A Dozen Books for Teaching Kids About the Arctic
There's something about experiencing winter and watching the snow that makes us all eager to learn about the arctic. I'm not sure a winter has passed by since we started homeschooling that we haven't read about polar bears, the arctic circle and the amazing animals that live there. Through the years we've come across some really great books.
Here are some of our favorites:
1. Arctic Tundra-- We love this series by Donald Silver and filled with experiments and activities it's perfect for learning about the arctic.
2. A Walk in the Tundra -- Filled with beautiful pictures this books takes you through what the tundra is, where it's located, and how biome work. With short paragraphs of text on each page it's filled with enough facts to be educational but not so many that it's dry or text book like.
3. A Children's Guide to Arctic Birds-- My middle son actually has this book on his night stand right now. Each two page spread has a beautiful illustration of one of the arctic birds and a full page of facts about each bird. It's perfect for older kids who want to learn even more about arctic birds.
4. Over in the Arctic: Where the Cold Winds Blow-- This story is great for younger kids. The rhyming, counting text and the pretty art work displayed on each page make it a must read.
5. North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration-- Beautifully illustrated this book takes us through all the changes of the arctic from winter to spring and back to winter. We loved this book so much.
6. The Big Caribou Herd: Life in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- We love the watercolor pictures that accompany the story following the wild caribou on their annual spring migration. Written in story form this book is great for learning about life in the arctic wildlife preserve.
7. Hello, Arctic! -- With just one sentence on each page and lovely art work to accompany it this book is perfect for children of all ages. Great for young kids who can't sit still long, wonderful for new and emerging readers, perfect for an art lesson!
8. I is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration -- A book presented in the form of an acrostic; this book is perfect for learning about the arctic and it's inhabitants. I thought it would also be a great lead into a writing assignment having each child write their own acrostic.
9. In Arctic Waters -- Written the same way as "The House That Jack Built" books this book is fun to read. Polar bears, seals, narwhals and all sorts of wonderful arctic animals chase each other around the ice.
10. Waiting for Ice-- We love so many of Sandra Markle's books. She combines such wonderful illustrations and drawings with moving, fact filled stories. This is one of our absolute favorites that we read over and over again!
11. Polar Bear Cub-- My youngest son just read this book to me the other day. Perfect for children just starting to read on their own this book combines simple words and beautiful pictures with facts about polar bears.
12. Amazing Arctic Animals-- Perfect for kids who are reading independently these science readers are filled with pictures, facts and easy to read text.
Here are some of our favorites:
1. Arctic Tundra-- We love this series by Donald Silver and filled with experiments and activities it's perfect for learning about the arctic.
2. A Walk in the Tundra -- Filled with beautiful pictures this books takes you through what the tundra is, where it's located, and how biome work. With short paragraphs of text on each page it's filled with enough facts to be educational but not so many that it's dry or text book like.
3. A Children's Guide to Arctic Birds-- My middle son actually has this book on his night stand right now. Each two page spread has a beautiful illustration of one of the arctic birds and a full page of facts about each bird. It's perfect for older kids who want to learn even more about arctic birds.
4. Over in the Arctic: Where the Cold Winds Blow-- This story is great for younger kids. The rhyming, counting text and the pretty art work displayed on each page make it a must read.
5. North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration-- Beautifully illustrated this book takes us through all the changes of the arctic from winter to spring and back to winter. We loved this book so much.
6. The Big Caribou Herd: Life in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- We love the watercolor pictures that accompany the story following the wild caribou on their annual spring migration. Written in story form this book is great for learning about life in the arctic wildlife preserve.
7. Hello, Arctic! -- With just one sentence on each page and lovely art work to accompany it this book is perfect for children of all ages. Great for young kids who can't sit still long, wonderful for new and emerging readers, perfect for an art lesson!
8. I is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration -- A book presented in the form of an acrostic; this book is perfect for learning about the arctic and it's inhabitants. I thought it would also be a great lead into a writing assignment having each child write their own acrostic.
9. In Arctic Waters -- Written the same way as "The House That Jack Built" books this book is fun to read. Polar bears, seals, narwhals and all sorts of wonderful arctic animals chase each other around the ice.
10. Waiting for Ice-- We love so many of Sandra Markle's books. She combines such wonderful illustrations and drawings with moving, fact filled stories. This is one of our absolute favorites that we read over and over again!
11. Polar Bear Cub-- My youngest son just read this book to me the other day. Perfect for children just starting to read on their own this book combines simple words and beautiful pictures with facts about polar bears.
12. Amazing Arctic Animals-- Perfect for kids who are reading independently these science readers are filled with pictures, facts and easy to read text.
Awesome list! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you. My youngest son is currently studying the polar regions so this was a pretty easy list for me to put together; it's all our resources!
Delete'Tis the season for books about the arctic! I've enjoyed reading so many fun picture book posts about this subject. Each one is unique! Thanks for adding this great group of resources to the discussion. We would love for you to link up this post with us at the Literacy Musing Mondays Linkup #LMMLinkup http://www.foreverjoyful.net/?p=830
ReplyDeleteI already had it in my notes to remember to think this one up to Literacy Musing Mondays!
DeleteI was just looking through some of our books this morning and came across Acrtic A to Z and 100 Facts About the Arctic...Thinking how can we use these?? Great list.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to look into those books-- My youngest is doing a report on the polar regions and we're keeping our eyes out for good books.
DeleteYou're welcome and thanks for pinning!
ReplyDeleteThese look like fun! The arctic is such an interesting place, would love to visit someday! Thanks for sharing! #LMMLinkup
ReplyDeleteMy son is currently studying the polar regions and we've been having a great time!
DeleteThis is a great list! My son loves Polar Bears so Arctic books are perfect for him! We'll have to keep an eye out for these at the library!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have two boys that just love learning about polar bears too. We're always on the lookout for "new" books.
DeleteThis is an awesome list!! Inukshuks have a special meaning in my family so I will have to check this one out!!
ReplyDeleteOh good! Glad I could help. I hope you enjoy it.
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