Informational Books: Give factual information about any aspect of the biological, social, or physical world.
Chameleon, Chameleon Written by Joy Cowley
Award: NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Reading Level: 1st and 2nd Grade Summary: This fun and informational picture book follows the adventure of a chameleon in search of a new home. He encounters many creatures along the way. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book could be used in a science lesson that focuses on animals and their environments. It could also be used in a photography lesson to showcase photographic techniques.
First the Egg Written by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Award: Caldecott Award Reading Level: Kindergarten and 1st Grade Summary: This little informational books follows the sequence of what comes first and what comes next, such as first the egg, then the chicken, or first the caterpillar, then the butterfly. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book could be used in an English Language Arts lesson that looks at cause and effect. It could also be used in a science lesson that focuses on animal development and growth.
Grand Canyon Written by Jason Chin
Award: Caldecott Award Reading Level: 5th and 6th Grade Summary: This book describes in detail the wonders of the Grand Canyon, how it was formed, how large it is, what animals and plants live there as well as the many layers of rock that form it. Starting from the bottom, the book describes the various climates and habitats at each level. It works its way up and describes to the reader the age of the rock formations and provides pictures that show how the world looked when the rocks were formed. There is much to learn from this book, and it instills an desire in the reader to learn more about the grandest canyon in the world! Interdisciplinary Uses: This book is fantastic to use in a Science lesson. Students can learn so much about rock formations and how they are formed over time. It is also an excellent resource for learning about the history and formation of the Grand Canyon.
Sea Horse: The Shyest Fish in the Sea Written by Chris Butterworth Illustrated by John Lawrence
Award: Parents Choice Award Reading Level: 3rd and 4th Grade Summary: This story provides readers with all kinds of interesting information about seahorses. It follows the life of a male seahorse, and then it explores the life of a baby seahorse and how she survives in the wide open ocean. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book could be used in a science unit that explore animals and their environment. It could also be used in a lesson on colors.
Snowflake Bentley Written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin Illustrated by Mary Azarian
Award: Caldecott Award Reading Level: 4th and 5th Grade Summary: This story describes the life of Wilson Bentley who had a fascination with snowflakes. From it the reader can learn various facts about snowflakes and the methods Bentley used to photograph them. Bentley is still known today as Snowflake Bentley, the farmer scientist who revealed the mysteries of the snowflake. Interdisciplinary Uses: This book would be fantastic to use in a Unit on the seasons. Students can learn so much about winter and snowflakes from this book. This book could also be used in a lesson that looks at the history and development of cameras and photography.