Nonfiction Picture Books
Need nonfiction picture books to add to your library? These books are ones that kids and teachers love. With interesting topics that support the standards and spark curiosity, you will find they rarely sit on the shelves.
***Note- This article contains Amazon Affiliate links. Click here to learn more.
Inky’s Amazing Escape by Sy Montgomery – Narrative Nonfiction
Ever heard of someone’s favorite animal being an octopus? After reading Inky’s Amazing Escape these amazing creatures just might find their way into your list of favorite animals. This true story of the finding of Inky by a Lobsterman and escape of Inky from the National Aquarium of New Zealand. Students will love learning facts about the octopus as well as how he could make his escape. The perfect read aloud for pleasure, as a nonfiction mentor text, or part of an animal research unit. It is definitely one of the favorite nonfiction picture books in the library.
Flower Talk: How Plant Use Color to Communicate by Sara Levine – Narrative Nonfiction
Starting a unit on plants? This is a must for any life science unit. The narrative nonfiction writing invites readers into why plants have certain colors. The plant describes why they are certain colors and which animals are drawn to a specific color. This book explains how the animals help plants grow. Have students demonstrate understanding by writing about or drawing a flower and explaining which animals would show up and help them.
The Oldest Student – How Mary Walker Learned to Read– Biography
The Oldest Student – How Mary Walker Learned to Read tells the life of Mary Walker. Born into slavery she always wanted to read, but life struggles always got in the way. Mary finally learned to read. The amazing life of Mary Walker is one that students will love and ask to learn more. It amazes me how many times I finish this book and it gets an applause from the class.
Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions- Biography
Get readers excited about biographies with this book about Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the Super Soaker water gun. Lonnie Johnson was an inventor from a very young age. He loved creating new things. Lonnie’s super-soaker water gun was a success, but it took a lot of perseverance and failure to get there. Readers will learn a lot from his journey.
Nesting follows the journey of robins as they prepare a nest for babies. The illustrations are so beautiful and detailed. Readers are immediately drawn in. From watching the blue eggs hatch to the suspense that builds when a snake climbs toward the nest, readers will hang on to every page. This is a great book to use as an introduction to informational writing.
The Truth About Hippos and The Truth About Elephants
These animal nonfiction picture books are information and funny. The author does a great job of engaging the reader with fun facts and telling a funny side story that demonstrates that information. These books are great to pair with the online Britannica Encyclopedia. The videos from the online encyclopedia support the information learned in the books.
Space Nonfiction Picture Books
The Sun Is Kind of a Big Deal breaks down what the sun is and why it is important. The main text is full of information but can be read in one reading. The side bars give more detailed information for readers who are wanting more. This book sparks lots of great questions and helps readers connect learning from 1st grade to 5th grade.
Moon! Earth’s Best Friend explains how the moon came to be. It also breaks down in simple language how the moon’s gravity helps Earth. This book explains that other planets have moons and how the moon rotates around the Earth.
A fun companion to these is There Was an Old Astronaut Who Swallowed the Moon. This book reviews key terms that kids learn about space from rockets to comets.
Reader Response to Nonfiction Picture Books
Poetry is a great way readers response. Use these free poetry templates to get students responding to these nonfiction texts. Have students write bio poems about the moon, haikus about hippos, or cinquains on plants.
Use these Reader Response Task Cards to get students talking about what they are reading. These information text starters will help students connect what they are reading to themselves and the world.
These Reading Strategy Bookmarks are great for students to use as they read. The nonfiction questions will guide readers to think and connect with what they are reading.
Looking for more Book Suggestions?
Leave a Reply