SEEDS! Good Books about Plant Life Cycles for Kindergarten Level Readers

The wonder of Spring!

The earth warms and plants come back to life. Roots and tops emerge like magic from little seeds!

To open up the wonder of life cycles and seeds we've pulled together this list of the Easiest Non-Fiction Practice Readers: books at the Kindergarten reading level. 

**all ratings from GoodReads

BEANS!
(Plants: Life Cycles)
by Gail Saunders-Smith, PhD

Large text and simple sentences help newer readers explore the natural world. This book takes children from Burpee seed packet to planting, flowering, picking, and snapping.

I like the format of this book. It uses very simple phrases --no capitalization -- along with suitable photographs.

Table of Contents
Bean Seeds
Planting Beans
Bean Pods

Words to Know
Read More
Internet Sites
Index/Word List

sample text

beans in a packet
beans in a seed
beans in a hole
beans in a garden
beans in a blossom
beans in a pod
beans in a basket

Reading Information
Word Count: 36
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader:  0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 11375
Lexile: NP

WATCH CORN GROW
(Watch Plants Grow!)
by Kristen Rajczak

Photographs and simple sentences show corn and corn silk and give children corny facts.

 
Word Count: 52
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reader:  0.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 141538
Lexile: 380L

Available in Spanish
-- Como Crece El Maiz! 

SEEDS!
(Nature Walk)
by Rebecca Stromstad Glaser

Ironic that this is the only book on this list that is Common Core since it is nearly impossible to locate at a reasonable price.

Check your library.  The publisher describes it thusly:  "Describing several examples of seeds, this photo-illustrated nature walk guide shows very young readers how to identify seeds and tells how the seeds spread. Includes photo glossary and quiz."

Common Core Suggested
Word Count: 106
Page Count:  24
Accelerated Reader: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 154134

WATCH APPLE TREES GROW
(Watch Plants Grow!)
by Mary Ann Huffman

Children will read about the life cycle of apple trees and the importance of bees.

Word Count: 86
Page Count:  24
Accelerated Reader: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 141537
Lexile: 380L
Available in Spanish
-- Mira Como Crece El Manzano!  

WATCH GRASS GROWS
(Watch Plants Grow!)
by Kristen Rajczak

Children think they know a lot about grass, but in this book they will discover that there are many different types of grass, some of which are very tall.

Word Count: 54
Page Count:  24
Accelerated Reader: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 141539
Lexile: 380L
Available in Spanish
-- Mira Como Crece El Cesped!

WATCH PEAS GROWS
(Watch Plants Grow!)
by Therese M. Shea

Children will read about the life cycle of peas and will probably be surprised by their pretty flowers.

Word Count: 78
Page Count:  24
Accelerated Reader: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 141540
Lexile: 380L
Available in Spanish
-- Mira Como Crecen Los Guisantes!

WATCH PINE TREES GROWS
(Watch Plants Grow!)
by Therese M. Shea

Children will read about how useful pine tree are and how those big trees start off as tiny seeds.

Word Count: 64
Page Count:  24
Accelerated Reader: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 141541
Lexile: 380L
Available in Spanish
-- Mira Como Crecen Los Pinos!

WATCH TULIPS GROWS
(Watch Plants Grow!)
by Kristen Rajczak

Children will read about how beautiful tulips grow from bulbs.

Word Count: 57
Page Count:  24
Accelerated Reader: 0.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 141542
Lexile: 380L
Available in Spanish
-- Mira Como Crecen Los Tulipanes!

For Fiction that would compliment these books see  SPRING! books for Kindergarten level readers

compiled by Pam
updated March 2014

ALLERGY Books for Readers at the Third Grade Level

Many children have allergies these days, or have friends with allergies.  The following books will give them a opportunity to discover what allergies are all about. 

What's up with Paulina? 
Medikidz Explain Food Allergies
by Kim Chilman-blair

This book uses a planet model to explain how allergies work.  The Medikidz take Paulina on a tour that explains why Paulina's body reacts like it does when she accidentally eats peanuts.

The immune system and various reactions are discussed in a kid-friendly manner. 

Reading Information:
Word Count: 2,380
Page Count:  40
Accelerated Reader:  3.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 135194
affordable paperback here

Aneil Has a Food Allergy
by Jillian Powell
Gareth Boden (Illustrator)

In this book Aneil describes what it's like to have food allergies.  And children will learn what sorts of things can trigger a reaction, and how they can check foods before they or their allergic friend eats them.  

Word Count:   825
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reader: 3.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 85345


compiled by Pam


You might also like:  Allergy books for 2nd Graders

ALLERGY Books for Readers at the 2nd Grade Level

I know my children were curious about allergies when they were younger.  Why, after all, was I allergic to peanuts, and Dave to grass pollen.

Here's a little practice reader for Second Graders.

ALLERGIES
(Rookie Read-About Health)
by Sharon Gordon

Simple text describes the symptoms of allergies and some of the most common allergens.

I should note that our local library doesn't have a copy of this book so I wasn't able to review it, nor provide sample pages.

Reading Information:

Word Count: 258
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reader:  2.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 74706
Lexile: 320L

compiled by Pam


You might also like:  Allergy books for 3rd Graders

  

ALBERT EINSTEIN for 2nd Graders

It amazes me how even very young children have heard about Einstein and are interested in him.  This book by the Schaefers is a simple biography at the Second Grade reading level.  It uses simple text and pictures to give general information about this important scientist.

There is no Look-Inside feature, but most of Ms. Schaefers books feature short sentences, images and/or drawings, and a time line, with a glossary at the back of the book.  

ALBERT EINSTEIN
by Lola M. Schaefer and Wyatt S. Schaefer

Biography of the German-born scientist who made some of the most important discoveries in the field of physics.

Word Count: 189
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 70355

compiled by Pam

THAT'S DISGUSTING! series reading level information

If you've got kids that don't particularly like Fiction, try them out on non-fiction books like these from Connie Colwell Miller.  All are a short 32 pages, and have photos and facts that are bound to appeal boys as well as girls.

DISGUSTING FOODS

3.88 Stars from 16 GoodReaders

Boiled snails?  Roasted grasshoppers?  Kids will be introduced to a variety of different foods eaten around the world.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 389
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 112294
Lexile: 710L


DISGUSTING ANIMALS

3.91 avg rating — 11 ratings

From nasty smells, to spit and slime, these creatures survive by grossing others out

Word Count: 416
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level:  3.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 112292
Lexile: 690L


DISGUSTING JOBS

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 Stars from 9 GoodReaders

Whereas I thought DISGUSTING PLANTS was suitable for any age, this book might not be appropriate for sensitive younger readers.  I doubt they would find poop very offensive, but there are pictures of a dead rat and deer, and a mention of the fact that someone needs to clean up murder scenes. 

Table of Contents

DISGUSTING JOBS
--That's Disgusting!

SORT OF DISGUSTING
--Diaper Duty
--Bug Off! --Dog Days
--Toe Jam

PRETTY DISGUSTING
--Rotten Work
--Potty Time!
--Body Work
--Hog Wild

REALLY DISGUSTING
--Road Kill
--It's a Crime
--Dress the Dead
--Dirty Work

Glossary
Read More
Internet Sites
Index

Word Count: 394
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level:  3.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 112295
Lexile: 740L


DISGUSTING BUGS

Describes 10 disgusting bugs and what makes them gross. 

Word Count: 427
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level:  3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 112293
Lexile: 760L


DISGUSTING PLANTS

3.50 Stars from 4 GoodReaders

This is a short book that, truth be told, isn't very disgusting.  But don't tell kids.  It's fun to learn these factoids that open up the diversity of plant life on our fair planet.  Here's a sample of the type of TOC you'll find in these books.

Table of Contents

DISGUSTING PLANTS
--That's Disgusting!

SORT OF DISGUSTING
--Choking Hazard
--Murder in the Forest
--Slip and Slide
--What a Stink!

PRETTY DISGUSTING
--Fungi Food
--Broke the Mold
--Bug Juice
--Itchy Plant

REALLY DISGUSTING
--Bug Trap
--Poisonous Parsley
--Nature's Stink Bomb
--Gross and Green

Glossary
Read More
Internet Sites
Index

Word Count: 406
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level:  3.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 112297
Lexile: 710L


DISGUSTING PLACES

A far cry from the natural wonders of the world, these places are dirty, smelly, and some are just plain rotten.

Word Count: 482
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level:  3.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 112296
Lexile: 740L


compiled by GoodBooksforKids

TOILETS! for Third Graders, a reading level list

Toilets.  Now here's a topic that most children are fascinated with at some point in their lives.  But how do toilets work?  And how did we come to get them inside of our homes?  

The following books are non-fiction titles about Toilets... and sometimes other household items.  I pulled this list together because toilets can fit into a number of educational themes.  Science, obviously.  But also Needs versus Wants, and Sustainability.

As usual, we've divided the Big Topic List into sub-lists by reading grade level.  These books can be shared, of course, with youngsters of any age.  Please note that many of these can be had for mere pennies, plus shipping.  And I would hope, they would also be available at your local library.

Telephones, Televisions, and Toilets
by Melvin and Gilda Berger

This book provides simple explanations of how these 3 household items work. This is a great book to get children to think more about the technology that they probably take for granted.  In addition, it can be use as part of a Needs versus Wants discussion.  (Give me toilets first, please :)

Reading Resources:
Word Count:  1645
Page Count:  48
Accelerated Reading level: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz:  31027


Toilet Paper Before the Store
by Rachel Lynette
Dan McGeehan (Illustrator)

This book follows the life cycle of toilet paper and so can be worked into an ecology lesson.  It discusses how trees are turned into pulp, how paper is made and packaged, as well as how it makes it way to store shelves.

Expensive.  Shop around or get through Inter-library loan.

Reading Resources:
Word Count:  1582
Page Count:  32
Accelerated Reading level: 3.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz:  149566

Mars books at the Third Grade level

It's rather discouraging to look and see so few non-fiction practice readers about the planet Mars :(

The following books are at the 3rd Grade reading level. You can find our 2nd Grade reading list here. Like the earlier list, these books have neither reviews nor sample/excerpt pages. You should be able to find them at your library, or for cheap on the secondary market.

Mars
By Derek Zobel

Full-color images. The physical characteristics of the planet Mars are discussed.

Word Count: 323
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 3.0 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 135606

• Publisher: Blastoff! Readers (2010)
• ISBN-10: 1600146791

Mars
By Charnan Simon

This book contains information about Mars, including its relationship to the Sun and other planets, key characteristics, history, and other fun relevant facts.

Word Count: 591
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 3.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 146931
Lexile: 630L

• Publisher: Cherry Lake Pub. (2011)
• ISBN-10: 1610800826
• sample pages available
  

Mars
By Adele Richardson

Orbit, atmosphere, and surface features are covered.

Word Count: 550
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 3.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 84581
Lexile: 650L

• Publisher: First Facts Books (2005)
• ISBN-10: 0736836896

Mars
By Margaret J. Goldstein

Introduction to Mars, describing its place in the solar system, its physical characteristics, its movement in space, and other facts are discussed.

Word Count: 829
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 3.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 77016

• Publisher: Lerner Books (2008)
• ISBN-10: 1580133606
• sample pages available
  

The Red Planet
By Pearson Education
Fear, Sharon

This obscure book (not found at GoodReads at all) might be available at your library or ebay. (1 copy at amazon).

Word Count: 781
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 3.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 57887

• Publisher: CELEBRATION PRESS (2000)
• ISBN-10: 0673596214

Mars Books at the Second Grader level

With the landing of the Mars probe there is likely going to be increased interests in this mysterious planet.

The following non-fiction books are at the 2nd Grade reading level. (One exception- an obscure 1st Grade book at the bottom of this post.) Most do not have reviews nor sample/excerpt pages; but where there are some we have included that information. (Goodreads results updated August 2012)

Mars
(Pebble Plus: Exploring the Galaxy)
by Thomas K. Adamson

Simple text and photographs give a basic description of the planet Mars.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 156
Page Count:
Accelerated Reading level: 2.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 70347
Lexile: 400L

• Publisher: Capstone Press (2007)
• ISBN-10: 1429607378

Marte (Spanish version)
(Mars)
by Thomas K. Adamson
(Pebble Plus: Exploring The Galaxy (Bilingual))

The Spanish version of Adamson's book.



Mars: The Red Planet
(Our Solar System)
by Lincoln James

Many scientists think Mars was once covered with water, just like Earth. Was Mars once home to living creatures as well? Will people one day live on Mars? Scientists are keeping a close eye on Mars in the hope of answering these questions. Open up Mars: The Red Planet to find out more about one of the solar system's most interesting locations

Word Count: 256
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 138895

• Publisher: Gareth Stevens Publishing (2010)
• ISBN-10: 1433938251

Mars
(Scholastic News)
by Melanie Chrismer

GoodReads rating – 5 Stars – from 7 reviewers

Describes Mars, the fourth planet closest to the sun in our solar system, discusses how astronomers are studying it, and compares it to Earth.

Features:
- Includes vocabulary word hunt with pronunciations, glossary, and index
- Labeled diagrams and timelines
- Full-color photographs
- Dasy-to-read fonts
- Web sites for further research and information
- Updated art of solar system shows 8 planets and their orbits instead of 9
- Updated indexes

Word Count: 325
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 102748

• Publisher: Children's Press (2008)
• ISBN-10: 0531147622
• sample pages available
  

Mars
(My First Look at Planets)
by Teresa Wimmer

Discusses (briefly) atmosphere and geography.

Word Count: 530
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 116224

• Publisher: Creative Educ (2007)
• ISBN-10: 1583415181

Mars: The Red Planet
by Greg Roza
(Journeys)

Check at your library for this one. will probably be hard to track down. what Mars is and if there is water or life on Mars.

Word Count: 288
Page Count: 16
Accelerated Reading level: 2.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 52232

• Publisher: Rosen Classroom (2005)
• ISBN-10: 1404254269

--------------------

Note: We found one book at the first grade level. We did not make a list for it because we couldn't find a book image, or even a link on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. We're including it here in case you library happens to carry it.

Mars
by Andrea Shaw
This book explains where Mars is, its size, and what it is made of.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 146
Accelerated Reading Level: 1.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 80021


Mars Books at the 3rd Grade level can be found here.

Sally Ride books for Second Graders

We've found two books at the 2nd Grade level. Unless you're a classroom instructors we suggest you track these books down at the library. While informative, the material probably won't keep children's attention over repeated readings.

American Heroes
Set C (Phonic Readers)
by Jo Albee

This Phonic Reader won't be what most people are looking for, but we're including it in case your library has it. The emphasis is phonics more than history.

Word Count: 217
Page Count: 16
Accelerated Reading level: 2.2 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 72092

• Publisher: Compass Point Books (2003)
• ISBN-10: 075650502X

Sally Ride
(Scholastic News Nonfiction Readers: Biographies)
by Catherine Nichols

A nice beginners book. The young reader will learn about satellites, robotic arms, and zero gravity.



Features
• Includes vocabulary word hunt with pronunciations, glossary, and index
• Labeled diagrams and timelines
• Beautiful, full-color photographs
• Simple interior design and easy-to-read fonts
• Websites for more information
• Vocabulary preview and review pages plus back-matter pages that invite readers to think further on the study topics

Word Count: 277
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.7 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 102902
Lexile: 390L

• Publisher: Children's Press (2005)
• ISBN-10: 0516249428

compiled by iPam

Camouflage 5 Easiest Practice ReadersBooks for Kindergartner & First Graders

Here are the 5 easiest practice readers about camouflage. There wasn't a great deal of information about these books, and to be truthful, this isn't selection of books that we would suggest you purchase -- unless you want to stock your classroom with easy-readers to support your classroom lessons.

Instead, these are books which we suggest you track down at the library.

How Animals Hide
by Brian Birchall

This obscure book has just a generic description. Since it's a pre-primer it might be looking for at the library.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 98
Page Count: 12
Accelerated Reading level: 0.8 / points: 0.5
AR Quiz: 44879

• Publisher: Wright Group,U.S. (1996)
• ISBN-10: 0780245806
• find it at the library, or used
  

Can You Find Us?
(We Can Read about Nature)
by Anita Holmes

Can You Find Us? helps children learn about camouflage and lets them look for small animals hidden in their surroundings. A few sentences per page accompany vivid, close-up, captioned photos

Reading Information:
Word Count: 215
Page Count: 32
Accelerated Reading level: 1.3 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 47674

• Publisher: Benchmark Books (2000)
• ISBN-10: 0761411089
• find it at the library, or used
  

Find The Wild Animal
(Welcome Books: Hide and Seek)
by Cate Foley

Animals are easy to spot, but this book with simple sentences gets the idea of camouflage across to young readers

Chapter headings
Animals with Gray Fur
A Crocodile
Animals with Spots
A Hyena

New Words
To Find Out More
Index
About the Author

Reading Information:
Word Count: 108
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 1.4 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 46349

• Publisher: Children's Press (2000)
• ISBN-10: 0516230239
• sample pages available
  

Who's Hiding Here?
by Yoshi

Poorly rhyming text accompanies wonderful images of camouflaged animals in a format where die-cut pages reveal the animals hiding throughout the book.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 209
Page Count: 36
Accelerated Reading level: 1.5 / points: 0.5
AR Quiz: 58978

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's (1991)
• ISBN-10: 0887080413

How Animals Hide
(Our Animal World)
by Karen Latchana Kenney

Describes how different animals hide from other animals by looking like their background, changing their physical appearance, and by altering their movement.

Reading Information:
Word Count: 163
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 1.8 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 146201

• Publisher: Amicus (September 2011)
• ISBN-10: 1607531437

Pam T
Somewhere in the X-burbs

The 4 Easiest Books about Earthquakes! Books @ Second Grade level

Here's our list of THE 4 easiest non-fiction books about Earthquakes. Some of these books are very expensive so you might want to track them down at the library. Others are available (as of the date of this post) for Amazon.com's 4-for-3 offer.


Earthquakes
by Mari C. Schuh

This pricey book describes earthquakes, how they occur, and the damage they cause.

Word Count: 170
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.1 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 130466
Lexile: 350L

• Publisher: Pebble Plus (September 2009)
• ISBN-10: 1429634367

Terremotos/Earthquakes

Same as above except in Spanish, and possibly English as well. Cannot judge is this books description is reliable.

• Publisher: Capstone Press; Bilingual edition (August 1, 2010)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 1429653582

Facts About Earthquakes
by David E. Kegley

Check. This book looks to be eligible for Amazon's 4-for-3 promotion.

This book explains what conditions cause an earthquake to happen and what the results can be.

Word Count: 265
Page Count: 16
Accelerated Reading level: 2.5 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 42468

• Publisher: Rosen Publishing Group (2000)
• ISBN-10: 0823981525

Earthquakes
by Jennifer A. Dussling

Check. This book looks to be eligible for Amazon's 4-for-3 promotion.

On March 27, 1964, a massive earthquake ripped through Anchorage, Alaska, destroying the community. With bright, graphic art and actual photos of earthquake devastation, this book explains all about how and why this terrifying natural phenomenon occurs.

Word Count: 819
Page Count: 48
Accelerated Reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 83130

• Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (2004)
• ISBN-10: 044843203X

Earthquakes!
by Renée Gray-Wilburn

Check. This book looks to be eligible for Amazon's 4-for-3 promotion.

Graphic-novel format, text and illustrations explain how earthquakes happen, how their strength is measured, and how to stay safe during one.

Word Count: 453
Page Count: 24
Accelerated Reading level: 2.9 / points: 0.5
AR quiz: 148891

• Publisher: Capstone Press (2012)
• ISBN-10: 1429679506

compiled by Pam T