Nonfiction books for Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade
Finding nonfiction books for Kindergarten (and other primary grades) can seem like an impossible challenge. This is an evolving list of some of my favorite nonfiction books for primary grades. For this age, activities are great to help bring books to life.
Mistakes That Worked
This book is great for generally curious. I love the emphasis on mistakes not being inherently bad, but learning opportunities. Goes right along with growth mindset work and the nature of science.
In this book, your little learner gets to learn all about how things they might love like popsicles, potato chips, Silly Putty, Velcro, were invented or discovered.
The publishers summary. “In fact, dozens of products and everyday items had surprisingly haphazard beginnings. Mistakes That Worked offers forty of these unusual tales, along with hilarious cartoons and weird and amazing facts.”
Making connections with a text makes it more memorable. I suggest working through a simple design process project so kids can see the power of trial and error. Need some inspiration? One of our favorites was working to find the balance.
>>>>Grab your own copy of Mistakes That Worked<<<
Don’t Let Them Disappear
This is a beautiful book about 12 endangered species. Readers get to know these animals, what makes them unique, and how they are being threatened. The book is written to take readers through the course of a day of exploring and gives helpful tips on ways we can help prevent extinction.
The kids and I have done a lot of lessons and activities to promote conservation over the years. Making African doughnuts was a delicious way to get the kids talking about conservation.
>>> Grab your own copy of Don’t Let Them Disappear<<<
How a Seed Grows
If you haven’t discovered the world of Let’s Read and Find Out About Science ™ series, you need to learn about it now. Early readers love these nonfiction books. They are leveled to help you find the best match for your budding reader.
In this book, How a Seed Grows, the reader learns about the life cycle of a plant by following a seed through its journey to becoming a plant. These are some of my favorite nonfiction texts for young kids. I’ve used them with my older kids and look forward to using them with the baby of the family.
You can follow this up with a great flower dissection that lets your kiddo apply what they are learning with a hands-on project. You might wind up with some help in your garden.
The best thing about these readers is that you can read them for FREE. Many of these titles are currently included in Kindle Unlimited. Kindle Unlimited allows members access to over one million titles in the Kindle Store, including books, audiobooks, and magazines. This is a subscription service (the monthly fee is about the same a single title of this series), but you can try it out for FREE.
>>> Grab Your Copy of How a Seed Grows<<<
Pinocchio Rex and Other Tyrannosaurs
Did you know that T. Rex isn’t the only Tyrannosaur? This book tells you all about some of the new discoveries of paleontologists, including a dino with a long pointy nose. This book is a level 2 in the Let’s Read and Find Out About Science ™ series. It is a newer title and isn’t included in the Kindle Unlimited subscription just yet, but like all of these books, it is a great addition to your library.
Consider adding a Dino Dig to your reading. Kids love activities to help make the book come to life. Think of it as nonfiction story time. My kids have loved dinos since a very young age.
>>> Grab your copy of Pinocchio Rex and Other Tyrannosaurs<<<
Volcanoes!
Another book series that I love for some of our youngest scientists is National Geographic Readers, these books are at various levels. My favorite part is the AMAZING PHOTOGRAPHY that you’ve come to expect from National Geographic.
In this particular book, kids get a chance to learn about what causes volcanoes to form and erupt. This is a great mix of science, history, and action. There are loads of photos to inspire your kids to explore even more. Images include lava, ash, molten rock, weird rocks, and steaming seawater. This title is currently included in Kindle Unlimited.
You can use vinegar and baking soda to make your favorite things explode or use slime and cardboard in place of tectonic plates. This is a great tactile learning experience.
>>>> Grab Your Own Copy of Volcanoes!<<<<
Nonfiction Books for Kindergarten (and beyond)
This is just a starter list to help you start building a nonfiction library for the littles in your life. Looking for more ideas? Make sure to check out Where’s My Mummy and this book and idea about the moon.
