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livingbooks

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

August 5, 2025 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Teaching American history living books brings the past to life in a way that dry textbooks never can.

Also, you’ll love my free Native American Unit Study for Kids Who Love Hands-on Learning.

Rather than memorizing dates and facts, children encounter real people, gripping stories, and moral dilemmas.

By grounding your American history studies in living books, your homeschool will foster curiosity, empathy, and a lasting love of history.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Whether you choose to go in chronological order or follow your child’s interests, these titles can anchor your year in story-rich exploration.

Below I’m guiding you through the major periods of American history with recommended living books for each.

Many of these books are perfect for reading aloud or independent reading in upper elementary through high school.

Then I’m sharing a mini woven basket craft that you can make with just a few supplies as a nod to the Penobscot Indians. They were in the region where The Sign of The Beaver was set in Maine

5 PENOBSCOT INDIANS FACTS

  1. Penobscot comes from Panawahpskek, which means “the place where the rocks open out.” This was the name of an important Penobscot village.
  2. Historically, Penobscot men were the ones that hunted and waged war, while women farmed, cooked, and cared for children. Both genders took part in storytelling, art, music, and traditional medicine. While chiefs were traditionally male,  in modern tribes, women can now also be chief.
  3. The Penobscot people sustained themselves by fishing in the Penobscot River, hunting deer and moose, cultivating corn and beans, gathering berries, and producing maple syrup from tree sap.
  4. The Penobscot were part of the Wabanaki Confederacy, which was formed to protect against attack by the Iroquois, and also included the Algonquian peoples the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi’kmaq, and Passamaquoddy.
  5. They lived in cone-shaped huts, and teepees which they moved to different locations during the different seasons.
Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

A favorite resource of mine for gathering wonderful living books is Beautiful Feet Books, from gorgeous picture books to riveting chapter books.

AMERICAN HISTORY LIVING BOOKS

Pre-Colonial and Native American Cultures (before 1492)

  • The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
  • Children of the Longhouse by Joseph Bruchac
  • If You Lived With the Iroquois by Ellen Levine
  • Pocahontas by Ingri D’ulaire

Age of Exploration and Colonization (1492–1763)

  • Pocahontas and the Strangers by Clyde Robert Bulla
  • Blood on the River: James Town 1607 by Elisa Carbone
  • The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
  • The Sign of The Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

American Revolution (1763–1789)

  • Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
  • George Washington’s World by Genevieve Foster
  • Phoebe the Spy by Judith Griffin

The Early Republic and Westward Expansion (1789–1850)

  • Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
  • Bound for Oregon by Jean Van Leeuwen
  • Daniel Boone: The Opening of the Wilderness by John Mason Brown

Civil War Era (1850–1877)

  • Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
  • Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling
  • Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco

Reconstruction and the Gilded Age (1877–1900)

  • Dragon’s Gate by Laurence Yep
  • Locomotive by Brian Floca

Progressive Era and World War I (1900–1920)

  • The War to End All Wars: World War I by Russell Freedman
  • Lyddie by Katherine Paterson
  • The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman

The Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression (1920–1939)

  • Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
  • Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
  • Bright April by Marguerite de Angeli
  • Sweet Home Alaska

World War II (1939–1945)

  • The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
  • Number the Stars by Lois Lowry  
  • Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

Post-War America and the Cold War (1945–1980s)

  • The Watsons Go to Birmingham
  • Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
  • Red Scarf Girl by Ji-li Jiang

Modern America (1990s–Present)

  • Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
  • We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson
  • March by John Lewis

In addition to beautiful American history living books, hands-on activities turn a simple book into a study whether it’s a mini unit or you decide to dig deeper.

MORE AMERICAN HISTORY RESOURCES

  • Explore The Best American History Gifts For Kids And Educators
  • How to Create a Creditworthy American History Course (& resources)
  • How to Make American History Silhouette Puzzles With Kids
  • Free American History Lapbook The Old West Through the Life of Wyatt Earp
  • American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study
  • 18 American History Board Games Which Brings History to Life
  • How to Teach With an Easy DIY American History Timeline
  • 4 Shortcuts to Teach Hands-on American History in Half the Time

One thing the Penobscot Indians were known for was their basket weaving.

The baskets were functional but they also used different colored materials like barks and glasses that created beautiful patterns.

PAPER BAG BASKET WEAVING

Of course, I thought a simple basket weaving craft would be perfect to go along with this book and not only make a cute craft but work on fine motor skills at the same time.

You will need:

  • 3 brown paper bags
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Cut the top half the bag off, fold it over in half and press a firm crease all the way around.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Continue folding and creasing until the width is roughly 1”.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Cut one of the loops.

Glue between each layer, this gives you a sturdy handle for the basket, set aside for now.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Open up the second bag and cut 1” strips from the top to just the bottom edge of the bag.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Lay the bottom of the bag flat and spread out the strips.

Glue the handle inside the bag.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

The final step before weaving is to take the third bag and cut 1” strips from it, you will want at least 8.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

When opened they are one big loop, cut on just one end to make a long strip.

Begin weaving your basket by going over and under each of the cut strips of the main bag, raising the sides as you go, secure with glue at the start and end.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Start your next strip in a different corner each time to make it sturdier.

Repeat these 3 to 4 times around the basket.

Cut the strips so they are 1” above where you stop, fold each one over whatever side it ends on and glue it in place to finish the edge of the basket.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

Allow it to dry.

Beautiful American History Living Books & Sign Of The Beaver Craft

While your basket won’t hold too much weight you can put a few light things in it like flowers or leaves.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities, History Resources Tagged With: book lists, books, hands on history, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, history, homeschool, livingbooks

100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)

December 27, 2024 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have books for kids from all 50 states. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.

Book lists are a great resource for beginning a homeschool unit study.

Also, this list is great for helping kids learn the geography of the 50 states because they engage children with both visual and textual learning.

Too, they revive learning when you feel the homeschool doldrums, or to use them for a geography unit study when you want to move away from boring textbooks.

And books, especially picture books can have colorful illustrations and maps of the state.

100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)

Pictures help children cement information about the state.

In addition, state specific books will highlight landmarks, major cities and sometimes famous people.

Additionally, some books are living books which presents facts about the state in a narrative or story form.

Rather than dry reference books, many of the books are about persons who lived in specific states or about events that happened in certain states.

Also, look at more books about the United States.

  • The Benefits Of Using Games That Teach Geography | Review Of Scrambled States
  • Professor Noggin’s Geography of The United States Trivia Card Game
  • American History Game Fun U.S. President Go Fish Unit Study
  • 18 American History Board Games Which Brings History to Life

Today, I rounded up 100 best books for kids from all 50 states.

BOOKS FROM ALL 50 STATES FOR KIDS

Alabama

My Name Is America: The Journal Of Biddy Owens, Birmingham, Alabama, 1948
Who Was Rosa Parks? (Who Was? series)

Alaska

The Adventures of Balto: The Untold Story of Alaska’s Famous Iditarod Sled Dog
Sweet Home Alaska

Arizona

Wright on Time, Book 1: Arizona
Arizona (Lucky Luke)

BOOKS ABOUT THE 50 STATES 

Arkansas

Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of Arkansas
The Fifth Rule

California

By the Great Horn Spoon!
What Was the Gold Rush? (What Was? series)

Colorado

Down the Colorado: John Wesley Powell, the One-Armed Explorer
In the Heart of the Rockies: An Adventure on the Colorado River

Connecticut

The Moffats
The Forgotten Flag: Revolutionary Struggle in Connecticut Paperback

Delaware

The Last of the Mohicans
Dear America: A Light in the Storm

Florida

Because of Winn-Dixie
Defeat of the Ghost Riders (Trailblazer Books)

Georgia

My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Diary of Carrie Berry A Confederate Girl

Hawaii

Shipwrecked!: The True Adventures of a Japanese Boy
What Was Pearl Harbor? (What Was? series)

Idaho

West to a Land of Plenty: The Diary of Teresa Angelino Viscardi, New York to Idaho Territory
High Wind to Idaho

Illinois

DK Biography: Abraham Lincoln
What Was the Great Chicago Fire? (What Was? series)

Indiana

The Bears of Blue River
Oliver’s Travels: An Indiana Adventure

Iowa

Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Iowa Story
Searching for Anne Frank: Letters from Amsterdam to Iowa

Kansas

Prairie Skies: Cabin in the Snow
Moon Over Manifest

Kentucky

Daniel Boone: Young Hunter and Tracker (Childhood of Famous Americans)
Abandoned on the Wild Frontier (Trailblazer Books)

Louisiana

Lorenzo And the Turncoat
Down in Louisiana

Maine

The Sign of the Beaver
Lost on a Mountain in Maine

Maryland

Goliath: Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire
Listen for the Whippoorwill (Trailblazer Books)

Massachusetts

Three Young Pilgrims
What Was the Boston Tea Party? (What Was? series)

Michigan

Brothers of the Heart: A Story of the Old Northwest
Who Was Henry Ford? (Who Was? series)

Minnesota

Farmer Boy Goes West (Little House, Big Adventure)
Wright on Time, Book 5: Minnesota

Mississippi

The Mystery on the Mighty Mississippi (Real Kids, Real Places)
Mississippi Morning

Missouri

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
What Was the Lewis and Clark Expedition? (What Was? series)

Montana

First Dog: Unleashed in the Montana Capitol
Magpie Treasures

Nebraska

Night of the Twisters
My Face to the Wind: the Diary of Sarah Jane Price, a Prairie Teacher, Broken Bow, Nebraska 1881 (Dear America Series)

Nevada

The Last Stubborn Buffalo in Nevada
The Mystery at Area 51 (Real Kids Real Places)

And if you love learning geography through literature, look at another one of my favorites from Beautiful Feet books which is Geography through Literature.

New Hampshire

The Trouble with Jeremy Chance
A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl’s Journal, 1830-32

New Jersey

The Fighting Ground
Who Was Thomas Alva Edison? (Who Was? series)

New Mexico

The Day It Snowed Tortillas
Loco Dog in the Santa Fe Rail Yard (Historical New Mexico for Children)

New York

Roundup of the Street Rovers (Trailblazer Books)
Who Was Jackie Robinson? (Who Was? series)

North Carolina

The Mystery of the Lost Colony (Real Kids! Real Places!)
The Mystery of Biltmore House (Real Kids Real Places)

North Dakota

The Long Winter (Little House)
Gift Horse: A Lakota Story

Ohio

The Boy Who Saved Cleveland
Who Was Neil Armstrong? (Who Was? series)

From Textbook to Living Book for Homeschool Geography

Oklahoma

Beautiful Land: A Story of the Oklahoma Land Rush
Oklahoma Prairie Tales: Mostly True Stories My Grandma Told Me

Oregon

Attack in the Rye Grass: Marcus and Narcissa Whitman (Trailblazer Books)
Attack in the Rye Grass (Trailblazer Books)

Pennsylvania

The Madcap Mystery of the Missing Liberty Bell
What Was the Battle of Gettysburg? (What Was? series)

Rhode Island

The Art of Keeping Cool (Aladdin Historical Fiction)
The World in One Square Mile: Central Falls

South Carolina

Sylvia and Miz Lula Maye
The Mystery at Fort Sumter (Real Kids Real Places)

South Dakota

Wright on Time: South Dakota
The Mystery at Mount Rushmore (Real Kids Real Places)

Tennessee

Flaming Arrows (Odyssey Classics)
The Perilous Road (Odyssey Classics (Odyssey Classics)

Texas

A Line in the Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence (Dear America Series)
What Was the Alamo? (What Was? series)

Utah

The Great Brain
Wright on Time, Book 2: Utah

Vermont

Aaron and the Green Mountain Boys
John and Tom (Vermont Folklife Center Children’s Book Series)

Virginia

With Lee in Virginia
The Mystery at Mount Vernon (Real Kids Real Places)

Washington

The Seattle Puzzle (The Boxcar Children Mysteries)
Exiled to the Red River (Trailblazer Books)

West Virginia

Way Down Deep
October Sky

Wisconsin

Little House in the Big Woods
Caddie Woodlawn

Wyoming

Lost Mines and Buried Treasures of Old Wyoming
Wright on Time, Book 3: Wyoming

100 BEST Books for Kids from all 50 States (Easy Geography)

Also, you’ll love these other books:

  • 8 World War II Historical Fiction Books for Middle School
  • 5 Steps to Choosing Geography Living Books Your Children Will Love
  • 5 BEST Books to Create an Around the World Unit Study (and Hands-on Activities)

This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

1 CommentFiled Under: Geography Tagged With: book lists, books, geography, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschoolanguagearts, homeschoolgeography, homeschoolreading, livingbooks

16 Beautiful Picture Science Books for Kindergarteners

June 16, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Let’s fill up those bookshelves with quality beautiful picture science books for kindergarteners. Also, grab my other tips, ideas, and crafts for kindergarten on my page Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum.

You want to choose books that will last and be treasured for years to come as reference books, read aloud, and even inspiration for art.

These books should be a combination of nonfiction and fiction, biographies, nature study, and living books.

16 Beautiful Picture Science Books for Kindergarteners

And I also like to make sure some have real life images as well as beautiful illustrations.

But for the most part you want to selectively choose books that follow a few guidelines to make sure that you are getting 3 things.

They are the most bang for your buck-quality and content, books that will last for more than one quick lesson, and most important books that will engage and teach your kids in a fun way.

Gail Gibbons is always a go to, as are Julia Rothmans Anatomy series, The Big Book of series, as well as the Over and Under books. 

They create a lovely library of reference and read aloud books which will give your child more science knowledge than daily worksheets will.

I have 5 tips to help you choose your books and then an expansive list of 16 of my favorite picture science books for Kindergarteners.

5 Tips for Choosing Picture Science Books For Kindergarteners

  1. Choose beautifully illustrated oversized picture books that have small bits of information. Most children of this age only will be able to sit for small amounts of time and this is a great way to present the information by reading a bit while you look at the images. Eye catching illustrations will invite questions, investigation, and interest.
  2. Try to choose books that will have use far beyond the kindergarten years,books like the Nature Anatomy series and The Big Book of series have value that will last in my opinion at least through middle school for some reference and definitely as art inspiration when painting, putting together dioramas and more.
  3. Gather a variety to cover all the sciences in the early years. There are typically 3 types of science covered in kindergarten- physical, earth/space, and life science. Choose interesting books for each topic and theme. Concentrate more heavily on your child’s favorites like dinosaurs or bees.
  4. Select a mix of nonfiction, wordless picture books, read aloud, as well as books your child can read independently. Give them variety and make them accessible to your child, teaching them to care for their books.
  5. There are plenty of books out there now about the people of science-Ada Twist Scientist, Temple Grandin, and Eugenie Clark to name a few, don’t forget to choose some of these as well to inspire your child and highlight the contributions they made.
16 Beautiful Picture Science Books for Kindergarteners

Next, look at some kindergarten science activities to pair with the books.

Kindergarten Science Activities

  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments For Kindergarten
  • Homeschool Kindergarten Life Science – Hands-on Fun Nature Tree Study
  • Rainforest Science Activities For Kindergarten Amazing and Fun Living Terrarium
  • 18 Kindergarten Science Homeschool Curriculum For Active Kids
  • Rock Activities For Kindergarten And Fun Edible Rock Cycle
  • 40 Awesome Earth Science Movies for Kindergarten
  • Growing a Seed Activity For Kindergarten Science Kids Activity
  • Homeschool Science Ideas for K – 2

16 Beautiful Picture Science Books for Kindergarteners

 I have done my best to give you a variety of topics, styles, and prices to help you create a wonderful science library made up of beautiful picture science books. Let’s dig in!

The Big Book of Bugs (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of  Bugs as well as any others in the series- Big Book of Blooms, Nature Art, Blue, Beasts, and Birds

A beautifully illustrated, informative book for children introducing them to bugs that creep, crawl, bite, fly, and more.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Botanicum

Part of: Welcome To The Museum (9 books) The 2016 offering from Big Picture Press's Welcome to the Museum series, Botanicum is a stunningly curated guide to plant life. With artwork from Katie Scott of Animalium fame, Botanicum gives readers the experience of a fascinating exhibition from the pages of a beautiful book. From perennials to bulbs to tropical exotica, Botanicum is a wonderful feast of botanical knowledge complete with superb cross sections of how plants work.

Bees: A Honeyed History

One part science, one part cultural history, and countless parts fascination, Bees: A Honeyed History is a picture book that celebrates the important role that these intriguing insects have played in our ecosystem throughout the ages, and today.“Goes beyond the scientific (anatomy, pollination, communication, etc.) to include the bee’s place in history and culture . . . Socha has created what is quite possibly the sweetest resource on honey bees around

Over and Under the Waves

Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there's a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle's length away—over and under the waves.

Worm Weather (Penguin Core Concepts)

Join in the rainy-day fun, as kids splash through the puddles, affecting another weather enthusiast, a nearby worm. An imaginative and playful story, readers will love seeing the worm delight in the weather just as much as the kids.

Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt: (Nature Book for Kids, Gardening and Vegetable Planting, Outdoor Nature Book)

Explore the secret realm beneath the dirt that brings the world of nature to life: Follow a young girl and her grandmother on a journey through the year planning, planting, and harvesting their garden—and learn about what's happening in the dirt to help make it all happen.

Curiositree: Natural World: A Visual Compendium of Wonders from Nature - Jacket unfolds into a huge wall poster!

Discover the interconnectedness of the natural world and learn why living things look and behave the way they do in a series of visually compelling information charts, maps, and cutaways, all illustrated in a nostalgic, vintage style. Packed with incredible facts about the natural world and the animals that populate it, the whole family will enjoy the full-page spreads grouped into the categories of habitats, species, and adaptations.

A Seed Is Sleepy: (Nature Books for Kids, Environmental Science for Kids)

Part of the incredible six-book Nature Books series from artist Sylvia Long and author Dianna Hutts Aston, A Seed is Sleepy introduces children to a fascinating array of seed and plant facts. Turn each page to explore the amazing world of these garden wonders through watercolor illustrations that bring to life nature landscapes filled with seeds, flowers, plants, leaves, and trees. A NATURE BOOK TO TREASURE: From tiny redwood seeds to giant coconut seeds, from bright red-orange mountain laurel seeds to pods of fluffy milkweed, curious kids will find a wealth of information and inspiration in this fascinating picture book.

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman Who Loved Reptiles

While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere--she even brought a crocodile to school!When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties--with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist

Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn't imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary―and they didn't think women should be scientists.

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder

How do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered inside this exploration of the science of snow, featuring photos of real snow crystals in all their beautiful diversity. Perfect for reading on winter days, this book by a nature photographer and a snow scientist will inspire wonder and curiosity about the marvels of snow. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included for aspiring young snow scientists!

Gravity Is a Mystery

What goes up must come down. Everybody knows that. But what is it that pulls everything from rocks to rockets toward the center of the earth? It’s gravity.

Nobody can say exactly what it is, but gravity is there, pulling on everything, all the time. With the help of an adventurous scientist and his fun-loving dog, you can read and find out about this mysterious force.

The Street Beneath My Feet

This double-sided foldout book takes you on a fascinating journey deep underground. One side of the foldout shows the ground beneath the city, whilst the reverse side shows the ground beneath the countryside. The underground scenes include tunnels and pipes, creatures' burrows, layers of rock and the planet’s molten core, and run seamlessly into the next. Mixing urban and rural settings, covering subjects such as geology, archaeology and natural history, The Street Beneath My Feet offers children the opportunity to explore their world through a detailed learning experience. This expansive concertina book opens out to an impressive 2.5 metres long, perfect for spreading out on the floor to pore over for hours.

Moon! Earth's Best Friend (Our Universe, 3)

Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock―she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.

The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the best-kept secrets of space

Space is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. The Mysteries of the Universe is a stunning space encyclopedia for young readers to explore, with
reference pages packed with fascinating information, little learners will be captivated as they journey through the vastness of the Universe. From planets and asteroids to black holes and galaxies, every page of this enthralling space book reveals the secrets behind more than 100 celestial objects, and will inspire  youngsters as they journey through the vastness of the Universe. Each celestial body is shown both photographically and illustrated, and children will love poring over the detailed close-up images.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Teach Kindergarten Tagged With: books, earth science, elementary science, homeschoolscience, kindergarten, life science, literature, livingbooks, science

6 Boy Approved Books Which Spark the Love of Reading

May 5, 2024 | 5 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have six boy approved books today. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips.

Not wanting my boys to be among the boys-who-hate-to-read statistics, it was a challenge in the beginning to keep my boys’ enjoying reading.

I had a LOT to learn about how boys learn.

Sharing these 6 boy approved books which spark the love of learning, I’m hoping that one or more of them will flame that ember to read in your boys.

3 Boy Mom Reading Tips

Now that I have lifelong adult son readers, I know you’ll benefit from these three simple, easy, and tried and true reading tips.

1. Quit thinking like female teachers.

I know, it sounds crazy because homeschool stats reveal that a majority of the teaching is done by moms.

It’s hard to not think like a woman when you are one.

Where am I going with this?

The point is we add to our son’s dislike for reading when we try to use the books we loved as a girl to spark a boy’s interest.

My boys didn’t connect with a lot of the books I loved as a girl.

When I started homeschooling, I felt like I had a diversified reading diet growing up, but it didn’t include a lot of topics boys liked.

6 Boy Approved Books Which SPARK the Love of Reading!! Sharing these 6 boy approved books which spark the love of learning, I'm hoping that one or more of them will flame that ember to read in your boys. CLICK here to look at this short but TRIED and TRUE List!!

Sure, some of the books were the same ones I loved like Where the Red Fern Grows and The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe.

But I had to expand what I thought were appropriate topics to read about.

2. The Hero or Heroine Matters.

Although boys love to get lost in a world of fiction too, relating to the hero matters.

It’s hard for boys who are struggling to read to relate to a sentimental girl.

At the time my first son was struggling with a love of reading, unless the girl was mischievous or a tomboy, it wasn’t easy for my boys to understand the sentiment.

Too, a lot of boys, including mine, develop slower.

Their maturity rate is different than girls.

They don’t necessarily see themselves in a place through the eyes of the character, so you have to be sure they do.

Instead of trying to read between the lines, my boys needed to understand the why of a point directly.

Finding a solution to the problem was more paramount than understanding exactly how a character felt.

A story line with male role models no matter the age was a good starting point in helping my sons identify with people who are like them.

3. Boys LOVE Pictures.

Boys are not ready to move away from pictures as fast as girls may be.

Realizing that significant fact, I was so grateful for the Great Illustrated Classics series.

True, some of the pictures are not like the comic books that boys love, but pictures are still pictures to boys.

The size of the print mattered to my first reader too.

The bigger the better in the beginning.

Until he felt comfortable and was hooked on reading, we just kept on reading most of the books from the Great Illustrated Classics series.

I never worried whether the books were abridged or unabridged until I hooked my reader.

Out of all the books I used for my boys to hook them on reading they narrowed down their favorites to these 6 choices to nurture a love for reading.

  1. Where the Red Fern Grows
  2. The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (Great Illustrated Classics)
  3. Invisible Man (Great Illustrated Classics)
  4. Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
  5. Shiloh
  6. Stone Fox

One or more of these books or series should give your boys a taste of boy approved books, but more important they’ll nurture a love of reading.

A book list doesn’t have to be long to work; the book list needs to be focused on what boys can relate to.

I’ll be sharing more book lists that have worked for us through the years.

Does your son have a favorite book or series that worked to fan that tiny ember to a raging love for reading?

6 Boy Approved Books Which SPARK the Love of Reading!! Sharing these 6 boy approved books which spark the love of learning, I'm hoping that one or more of them will flame that ember to read in your boys. CLICK here to look at this short but TRIED and TRUE List!!

You’ll love these other tips:

  • 6 Tricks for the Kid That’s NOT in Love with Reading!
  • How to Transition a Child From Reading to Literature
  • Teaching Homeschooled Boys How to Read – When to Panic!

5 CommentsFiled Under: Homeschool Boys, Homeschool Simply, Reading Lists, Teach Homeschool Language Arts, Teach the Rebel Homeschooler Tagged With: book lists, books, boys, homeschoolreading, livingbooks, reading, teens

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

March 28, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

If you are looking for engaging pond books for preschoolers who love pond animals, you have landed in the right place. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more tips and ideas! And my page Above & Below: Pond Unit Study, Hands-on Ideas, & Lapbook.

From fish to dragonflies there is so much to observe and learn about.

Preschoolers need a lot of fresh air, movement, and their attention span is about 6-12 minutes.

So, you want to make sure that every one of those minutes is filled with fun learning experiences.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

Getting out and seeing everything firsthand, looking at it closely and then reinforcing what they are seeing with engaging books is the best lesson you can give your preschooler.

You know me and you know that besides 8 great books I also have a few ideas for how to dive right into a pond study using real life experiences and fun items to explore the pond habitat.

Exploring The Pond With Preschoolers

I cannot recommend enough if you are doing a pond study that you find a local pond.

Go explore it, pack up a few books, some tools, and take a picnic lunch or snack along to make a day of it.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

You probably do most of these activities with your child when you’re near a pond anyway but here are some learning ideas.

  • Feed the ducks and try to identify a few species.
  • Catch and release minnows and tadpoles.
  • Observe turtles sunning themselves on the bank.
  • Look for telltale signs of fish life in the ripples.
  • Identify bugs with a colorful book or app.
  • Use binoculars to watch birds in the trees and flying above.
  • Bring pond water home and observe microorganisms in it with a microscope.
  • Listen for the croak of bullfrogs and try to spot one.
  • Watch dragonflies darting in and around the pond.
  • Compare the difference in the soil at the edge of the pond and that which is further away.
8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

Preschool Pond Tools

If you are headed to the pond to observe with a preschooler here are a few tools that will make the experience richer and more fun.

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals
  • Kids just love bug catching kits and they are a wonderful way to hold and observe insects you find around the pond for a bit.
  • A magnifying glass is handy for closer observation of bugs, grasses, minnows, and even soil at the pond’s edge.
  • You don’t need a top of the line expensive pair but I would skip the kids binoculars and invest in a decent one for nature walks, backyard birding and of course pond study.

Pond Animals to Study on Your Visit To The Pond

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

Depending on where you are there is a multitude of birds, fish, insects, reptiles, and mammals in and around the pond to learn about.

  • Ducks- And look at Make Way For Ducklings Fun Duck Pond Playdough Invitation to Play.
  • Fish- Make a Paint Splat Fishing Pond for art while you read about what makes the characteristics that make a fish a fish.
  • Salamanders
  • Dragonflies- Learn 8 Insect Fun Facts About Texas For Kids | Easy Dragonfly Craft
  • Frogs- Pretend to be frogs and teach your child to identify numbers with a Frog Lily Pad Hop.
  • Turtles
8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals
  • Pond Skaters
  • Herons
  • Alligators-Make Alligator Pie: Book and Recipe, cooking is always wonderful to include for preschoolers on up in any study.
  • Kingfishers
  • Snakes
  • Beavers- Once you return from your pond visit you can put together this cute little Pond Life for Kindergarten Activity Build a Fun Beaver Dam.
8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers Who Love Pond Animals

8 Engaging Pond Books for Preschoolers

Here are some wonderful living books for reading aloud and for preschoolers to pore over at home and while at the pond.

8 Pond Books for Preschoolers

Here are some wonderful living books for reading aloud and for preschoolers to pore over at home and while at the pond.

Over and Under the Pond:

In Over and Under the Pond, readers will discover the plants and animals that make up the rich, interconnected ecosystem of a mountain pond. Over the pond, the water is a mirror, reflecting the sky. But under the water is a hidden world of creatures—minnows darting, beavers diving, and tadpoles growing. These secrets and many others are waiting to be discovered over and under the pond in this sweet children’s book from Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal, the latest in their beloved series that offers kids a peek into hidden ecosystems.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

At the Pond

When the soft pink of the dawn sun starts peeking over the pond, a new day has begun for all the animals who live in it and around its watery edges. The friendly duck family, the mysterious water striders, and the busy beaver are a few of the many fascinating and familiar animals included in this glowing poetic tribute to the lively ecosystem of the pond.

Turtle Pond

What is it about turtles that fascinates us? Is it how they hide inside their patterned shells, their wizened faces, their slow determination?

In Turtle Pond, a child and his parents visit their local public garden throughout the year, observing the turtles as they play, dive, feed, bask, climb, hide and doze. James Gladstone’s lively prose poem reveals the pleasure and curiosity that come from spending time with the turtles. Karen Reczuch’s stunningly beautiful illustrations accurately portray these extraordinary creatures, both in and out of the water, surrounded by lush plants and the changing seasons beyond the greenhouse windows.

Have You Seen My Duckling?

In this classic and bestselling Caldecott Honor winner, a mother duck loses her duckling—and finds it, with the help of sharp-eyed young readers. 

Ducks in the Pond

The pond, normally filled with ducks, appears to be empty--and an empty pond opens the door for many questions. Where did all the ducks go? When ducks are not in the pond, what can they possibly be doing? Do they like to do the same activities that people like to do? Can they really be sleeping, shopping, or even eating pizza? Maybe they just flew away for the day.

So what happens when another animal is spotted swimming where the ducks used to swim? Can it really mean the ducks have left the pond forever? Will the ducks eventually make their way back?

In the Small, Small Pond

A child explores the wonders of the natural world in this rhyming, beautiful bright colored picture storybook about the lives of small animals and insects living around a freshwater pond.

What's in the Pond? (Hidden Life)

A fascinating picture book brings to life the creatures that live in and around a pond, from a water strider and a tadpole to a painted turtle and a red-winged blackbird and features informative text on each animal's characteristics and habits.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: books, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool preschool, livingbooks, ponds, preschool

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