Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
A Black Hole Is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami DeCristofano
Possible Topics: Black Holes, Gravity, Stars.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Levels
Hawking,
George’s Secret Key to the
3-6
Lucy &
Universe
Stephen
Simon & Schuster Books for
Young Readers
Rustad,
Martha E. H.
Zappa,
Martha
Black Holes
Pebble Plus
Black Holes
Abdo
2-3
Waxman,
Laura
Hamilton
Exploring Black Holes
Learner
3-6
Galat, Joan
Marie
Blacks Holes and
Supernovas
Capstone Press
3-6
2-4
Comments
Noted physicist Stephen Hawking and his
daughter, Lucy, provide a grand and funny
adventure that explains fascinating information
about our universe, including Dr. Hawking's latest
ideas about black holes.
Full-color photographs and simple text provide a
brief introduction to black holes.
Simple, straightforward text paired with vibrant
photos and colorful diagrams breaks down scientific
concepts of black holes, such as gravity, light, and
energy. Features include a table of contents, fun
facts, a glossary with phonetics, and an index.
A great space mystery -- Black holes up close -Falling into a black hole -- Birth of a black hole -Studying black holes. Text, photographs, and
illustrations provide an introduction to black holes.
Color photographs and text provide information
about how stars are formed, describe the
characteristics of supernovas and black holes that
form when stars explode, and discuss how
astronomers learn about space.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
ISBN/Publication
Date
978-1-41698-584-6
2007
978-1-42967-584-0
2012
978-1-61714-686-2
2011
978-0-7613-7877-8
2012
978-1-42967-225-2
2012
Than, Ker
Black Holes
Children’s Press
Websites
Name of Site
4-6
Address
Grade
Levels
3-6
ThinkQuest
http://library.thinkquest.org/C0
04179/customs.htm
Astronomy for
Kids
http:/library.thinkquest.org/364
5/
6
Tpt
Black Holes
Stardate
Black Hole
Encyclopedia
http:/tpt.org/newtons/TeacherG
uide.php?id=1156
http://blackholes.stardate.org
6
HubbleSite
Black HolesGravity’s
Relentless Pull
Chandra
NASA’s mission
for x-ray
astronomy
http://hubblesite.org/explore_
astronomy/black_holes
http://chandra.harvard.edu
5-6
4-6
6
Explains how stars become black holes,
looking at the types of black holes, and
what is inside a black hole. Good text
features.
Comments
Website created by students organized
by continents discusses clothing
throughout the world.
Choose a topic in outer space and learn
about it. Excellent photos. Use a
virtual telescope.
Vocabulary, and activities to find out
about what a black hole is.
Numerous sites listed for black holes,
current materials and news on an online
encyclopedia of black holes, many tabs
and topics to choose from, excellent
photos
Video introduction to four excellent
sites about black holes with information,
virtual journeys and simulations from
the Space Telescope Science Institute
Extensive information on numerous sites
about black holes—amazing images.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
978-0-531-22801-2
2010
Publisher/Creator
Oracle Education
Foundation
Oracle Think
Quesr
Newton’s Apple
McDonald
Observatory
NASA
Hubble
Chandra X-Ray
Center by
Smithsonian
Astrophysical
Observatory
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
The Case of the Vanishing Golden Frog by Sandra Markle
Possible Topics: Golden Frogs, Poisonous Frogs, Endangered Frogs, Endangered Species, Habitats.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
Levels
Markle,
Slippery, Slimy Baby Frogs
2-3
Colorful photos and simple text
Sandra
Walker
explore how frogs grow.
Aloian,
Endangered Frogs
3-6
Explains how sensitive frogs are to
Molly &
Crabtree
change and their environments and
Bobbie
why people to protect them.
Kalman
Hamilton,
Frog Rescue: Changing the Future
6
Complex text profiles the
Garry
for Endangered Wildlife
disappearance and endangerment of
Firefly Books
frogs around the world.
Bishop, Nic Nic Bishop’s Frogs
2-5
Excellent pictures and text features
Scholastic
make this book very accessible.
Patent,
Flashy Fantastic Rain Forest Frogs
2-4
Describes the physical
Dorothy
Walker & Co.
characteristics, behavior,
Hinshaw
reproduction, and habitat of frogs
that live in the rain forest.
Holdridge,
Ask Me If I Am a Frog
2-3
Uses questions and explanatory text
Barbara
Stemmer House Publishers
to compare the anatomy and habits of
a frog with those of a child and
discusses the habitats and life cycles
of frogs.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
ISBN/Publication
Date
978-0-8027-8062-1
2008
978-0-7787-1918-2
2006
978-1-55297-596-1
2004
978-0-439-87755-8
2008
978-0-8027-7536-8
1999
978-0-88045-143-7
1998
(still in print)
Websites
Name of Site
Address
Grade
Levels
3-6
Project Golden
Frog
http://www.projectgoldenfrog.org/
Partners in
Amphibian and
Reptile
Conservation
Amphibian Ark
http://www.parcplace.org/publication
s/herp-articles/159-the-mostdangerous-animal-is-a-frog.html
4-6
http://www.amphibianark.org/
3-6
San Diego Zoo
Animals
http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/conte
nt/amphibians
4-6
Can Teach
http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/
songspoems59.html
2-3
Comments
Publisher/Creeator
Educational site advises how to
prevent the spread of amphibian
disease and current project to
protect this Panamanian national
treasure.
Article by Whit Gibbons: Most
Dangerous Animal is a Frog
discusses the Poison Dart Frog
of South Africa.
Informative website dedicated
to keeping threatened
amphibians afloat.
Project Golden Frog
Discover facts about and see
great close-up photos of the
golden frog.
Songs and poems about frogs.
San Diego Zoo
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Partners in
Amphibian and
Reptile Conservation
The AArk is a joint effort
of the World Association
of Zoos and Aquariums, the
IUCN SSC Conservation
Breeding Specialist Group,
and the Amphibian Survival
Alliance.
Canadian Website
for Elementary
Teachers
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
Castle: How It Works by David Macaulay
Possible Topics: Castles, Life in a Castle, Building Castles.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Levels
Cole,
Mrs. Frizzle’s Adventures: Medieval
2-4
Joanna
Castles
Scholastic
Rau, Dana
Meachen
Castle
Marshall Cavendish Benchmark
2-3
Weil, Ann
The World’s Most Amazing Castles
Raintree
4-6
Eastwood,
Kay
Life in a Castle
Crabtree
4-6
Humphrey,
Paul
Building a Castle
Arcturus
5-6
Comments
When Ms. Frizzle and her student
Arnold find themselves in the middle
of a siege of a 12th century English
castle, they learn a great deal about
both castles and the Middle Ages.
Includes index. Looks at the interiors
and exteriors of castles, and explains
what they are made of, and who lived
in them. Very simple.
Provides photographs and facts about
ten of the world's most
extraordinary castles.
Describes different kinds of castles,
their purposes, how they were built,
and what it was like to live in a castle,
looking particularly at the roles
played by women and children.
Discover the real techniques behind
how castles were built, and the lives
of the brilliant craftspeople who
made them.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
ISBN/Publication
Date
978-1-41312-243-5
2003
978-0-7614-3297-5
2008
978-1-41094-241-8
2012
978-0-7787-1375-3
2004
978-1-84858-559-1
2012
Websites
Name of Site
Address
Grade
Levels
3-5
Comments
Castles on the
Web
Neuschwanstein
Castle
www.castlesontheweb.com
Journey
Through the
Middle Ages
Build a Medieval
Castle
www.library.thinkquest.org/405
1/
6
www.yourchildlearns.com/castle.
htm
3-6
Build your own castle, learn about
castle life, no software needed
Secrets of Lost
Empires:
Medieval Sieges
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostemp
ires/trebuchet/
4-6
Learn about life in a castle and siege
techniques. Companion web site to
NOVA program Medieval
Siege/Secrets of Lost Empires
www.neuschwansteincastle.net
4-6
Publisher/Creator
Extensive database of all things
Castles on the
castle. Includes a game
Web
Most visited castle in Europe.
Neuschwanstein
Inspired Walt Disney-includes
Castle
interesting fact pages
Student produced game to teach about Oracle Think
the Middle Ages in Europe
Quest
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Owl and Mouse
Educational
Software
NOVA on line
PBS
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
Eight Days Gone by Linda McReynolds
Suggested Topics: Space Exploration, Man on the Moon, Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin, Michael Collins, Moon.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
ISBN/Publication
Levels
Date
Hilliard,
Ham the Astrochimp
3-6
This informational and entertaining book 978-1-59078-459-4
Richard
Boyds Mills Press
celebrates the achievement of Ham, the 2007
Astrochimp who revealed much about
the impact of space flight on the body.
Sklansky,
Out of This Word-Poems and
3-5
Facts about space adjacent to poems on 978-375-86459-9
2012
Amy
facts about Space
the same topic
978-0-14-056598-0
Suen,
Man on the Moon
2-3
Describes in illustrations and simple
1997
Anastasia
Puffin Books
text the Apollo 11 mission to the moon,
culminating in man’s first moon landing.
978-1-40425-561-6
Zelon, Helen The Apollo 11 Mission: The First
4-6
Somewhat complex text. Describes the
2006
Man to Walk on the Moon
flight to the moon and Neil Armstrong
Rosen Publishing
and Buzz Aldrin's walk on the surface,
and presents facts about space flight.
978-1-46440-075-9
Green, Carl
Walking on the Moon: The
4-6
Somewhat complex text in narrative
R.
Amazing Apollo 11 Mission
format with photographs. “Although the 2013
Enslow Publishers
overall appearance is geared to younger
children, the language and heavy text
with endnotes makes it more
appropriate for older students.
978-1-43392-147-6
KoestlerNeil Armstrong
3-6
Examines the life and accomplishments
2010
Grack,
Gareth Stevens
of Neil Armstrong, who was the first
Rachel A.
man to walk on the surface of the moon.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Hollingsworth,
Tamara
Websites
Name of Site
Neil Armstrong: Man on the
Moon
Teacher Created Materials
Address
Kidport
Reference
Library: The
Moon Landing
Kennedy Space
Center Home
Page
We Choose the
Moon: Prelaunch
www.kidport.com/reflib/science/
moonlanding/moonlanding.htm
2-3
Grade
Levels
3-4
www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/
home/index.html
4-6
http://mightymega.com/2013/0
8/30/we-choose-the-moonrelive-the-apollo-11-mission/
3-6
Apollo 11
Image AlleryNASA
Astronomy for
Kids
www.nasa.gov.../apollo11.html
All
ages
www.library.thinkquest.org/364
5/
3-5
Newsela.com
http://newsela.com/articles/dyi
ngstars/id/1040/#articles/dyingstars/id/1040/
4-6
Biography: An introduction to the life
of Neil Armstrong, the first human
being to walk on the moon.
Comments
978-1-43331-596-1
2011
Publisher/Creator
Online reference library designed to be
fun and easy to use about space travel
and other areas
Kidsport
Official site of NASA includes Apollo 11
mission and all aspects of space
exploration
View animated scenes of each stage of
the Apollo 11 mission with additional
information. At the end, students may
download a certificate for their journey
Spectacular photos of history in the
making
NASA
Learn about black holes, comets, eclipses
and all things about the universe. Use a
virtual telescope
“Something strange is happening in the
center of the Milky Way”
By Los Angeles Times, adapted by
Newsela staff.
Oracle Think
Quest
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
John F. Kennedy
Library and
Museum
NASA
Newsela provides
innovative way for
students to build
reading
comprehension
with nonfiction.
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
Giant Squid by Mary M. Cerullo and Clyde F. E. Roper
Possible Topics: Humboldt Squid, Giant Squid, Strange Sea Life, Sea Monsters, Kraken.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
Levels
Wellcoms,
Kraken: the Curious, Exciting & Slightly
4-6
Story of kraken and other sea
Wendy
Disturbing Science of Squid
creatures told by scientists who
Abrams Image
study them.
Newquist,
Here There Be Monsters: the Legendary
6+
Explores the mystery of the Giant
H.P.
Graken and Giant Squid
Squid -myths and realities
Houghton Mifflin
Verne,
20,0000 Leagues Under the Sea
6+
The classic: hunting the sea
Jules
Bantam Classics
monster.
Verne,
20,0000 Leagues Under the Sea
3-6
The classic: hunting the sea
Jules
Great Illustrated Classics
monster.
Baronet Books
Delano,
Sea Monsters: Prehistoric Adventure
4-6
Relive the wonder of Sea
Marfe
National Geographic
Monsters, National Geographic's
Ferguson
3-D large format film, and learn
more about these weird
prehistoric creatures of the deep.
Osborne,
Magic Treehouse: Dark Day in the Deep
2-5
" Eight-year-old Jack and his
Mary Pope
Sea
seven-year-old sister, Annie, learn
Random House
about the ocean, solve the mystery
of its fabled sea monster, and gain
compassion for their fellow
creatures.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
ISBN/Publication
Date
978-0-8109-8465-3
2011
978-0-547-07678-2
2010
978-0-7587-7973-1
1870, p2003
978-1-60340-037-4
2008
978-1-42630-162-9
2007
978-0-375-83732-6
2008
Websites
Site
Address
Grade
Levels
6+
NOAA
http://thecephalopodpage.org
Sub: invertibrates
MBARI NEWS
http://mbari.org-Squids
Aug. 30, 2013
5-6
Creatures of
the Deep Sea
Colossal Squid
Creatures of
the Deep SeaBioluminescence
The
Celephalopod
Page
National
Geographic Kids
http://seasky.org/deepsea/giantsquid.html
4-6
http;//seasky.org/deepsea/biolumiscence.html
4-6
http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/
6
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/k
ids/animals/creaturefeature/giantsquid/
3-6
Description
Publisher/Creator
Numerous sea creatures, videos,
images, articles, lessons,
conferences, many illustrations.
Deep sea squid with tentacles that
“swim” on their own to capture
food.
Simulation of underwater sub,
uses sonar, moveable mouse some
ads-COOL!.
Animation of bioluminescence
chemistry (occurs when certain
chemicals are mixed together.
Videos, images, and articles and
news about invertebrates.
National Oceanic &
Atmospheric
Admin
Monterey Bay Aqua
Research Institute
Great facts in accessible text and
super pictures.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Sea and Sky
Sea and Sky
James Woods,
Associate Director,
Waikiki Aquarium
National Geographic
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin
Possible Topics: Galapagos Islands, Volcanoes, Geology, Habitats, Evolution, Animal Adaptations, Natural Selection.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
ISBN/Publication
Levels
Date
978-1-61913-436-2
Banting,
The Galapagos Islands
5-6
An introduction to the Galapagos Islands,
2013
Errin
AV2/Weigl Publishers
showing where they are located, looking at how
islands are formed, and discussing the
ecosystem, unique animals, history of
exploration, natural attractions, and way of life
on the Galapagos Islands.
978-1-61613-563-8
Henzel,
The Galapagos Islands
5-6
Provides information about the Galapagos
2011
Cynthia
Abdo
Islands, including the archipelago's formation,
Kennedy
Darwin's theory of evolution, and today's
conservation efforts.
Roza,
Greg
The Galapagos Islands
Rosen
4-6
Lasky,
Kathryn
One Beetle Too Many: The
Extraordinary Adventures of
Charles Darwin
Candlewick Press
Earth’s Many Land Forms
Rosen
4-6
Haskell, J.
P.
2-3
Explores the geology, biology, and history of a
large group of islands off the coast of Ecuador
in the Pacific Ocean, where some very unusual
animals and land formations exist.
Describes the life and work of the renowned
nineteenth-century biologist who transformed
conventional Western thought with his theory
of natural evolution. (biography)
Includes index. Photographs and text introduce
early readers to Earth's many landforms,
including mountains, valleys and canyons, and
volcanoes.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
978-0-8239-6403-1
2003
978-0-329-92918-3
2009
978-1-44889-052-1
2013
Kalman,
Bobbie
Introducing Land Forms
Websites
Name of Site
Destination
Galapagos
Fun Things to
do in Equador
About.com
About.com
World Wildlife
Organization
Dialogue for
Kids
Address
http://www.pbs.org/safa
rchive/5_cool/galapagos/g
1_welcome.html
http://www.travelforkids
.com/Funtodo/Ecuador/ga
lapagos.htm
http://animals.about.com
/od/habitatprofiles/ig/An
imals-of-the-Galapagos/
2-4
Includes index. Photographs and simple text
introduce various landforms including rivers and
lakes, mountains and valleys, deserts, canyons,
caves, and volcanoes.
Grade
Levels
3-6
Comments
Publisher/Creator
A cyber-field trip to the Galapagos Islands with
teaching guides. Fun site!
Scientific
American Frontier
Archives
Kids Travel
978-0-7787-3213-6
2008
3-6
Basic information with terrific pictures of the
Galapagos Islands today—habitat and animals.
4-6
The wildlife of the Galapagos Islands includes
some of the world's most unique animals—
marine iguanas, Galapagos land iguanas, bluefooted boobies, Galapagos tortoises and many
others. Excellent photos.
Basic explanation of the concept of evolution.
Laura Klappenbach
http://animals.about.com
/od/evolution/ss/evolution
.htm
http://worldwildlife.org/p
laces/the-galapagos
4-6
5-6
Focuses on wildlife, ecosystem and conservation
and includes amazing pictures.
Nonprofit
organization focusing
on conservation
throughout the world.
http://idahoptv.org/dialo
gue4kids/season10/habita
t/facts.cfm
2-4
Kid-friendly pictures and text about habitats
with interactive glossary of related vocabulary.
Idaho Public
Television
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Laura Klappenbach
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
A Rock is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston & Sylvia Long
Possible Topics: Rocks, Minerals, Geology, Earth Science, Fossils.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
Levels
Gray, Susan Geology: the Study of Rocks
3-6
Discusses glaciers, oceans, volcanoes,
Heinrichs
Children’s Press
rocks, minerals, earthquakes, and the
Hurst,
Carol Otis
Rocks in His Head
Greenwillow Books
2-4
Tomecek,
Steve
Everything Rocks and Minerals
National Geographic
5-6
Pellant,
Chris
The Best Book of Fossils,
Rocks, and Minerals
Kingfisher
5-6
Anholt,
Laurence
Stone Girl, Bone Girl: The
Story of Mary Anning
Orchard Books
4-6
Baylor,
Byrd
Everybody Needs a Rock
Alladin Paperbacks
2-4
history of the Earth.
A young man has a lifelong love of rock
collecting that eventually leads him to
work at a science museum.
More complex text and amazing graphics and
text features to entice potential rock
hounds. Shows how rocks and minerals are
transformed for common use.
Detailed illustrations and informative text
allow readers to mine this fascinating
subject. Includes an illustrated glossary and
an index.
A brief biography of the English girl whose
discovery of an ichthyosaur skeleton in 1811
when she was only 12 led to a lifelong
interest in fossils and important discoveries.
Engaging fiction story about choosing a
perfect rock.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
ISBN/Publication
Date
978-0-531-28270-0
2012
978-0-06-029403-8
2001
978-1-42630-801-7
2010
978-0-7534-5274-5
2000
0-531-30148-6
1998
978-0-689-71051-3
1985
Fern,
Tracey E.
Barnum’s Bones: How Barnum
Brown Discovered the Most
Famous Dinosaur in the World
Farrar Straus Giroux
2-5
As a paleontologist for the American Museum 978-0-374-30516-1
2012
of Natural History, he discovered the first
documented skeleton of the Tyrannosaurus
Rex, as well as most of the other dinosaurs
on display there today.
Peters, Lisa
Westberg
Earthshake: Poems from the
Ground Up
Greenwillow Books
2-6
Presents twenty-two poems about geology.
End notes provide information about the
earth's surface and interior, types of rocks,
and how volcanoes, glaciers, and erosion
modify the landscape.
Websites
Name of Site
The Dynamic
Earth
Address
http://www.mnh.si.edu/ear
th/text/3_0_0.html
Geology, Gems http://www.mnh.si.edu/expl
& Minerals
ore/earth/index.html
GeoMysteries http://www.childrensmuseu
m.org/geomysteries/index2.
html
Virtual
http://skywalker.cochise.ed
Geology
u/wellerr/VGM/mineralMuseum
hall.htm
Grade
Levels
5-6
978-0-06-029265-2
2003
Comments
Publisher
High reading level, but excellent introduction
to gems, minerals, rocks, volcanoes, etc.
Smithsonian
National Museum
of Natural Science
Museum of
Natural History
Children’s Museum
of Indianapolis
5-6
Check out the online exhibit.
3-6
Super graphics, Geologic Timeline, more
accessible.
5-6
Fabulous photos and drawings, but very little
accessible text.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Cochise College
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
Snakes by Nic Bishop
Possible Topics: Snakes, Predators, Habitats, Food Chains.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
Levels
Cannon,
Verdi
2-5
This timeless story of “a young python does
Janell
Harcourt Brace & Co.
not want to grow slow and boring will
entertain and provides glimpses of the
growth processes of pythons.
Stone,
Secret Lives of Snakes
2-4
The short, succinct book provides facts
Lynne M.
Rourke Book Company, Inc.
about several species of snakes.
Stewart,
Snakes
2-5
Brief and accessible text partnered with
Melissa
Scholastic
informative graphics make this book very
engaging for young readers.
Keller,
Help! A Story of Friendship
2-5
Mouse hears a rumor that snakes do not like
Holly
Greenwillow Books
mice; but who will save him in the end?
Lauber,
Snakes Are Hunters
2-4
Describes the physical characteristics of a
Patricia
HarperCollins
variety of snakes and how they hunt, catch,
and eat their prey. Illustrated by Holly
Keller who wrote Help!
de la
Snakelet to Snake
2-5
Simple text and photographs describe the
Bedoyere,
QEB Publishing
life cycle of a snake.
Camilla
Firth,
Snakes
4-6
More complex text and excellent graphics
Rachel &
Usborne Discovery
with a wealth of information, including a
Jonathan
lengthy glossary and index, as well as an
SheikhUsborne Quicklinks Website offering more
Miller
photos and interactive options.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
ISBN/Publication
Date
978-0-15-201028-7
1997
1-55916-262-7
2001
978-0-545-21243-4
2009
978-0-06-123913-7
2007
978-0-7587-1677-4
1988 but still in print
978-1-84835-922-2
2010
978-0-7945-2240-7
2008
Websites
Name of Site
Address
Grade
Levels
3-6
Nic Bishop
http://www.nicbishop.com
/nic_bishop_021.htm
Dialogue for
Kids
http://idahoptv.org/dialo
gue4kids/season12/snake
s/facts.cfm
3-6
Herps of the
Southeast
Virtual Walk
http://srelherp.uga.edu/
SPARC/trip10.htm
6
Ecokids: “Chain http://www.ecokids.ca/pu
Reaction”
b/eco_info/topics/frogs/c
hain_reaction/play_chainr
eaction.cfm
Mr. R’s World
http://sciencepoems.net/
of Math and
sciencepoems/foodchain.a
Science
spx#.Ukxm0W2myoY
No Water River http://www.nowaterriver.
The Picture
com/poetry-monday-aBook and
snake-ate-myPoetry Place
homework-by-loridegman/
Comments
Publisher/Creator
Website includes fascinating stories of
unexpected encounters with snakes during
the author’s amazing travels.
Kid friendly website contains a wealth of
information in a very readable format.
Interactive glossary pops up when bolded
words are selected with the cursor. Great
pictures.
More complex text and excellent graphics
make this a great site to visit while
discussing snakes and food chains.
Simple text and interactive graphics
demonstrate where snakes fit in a food
chain.
Nic Bishop
3-6
Simple poem about food chains.
Unavailable
2-6
“A Snake Ate My Homework”, and
delightfully funny poem with absolutely no
scientific value whatsoever—just fun-by Lori
Degman.
Renee LaTulippe –
a poetry blog
2-6
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Idaho Public
Television
Savannah River
Ecology
Laboratory
Earth Day Canada
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggestions for Building Text Sets
What We Wear: Dressing Up Around the World by Maya Ajmera, Elise Hofer Derstine, Cynthia Pon
Possible Topics: Costumes, Cultures, Traditional Clothing, Folk Festivals, Heritage, Diversity.
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
Levels
Doudna,
Clothing Around the World
K-2
Very simple text encourages
Kelly
Abdo Publishing
acceptance of differences, with
photographs of children around
the world.
Adamson,
Clothes in Many Cultures
K-3
Includes Table of Contents, Index,
Heather
Capstone Press
Bibliography: Text and pictures of
clothing from various countries.
Behrens,
The Way We Dress
K-3
Includes Index: Simple text and
Janice
Children’s Press
pictures highlight how children
dress and live differently around
the world.
Barrett,
Animals Should Definitely Not Wear
K-3
Humorous look at what would
Judi
Clothing
happen if animals wore clothing.
Alladin Paperbacks
Kindersley,
Anabel
Children Just Like Me; Celebrations
DK Publishing
2-6
A calendar of celebrations which
describes holidays and festivals of
all major religions and cultures
from around the world. Includes
original photography.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
ISBN/Publication
Date
978-1-59197-565-6
2004
978-1-42960-018-7
2008
978-0-531-21338-4
2010
978-1-44243-334-2
Reissued in 2012 as a
board book with new
illustrations.
978-0-7894-2027-5
1997 (Still in print.)
Jones,
Lynda
Kids Around the World Celebrate: the
Best Feasts and Festivals from Many
Lands
J. Wiley
3-6
Robson,
Pam
How I Celebrate
Millbrook Press
4-6
Beeler,
Selby B.
Throw Your Tooth on the Roof
Houghton Mifflin
2-3
Websites
Name of Site
Address
ThinkQuest
http://library.thinkquest.org/C00417
9/customs.htm
National
Geographic
Kids
Time for Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ki
ds/places/find/canada/
http://www.timeforkids.com/aroundthe-world
Includes index. Introduces a
variety of festivals celebrated
around the world. Includes recipes
and hands-on activities to give a
taste of what it is like to be part
of a feast or ceremony in another
country.
Notes: Includes index. Explains
the historical background behind
many of the world's holidays and
festivals and describes how they
are celebrated.
. . .brief statements relating what
children from around the world do
with a tooth that has fallen out.
Includes facts about teeth.
Grade
Comments
Levels
3-6
Website created by students
organized by continents discusses
clothing throughout the world.
4-6
Kid-friendly site with facts, videos
and maps about many countries.
4-6
Kid-friendly site with facts, maps
and pictures.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
978-0-471-34527-5
2000
978-0-7613-1952-8
2001
978-0-618-15238-4
1998 (still in print)
Publisher/Creator
Oracle Education
Foundation
National
Geographic
Time Magazine
Towner Award for Informational Books
Suggested Text Sets
Ocean Sunlight: How Tiny Plants Feed the Seas by Molly Bang and Penny Chisolm
Possible Topics: Ecosystems, Phytoplankton, Ocean Exploration, Food Chains, Organisms, Food Webs, Marine Snow, Ocean
Life, Photosynthesis, Ocean Habitat
Books
Author
Title/Publisher
Grade
Comments
ISBN/Publication
Levels
Date
Fleisher,
Ocean Food Webs
3-6
Early readers will build solid understanding of 978-0-8225-6732-5
2008
Paul
Learner Publications Company
food chains and food webs in this series.
Minneapolis
Excellent graphics and resources.
Slade,
What Eats What in an Ocean
2-3
Includes bibliographical references and index. 978-1-40487-385-8
2013
Susan
Food Chain
Explores the ways in which ocean plants and
Picture Window Press
animals are connected through food chains.
978-1-46771-255-2
Johansson, Ocean Food Webs in Action
3-6
. Explains how the plants and animals of an
2014
Philip
Learner Publications Company
ocean form a food web in which energy is
distributed throughout the entire
environment.
978-0-7787-2308-0
Kalman,
Photosynthesis: Changing
3-6
Includes index. Presents a study of
2005
Bobbie
Sunlight into Food
photosynthesis, and discusses how plants
Learner Publications Company
make food and receive energy from the sun,
desert and ocean photosynthesis, and how
plants survive in the winter.
978-1-43334-896-9
Bradley,
Demons of the Deep
4-6
Based on writing from “Time For Kids". Text
2013
Timothy J. Teacher Created Materials
and photographs introduce some of the
bizarre and specialized animals that live in
the deepest parts of the oceans.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
Food Webs
Gareth Stevens
5-6
Osborne,
Mary Pope
Magic Treehouse: Dark Day in
the Deep Sea
Random House
2-5
Coombs,
Kate
Water Sings Blue
Chronicle Booksd
2-4
Lewis, Gill
One White Dolphin
First Atheneum Books for Young
Readers
3-5
Websites
Name of Site
Address
Smithsonian
Ocean Portal
http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-lifeecosystems/plankton
National
Geographic
http://nationalgeographic.com
Ocean Losing It’s Appetite for
Carbon-p.3
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Explores how plants and animals get their
food from a variety of sources and how food
chains describe the feeding relationships
between living things.
Eight-year-old Jack and his seven-year-old
sister, Annie, learn about the ocean, solve the
mystery of its fabled sea monster, and gain
compassion for their fellow creatures after
joining a group of nineteenth-century
explorers aboard the H.M.S. "Challenger."
A delightful collection of poetry about the
ocean with stunning watercolor pictures that
are a feast for the eyes.
Written by a veterinarian and brimming with
bravery and beauty, this “poignant and
satisfying story about acting for the greater
good” (Publishers Weekly) taps into the
radiance of nature and dives into the
important, timely issue of environmental
protection and ecology.
Grade
Levels
2-6
4-6
Comments
Fabulous graphics and many
explanations.
Links phytoplankton to
photosynthesis.
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
978-1-43398-708-3
2013
978-0-375-83731-9
2008
978-0-81187-284-3
2012
978-1-44241-448-8
2013
Publisher/Creator
Smithsonian National
Museum of Natural
History
National Geographic
News
Let the
Wonder Begin
4-6
Explore abundant life under an
ice bloom.
California Academy
of Sciences
MBARI NEWS
http://calacademy.org
Science today/Phytoplankton
Under Ice
http://mbari.org
3-6
Monterey Bay
Aquarium
NOAA
http://noaa.gov
5-6
ReadWorks.org
http://www.readworks.org/sites/def
ault/files/pearson/1080_the_eco_pyr
amid--passage.pdf
http://sciencepoems.net/sciencepoem
s/photosynthesis.aspx
4-6
Numerous articles about
phytoplankton with photo
galleries.
Simple explanation of what
phytoplankton is-other available
sites are listed.
Explanation of how the energy of
the sun supports ecosystems
with study questions.
Poem about photosynthesis
http://www.whoi.edu/cms/files/dfino
/2005/4/v43n2johnsensosik_2383.pdf
http://www.fondriest.com/news/scien
tists-combine-laboratory-and-theliterary-on-algal-bloom-poetrybook.htm
4-6
Article about how light alters
under the sea and
photosynthesis
Article about book combining
science and art with excerpt
about phytoplankton
Woods Hole
Oceanographic
Institution
Fondriest
Environmental Inc.
Mr. R’s World
of Math and
Science
Oceanus
Environmental
Monitor
3-6
5-6
Some descriptions contain content from Titlewave.com sponsored by Follett.
National Oceanic &
Atmospheric Admin.
Authored by Michael
Stahl for
ReadWorks, Inc.
Mr. R’s World of
Math and Science