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Treemendous Science! > Literature Connections—Treemendous Science!
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Literature Connections—Treemendous Science!

Pairing classroom instruction with fiction and nonfiction resources supports content comprehension, expands student creativity, and provides real-world context. These Literature Connections enhance the concepts explored in the Treemendous Science! activities. Note that the literature listed below for a given activity may also be found in the Enrich section of that activity.

  1. Level A
  2. Level B
  3. Level C

Level A (Kindergarten)

Activity
Engage: Picture a Tree   Babin, Claire. Gus Is a Tree. Enchanted Lion Books. 2009.  Follow along with Gus as his dreams turn him into a tree in the forest. Imagine along with him how a tree feels and interacts with its world. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-1592700783.
Engage: Picture a Tree Gerber, Carole. Winter Trees. Charlesbridge. 2009. Go on a walk through a forest covered in snow with a boy and his dog while they identify trees. You will find how to distinguish common trees with senses. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1580891691.
Engage: Picture a Tree   Winter, Jeanette. Wangari’s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa. Harcourt Children’s Books. 2008. Follow Wangari’s journey to plant trees and restore forests in her hometown, Kenya. A true story of Wangari Maathai, environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, will inspire your students to see change. Grades K–4. ISBN: 978-0152065454.
1: The Closer You Look   Dek, Maria. A Walk in the Forest. Princeton Architectural Press. 2017. Explore the natural world and discover what forest has to offer in this engaging book filled with watercolor illustrations and poetic texts. Grades PreK–1. ISBN: 978-1616895693.
1: The Closer You Look   Hoose, Phillip and Hannah Hoose. Hey, Little Ant. Tricycle Press. 1998. When a young boy encounters a seemingly insignificant ant, he is faced with a tough decision: To squish or not to squish? As this funny, rhyming tale recounts the boy’s destructive desires (to squish!) and the ant’s pleading perspective (not to squish!), the young boy finds out he might have more in common with the little ant than he’d originally imagined. Grades PreK–2. ISBN: 978-1883672546.
1: The Closer You Look

 

   Hopkins, H. Joseph. The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-loving Woman Changed a City Forever. Beach Lane Books. 2013. See how a little girl’s love for trees led her to make San Diego more green. Based on a true story, this picture-book-biography will plant inspiration in young readers. Grades K–5. ISBN: 978-1442414020.
1: The Closer You Look   Matheson, Christie. Tap the Magic Tree. Greenwillow Books. 2013. Through the life of an apple tree, find out how seasons magically change. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0062274458.
2: To Be a Tree   Burns, Diane. Trees, Leaves and Bark. Cooper Square Publishing Take Along Guides. 1995. This reference guide introduces young naturalists to trees, including identification information, educational activities, and fun facts that invite a close look at trees. Grades K–4. ISBN: 978-1559716284.
2: To Be a Tree Gibbons, Gail. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little Brown. 2002. This picture books holds all the basic information about trees that kids need to know. As a bonus, it provides a guide on how to make a tree identification book. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0316309035.
2: To Be a Tree Miller, Debbie S. Are Trees Alive? Walker Childrens. 2003. Learn about how trees live and grow from this poetic comparison of trees and humans. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0802788016.
2: To Be a Tree Salas, Laura Purdie. A Leaf Can Be…. Millbrook Press. 2014. Find out about the many roles leaves play in this poetic exploration of leaves throughout the year. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-0761362036.
3: Adopt a Tree   Aston, Dianna. A Seed Is Sleepy. Chronicle Books. 2014. Learn about the intricate and astonishing world of seeds through detailed descriptions of different seeds and their journeys. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-1452131474
3: Adopt a Tree Green, M.L. Underneath My Favorite Tree. PublishAmerica. 2008. Read along with this playful poem as Nadieya imagines all of her favorite things she would see underneath her beloved tree. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1604748581.
3: Adopt a Tree Hall, Kirsten. The Gold Leaf. Enchanted Lion Books. 2017. In the spring, among many shades of green, there is one gold leaf. Following the serial theft of this leaf, you will find nature’s wisdom. Grades PreK–3, ISBN: 978-1592702145.
3: Adopt a Tree Iverson, Diane. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications. 1999. Explore 27 of the major native North American trees, along with the food, shelter, and their importance to our heritage. Grades K–3, ISBN: 978-1883220938.
3: Adopt a Tree Locker, Thomas. Sky Tree: Seeing Science through Art. HarperCollins. 2001. Travel through the seasons and learn about the passage of time in nature in this beautifully illustrated book. Grades K–4. ISBN: 978-0064437509.
3: Adopt a Tree   Muth, Jon J. Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons. Scholastic Press. 2014. Join a bear named Koo and two human siblings as they challenge readers to stretch their minds with 26 haikus about the four seasons. Readers of all ages can enjoy not only the fun and frivolous haikus, but also the changing color palette of Muth’s watercolor art as it follows the seasonal transformations. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0545166683.
3: Adopt a Tree   Stein, David Ezra. Leaves. Putnam Juvenile. 2010. Use this book to explore the falling leaves along with a young bear cub. Grades PreK–1. ISBN: 978-0399254970.

 
3: Adopt a Tree   Stewart, Melissa. Under the Snow. Peachtree. 2009. Learn how snakes, salamanders, carp, beavers, and other animals spend their days during the winter months. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1561454938.
3: Adopt a Tree Udry, Janice May. A Tree is Nice. HarperCollins. 1987. This classic Caldecott Award–winning book teaches of the beauty of the everyday world and the many pleasures a tree provides. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-0060261559.

Level B (Grade 1)

Activity
Engage: Growing Up Green   Bulla, Clyde Robert. A Tree is a Plant. HarperCollins. 2002. This colorfully illustrated book guides students though the life cycle and growth of an apple tree in a step-by-step approach. Grades PreK–2. ISBN: 978-0439456142.
Engage: Growing Up Green   Gibbons, Gail. From Seed to Plant. Holiday House. 1991.  The mystery of how seeds are formed, travel, and grow into plants is revealed for young readers in this informative nonfiction book. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-0823410255.
Engage: Growing Up Green   Sayre, April Pulley. Trout Are Made of Trees. Charlesbridge. 2008. Try using this book to teach children about life cycles and the greater interconnectedness of nature. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1580891387.
1: Adopt a Tree Green, M.L. Underneath My Favorite Tree. PublishAmerica. 2008. Read along with this playful poem as Nadieya imagines all of her favorite things she would see underneath her beloved tree. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1604748581.
1: Adopt a Tree   Hall, Kirsten. The Gold Leaf. Enchanted Lion Books. 2017. In the spring, among many shades of green, there is one gold leaf. Following the serial theft of this leaf, you will find nature’s wisdom. Grade PreK–3. ISBN: 978-1592702145.
1: Adopt a Tree Iverson, Diane. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications. 1999. Explore 27 of the major native North American trees, along with the food, shelter, and their importance to our heritage. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-1883220938.
  1: Adopt a Tree Locker, Thomas. Sky Tree: Seeing Science through Art. HarperCollins. 2001. Travel through the seasons and learn about the passage of time in nature in this beautifully illustrated book. Grades K–4. ISBN: 978-0064437509.
1: Adopt a Tree Muth, Jon J. Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons. Scholastic Press. 2014. Join a bear named Koo and two human siblings as they challenge readers to stretch their minds with 26 haikus about the four seasons. Readers of all ages can enjoy not only the fun and frivolous haikus, but also the changing color palette of Muth’s watercolor art as it follows the seasonal transformations. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0545166683.
1: Adopt a Tree   Stewart, Melissa. Under the Snow. Peachtree. 2009. Learn how snakes, salamanders, carp, beavers, and other animals spend their days during the winter months. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1561454938.
1: Adopt a Tree Udry, Janice May. A Tree is Nice. HarperCollins. 1987.  This classic Caldecott Award–winning book teaches of the beauty of the everyday world and the many pleasures a tree provides. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-0060261559.
2: Signs of Fall Ehlert, Lois. Leaf Man. Harcourt. 2005. Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. No one’s quite sure where he is going, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0152053048.
2: Signs of Fall Florian, Douglas. Autumnblings. Greenwillow Books. 2003. This children’s book explores the colors, events, and emotions that the fall season brings, and it serves as a special treat for those of us who are not fortunate enough to witness the most dramatic effects of the changing seasons. Grades 1–5. ISBN: 978-0060092788.
2: Signs of Fall   Hawk, Fran. Count Down to Fall. Sylvan Dell Publishing. 2009. Reinforce counting and basic numeric expressions with a variety of trees and woodland animals as autumn changes take place. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1607180593.

 
2: Signs of Fall Sherrow, Victoria. Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane. Soundprints. 1994. As winter nears, students follow a little chipmunk trying to gather enough food for the long hibernation. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-1607276357.
3: Every Tree for Itself   Ehlert, Lois. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. HMH Books for Young Readers. 1991. This book examines the life of a sugar maple tree growing in the yard of a young child, who narrates the story. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0152661977.
3: Every Tree for Itself Kudlinski, Kathleen. How Plants Survive. Newbridge Educational Publishing. 2002. A plant’s life is not as easy as you might think. Plants compete with one another for sunshine, wage battles for water, and struggle to protect their own patch of soil. Their lives are a constant battle for survival. Grades 1–3. ISBN: 978-1582737089.  
4: Bursting Buds   Bernard, Robin. A Tree for All Seasons. National Geographic Society. 2001. This picture book records the growth of a maple tree over a period of time to illustrate what trees do and how the seasons change. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0792266747.
4: Bursting Buds   Glaser, Linda. It’s Spring!. National Geographic Society. 2010. Simple text and bold paper sculpture convey the animal life, plant life, weather, and clothing, as well as the colors and feelings, associated with the spring season. Grades PreK–2. ISBN: 978-0761313458. 

 

Level C (Grade 2)

Activity
Engage: Tree Sort Leavell, Chuck and Nicholas Cravotta. The Tree Farmer. VSP Books. 2010. A grandson confronts his grandfather, a tree farmer, about how he can grow trees with so much love and care, only to cut them down. But as they walk together through the trees, they discover the majesty of the forest and enjoy the life journey of each tree.  Grade 1–3. ISBN: 978-1893622166.
Engage: Tree Sort   Marshall, Pam. From Tree to Paper. Lerner Classroom. 2013. Follow the journey of a tree from planting to paperback in this fascinating children’s book. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-1467707978.
Engage: Tree Sort   Mora, Pat. Pablo’s Tree. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 1994. In addition to giving us wood, paper, food, and other products, trees are invaluable assets to our communities. This book embraces new traditions and values, as well as exhibiting family relations that are warm and heartfelt. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0027674019.
Engage: Tree Sort   Silverstein, Shel. The Giving Tree. Harper & Row (1964). This classic children’s story tells the tale of a tree who loves a little boy. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-0060256654.
1: Adopt a Tree Burnie, David. Tree (Eyewitness Books Series). DK Children. 2005. Here is an original and exciting look at the fascinating world of trees. Real-life photographs of bark, leaves, flowers, cones, and seedlings offer a unique view of trees, from their leafy boughs to their roots beneath the soil. Grades 3–7. ISBN: 978-0756610937.
1: Adopt a Tree Green, M.L. Underneath My Favorite Tree. PublishAmerica. 2008. Read along with this playful poem as Nadieya imagines all of her favorite things she would see underneath her beloved tree. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1604748581.
1: Adopt a Tree Hall, Kirsten. The Gold Leaf. Enchanted Lion Books. 2017. In the spring, among many shades of green, there is one gold leaf. Following the serial theft of this leaf, you will find nature’s wisdom. Grade PreK–3. ISBN: 978-1592702145.
1: Adopt a Tree   Iverson, Diane. My Favorite Tree: Terrific Trees of North America. Dawn Publications. 1999. Explore 27 of the major native North American trees, along with the food, shelter, and their importance to our heritage. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-1883220938.
1: Adopt a Tree   Locker, Thomas. Sky Tree: Seeing Science through Art. HarperCollins. 2001. Travel through the seasons and learn about the passage of time in nature in this beautifully illustrated book. Grades K–4. ISBN: 978-0064437509.
1: Adopt a Tree Muth, Jon J. Hi, Koo!: A Year of Seasons. Scholastic Press. 2014. Join a bear named Koo and two human siblings as they challenge readers to stretch their minds with 26 haikus about the four seasons. Starting with fall, readers of all ages can enjoy not only the fun and frivolous haikus, but also the changing color palette of Muth’s watercolor art as it follows the seasonal transformations. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0545166683.
1: Adopt a Tree   Stewart, Melissa. Under the Snow. Peachtree. 2009. Learn how snakes, salamanders, carp, beavers, and other animals spend their days during the winter months. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1561454938.
1: Adopt a Tree Udry, Janice May. A Tree is Nice. HarperCollins. 1987. This classic Caldecott Award–winning book teaches of the beauty of the everyday world and the many pleasures a tree provides. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-0060261559.
2: Get in Touch with Trees   Gibbons, Gail. Tell Me, Tree: All About Trees for Kids. Little Brown. 2002. This book introduces students to the parts of a tree and their functions, the growth of trees, and the different types of trees. Followed by a discussion of how trees are useful to people, animals, and the environment, and directions for making a tree identification book. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0316309035.
3: Trees as Habitats   Brenner, Barbara. One Small Place in a Tree. Harper Collins. 2011. Stop, observe, and explore your natural world. If you look closely enough, you will surely find… one small place that is home for something. Grades 1–2. ISBN: 978-0688171803.

 
3: Trees as Habitats   Carlson-Voiles, Polly. Someone Walks By: The Wonders of Winter Wildlife. Raven Productions. 2008. Take a walk through winter woods, and spot signs of animal life in a cold, snowy winter habitat. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-0980104561.

 
3: Trees as Habitats Ehlert, Lois. Nuts to You! HMH Books for Young Readers. 2004. Take a trip to the city, where a mischievous little squirrel’s adventures lead him around a birdfeeder and into an apartment. Grades PreK–3, ISBN: 978-0152050641.
3: Trees as Habitats Hutchins, Pat. Good-Night, Owl! Little Simon. 1990. Sometimes it’s hard to be a “night owl.”  Students will learn about all the creatures that make their home in a tree, as an owl tries to get a good “night’s” rest. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-1481444248.
3: Trees as Habitats   Sheehy, Shawn. Welcome to the Neighborwood. Candlewick. 2015. Learn about forest habitats and micro-communities as artist and author Shawn Sheehy takes readers from neighborhood to neighborhood. In this stunning pop-up book, he introduces readers to seven woodland animals and insects. Grades PreK–3. ISBN: 978-0763665944.
3: Trees as Habitats Van Laan, Nancy. A Tree For Me. Knopf Books for Young Readers. 2000. In this rhyming book, a child climbs five different trees looking for a place to hide. Each tree reveals an increasing number of animals already in residence until finally the perfect tree is found. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-0679893844.
4: Schoolyard Safari   Allen, Judy. Are You a Spider? Kingfisher: Backyard Books. 2003. One of a series of titles that introduces readers to creatures they may find in their backyard or schoolyard. Others in the series include: Are You an Ant?, Are You a Butterfly?, Are You a Dragonfly?, Are You a Ladybug? and Are You a Snail?. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-0753456095.
4: Schoolyard Safari   Boyd, Lizi. Flashlight. Chronicle Books. 2014. What happens when a little boy leaves the comfort and security of his tent to explore the unfamiliar and unpredictable environment that surrounds his camp… in the dark? Armed with only his flashlight, the main character of this book takes readers on a journey that is creative and exciting on multiple levels. Grades PreK–2. ISBN: 978-1452118949.
4: Schoolyard Safari   Cole, Henry. I Took a Walk. Greenwillow Books. 1998. In this story, students join in an adventure through the forest and discover just how many plants and animals call the forest their home.  Foldout lists of animals, plants, and insects offer ideas for what students can look for on their own adventures. Grades K–4. ISBN: 978-0688151157.
4: Schoolyard Safari Fredericks, Anthony. Around One Log; Chipmunks, Spiders, and Creepy Insiders. Dawn Publications. 2012. Fun, rhyming verses provide a great introduction to common forest critters you can find in your own backyard, while also teaching young learners about forest cycles and decomposition. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1584691372.
4: Schoolyard Safari Halfmann, Janet. Little Black Ant on Park Street. Soundprint. 2009. From the perspective of a little black ant, learn about and explore the animals that live in an American backyard. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1607270034.
4: Schoolyard Safari   Lunis, Natalie. Life in Your Backyard. Newbridge Educational Publishing. 1996. Students discover that every backyard, vacant lot, and playground is a wildlife habitat filled with plants and animals to explore. Grades K–2. ISBN: 978-1567842234.
4: Schoolyard Safari   Morrison, Gordon. Nature in the Neighborhood. HMH Books for Young Readers. 2004. Take a stroll through the seasons with naturalist Gordon Morrison as he reveals plants and animals you might be able to find in your own neighborhood. Grades 1–5. ISBN: 978-0547015484.
4: Schoolyard Safari   Silver, Donald M. One Small Square: Woods. McGraw-Hill Education. 1997. This book explains how to investigate the plant and animal life found in a small section of the woods. Grades 1–3. ISBN: 978-0070579330.
5: Habitat Pen Pals Berkes, Marianne. Over in the Forest: Come and Take a Peek. Dawn Publications. 2012. Practice math and observation skills while also being introduced to the diverse woodland habitat. Grades 1–2. ISBN: 978-1584694601.
5: Habitat Pen Pals   George, Lindsay Barrett. In the Woods: Who’s Been Here? Greenwillow Books. 1998. Siblings William and Cammy set off on a awalk through the autumn woods near their house. Although they don’t see any wildlife on their trek, they do observe traces of creatures’ activities—including a northern oriole’s nest, the remains of a red squirrel’s meal, a monarch butterfly’s cocoon, and a mud dauber’s home. Two of the examples involve predator–prey relationships that may upset very young listeners, but for most children this will be an excellent introduction to a walk in the woods. Grades K–3. ISBN: 978-0688161637.
5: Habitat Pen Pals   Messner, Kate. Over and Under the Snow. Chronicle Books. 2011. Learn about the subnivean (under snow pack) inhabitants and how they use this space for protection, food, and transportation. Make prior knowledge connections by comparing the subnivean zone to your own home: how are they alike and different? Grades PreK–4. ISBN: 978-0811867849.