How a Seed Grows Author(s): Helene J. JordanIllustrator(s): Loretta Krupinski A very simple, charming book that explains to young children what seeds are and takes them through the development of some bean seeds. The growth present each day is illustrated in the book and the child is invited to try grow the beans themselves and watch the progress in real life. The book also introduces children to different kinds of seeds (for trees, flowers, vegetables, etc.), and how each seed will grow into the same kind of plant that it came from, and the basic things necessary to make a plant grow. Read more about How a Seed Grows
Falcons Nest on Skyscrapers Author(s): Priscilla Belz JenkinsIllustrator(s): Megan Lloyd This is a very interesting book (with excellent illustrations) that introduces young children to various falcons living in the United States, some of their remarkable abilities and the story of how some scientists were successful in re-introducing the peregrine falcon in the Eastern United States after they nearly became extinct because of an insect spray called DDT which was overused earlier in the twentieth century. Read more about Falcons Nest on Skyscrapers
Sunshine Makes the Seasons Author(s): Franklyn M. BranleyIllustrator(s): Michael Rex "Sunshine warms the earth. If the sun stopped shining, the earth would get colder and colder..." It is important for children to consider the importance of the sun in our lives. In Sunshine Makes the Seasons, children are introduced to the sun's role and in particular how the seasons change because of the earth's rotation around the sun and the tilt of the earth. Read more about Sunshine Makes the Seasons
What Makes a Magnet? Author(s): Franklyn M. BranleyIllustrator(s): True Kelley What Makes a Magnet? constitutes a fairly substantial introduction to magnets for children approximately ages 5 to 9. They are invited to do a little discovery for themselves by doing some "fishing" with a magnet in a box of miscellaneous objects and see what things the magnet will pick up. The book goes on to explain that magnets pick up, not everything made of metal, but objects which contain iron in particular. Read more about What Makes a Magnet?
The Story of the Pony Express Author(s): R. Conrad Stein Although I expect that this series was designed for mid-grade school, my younger children have still found it to be very interesting for read-alouds. The story of the Pony Express tends to be one of rather high interest for young children, but one that is given very brief mention in most history textbooks. I found it very interesting to discover that the Pony Express only ran for a year and a half, how it was affected by the California Gold Rush and the Civil War and how it paved the way for running of telegraph lines coast to coast which made the service obsolete. Read more about The Story of the Pony Express
Geography Songs We love Geography Songs! My girls have been able to memorize quite a bit by these songs and they can easily apply these to maps at a very young age. They love to sing so they are very interested in doing geography. Read more about Geography Songs
The Children's Book of America Author(s): William BennettIllustrator(s): Michael Hague Another great collection compiled by William Bennett which includes beautifully illustrated tales and poems such as: Father Junipero Serra, the story of the First Thanksgiving, Paul Bunyan, the Story of the Star Spangled Banner, an Indian legend, and patriotic songs and poems. This is one of the books that my children ask for over and over – probably because of the wonderful illustrations, interesting content and great variety of stories. Read more about The Children's Book of America
Linnea in Monet's Garden Author(s): Christian Bjork This book is a clever way to introduce children to the works and life of Claude Monet and help them to start appreciating the works of the Impressionists. "Linnea" is a little girl with a love for art and flowers who travels with her friend and neighbor Mr. Bloom (a retired gardener) to France to visit the restored estate of Claude Monet and the museums displaying his art. Besides the illustrations of this story, there are reproductions of some of Monet's paintings, old photographs of him and his family, and photographs of what his estate looks like today. Read more about Linnea in Monet's Garden
The Mass: Explained to Children Author(s): Maria Montessori This book explains the meaning of the Mass, the significance of its parts and why it should be celebrated with such reverence. I was especially impressed with how the author portrays the sacredness of the Mass in ways that are meaningful to children. You and your children will learn about the sacred vessels and vestments, the liturgical colors and seasons, the meaning behind the various prayers and actions, etc. Read more about The Mass: Explained to Children
The Story About Ping Author(s): Marjorie FlackKurt Wiese This charming, classic children's story tells of Ping, a young duck who lives on a boat in the Yangtzee River in China. He runs away from the boat and his family in order to avoid a spanking for returning late to the boat. He has some interesting adventures and sees many aspects of life on the Yangtzee River, but discovers that it's much happier to face the consequences in order to be back at home with his family. This is a well-loved book in our family – particularly in the preschool set. The illustrations are beautiful, the story simple and meaningful and the lessons timeless. Read more about The Story About Ping
