearly listing and illustrating the various ways people use water on a daily basis. This book would be an excellent read-aloud choice because it not only educates kids about water conservation but also demonstrates the multiple ways water is essential in our lives.

"I Am Water" by Jean Marzollo is a simple yet informative picture book that tells the story of water from its own perspective. Through colorful illustrations and clear language, the book demonstrates the various ways water can be used. For instance, it states, "I am water for drinking," "I am water for washing," and "I am water for cooking." By presenting these straightforward sentences alongside corresponding illustrations, young children will gain a solid understanding of the multiple uses of water. Additionally, the book teaches readers that water can be found in many different places. Examples include, "I am rivers for boats," "I am puddles for boots," "I am lakes for swimming," and "I am rain for the earth." This introduces children to the idea that water exists in a variety of environments. "I Am Water" would make an excellent read-aloud for kindergarteners, especially when discussing where water can be found and how we use it.