Books for Children About Living & Nonliving Things

The difference between living and nonliving things seems to be an obvious one to adults, but for young children it can be confusing. Some things are clearly alive, such as kittens, puppies and brothers or sisters, but other things such as trees or rocks aren't as easy to understand. A book that explains the difference between living or nonliving things can be a valuable asset for a parent or teacher who is trying to establish that difference.

  1. The Basic Idea

    • "Is It Alive?" by Kimberlee Graves is about living things. "What Is a Living Thing?" by Bobbie D. Kalman continues the same theme. Both books are illustrated and cover the attributes of living creatures. "What's Alive?" by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld continues the theme but asks questions to help children understand whether or not something is alive. These simple books help junior scientists ask questions such as "Does it breathe?" or "Is it warm or cold?" or "Does it grow?" to determine whether or not something is alive.

    Books About Living Things

    • Picture books about living things can be simply about creatures or they can be a miniphilosophy lesson about the way we relate to things around us. "The Salamander Room" by Ann Mazer tells the story of a little boy who brings home a salamander. His mother wants to know how he will care for it, and the child makes up imaginative replies to each of her questions. In "Welcome to the River of Grass," Jane Yolen introduces youngsters to things that live in a swamp. "Each Living Thing" by Joanne Ryder is a celebration of the diversity of life on earth.

    Books About Growing

    • Robin Nelson has a series of short books, illustrated with photographs, that children find delightful. They include "From Egg to Chicken," which shows the life cycle of a chicken; "From Foal to Horse," which shows the growth of a horse from birth to adulthood; and "From Kernel to Corn," which continues the theme but moves it into the plant kingdom, helping children to understand that plants are actually living creatures. "Plants Are Living Things" by Bobby Kalman helps to continue that theme.

    Wrapping Up

    • To wrap up your lesson theme, whether you are a parent trying to answer one of the many questions children ask or whether you are a teacher, you can use books that expand upon the concept. "Living Things Need Water" by Bobbie Kalman points out one of the essential needs of all living creatures. Kalman continues this theme in "I Am a Living Thing," which illustrates that all living things need water, food, sun and air. You could end with "Are You Living? A Song About Living and Nonliving Things" by Laura Purdie Salas. The lyrics are set to "Frère Jacques," and the book comes with a link to a recording of the song so that you can listen to it before or while you sing.

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