N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
3rd Grade Science
Title
Unit 3
Trade Books
pages TEKS
rev. May 2007
Author
ISBN #
Unit 3: Adaptations
Adaptations: Animals
3.9A
Kim Taylor
0471571938
3.6A
 A book about movement that includes action photographs of animals in motion. Details
include fascinating facts about animals and how they crawl, jump, walk, fly, and more.
The book also describes the forces involved in the movements, such as push and pull;
a nice chance to review force as it relates to living organisms. It also includes some
experiments that can be done with students.
3.8A
Adapting and Surviving
24
Brian Knapp
071725853X
3.9A, B
 Provides a lot of information about the interdependence of plants and animals in
various habitats. As six habitats are described, how the plants and animals are
adapted to survive there is discussed.
Animals at Night
8 3.9A
Norman Yu
0792207922
(National Geographic)
3.8A
 Vivid photographs show night animals in action in their habitats. Various parts of the
animals are shown. Very simple text.
Animal Dads
32 3.9A, B Sneed B. Collard III 0618032991
 This delightful book shows the many ways animal dads play a role in raising their
young. The tasks of animal dads range from protecting the young, to teaching them to
play and hunt, to even in two cases, giving birth.
Action: Flying Start Science
32
Animals in Winter
32 3.9A, B
Henrietta Bancroft &
Richard G. Van Gelder
0060271574
Wonderful illustrations enhance the simple text as the author explains how a variety
of animals prepare for winter. Discusses animals that hibernate, migrate, and forage.
Animals Prepare for Winter
24 3.9A, B Elaine Pascoe
 Great photographs and simple text make this a nice introduction to a wide variety of
animals and their preparations for winter.

Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
1
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
3rd Grade Science
Title
Unit 3
Trade Books
pages TEKS
rev. May 2007
Author
ISBN #
Science at the Aquarium
24
3.9A, B Kate Boehm Jerome 0792245709
(National Geographic)
 Even though the setting of this book is aquariums, it provides a look at many of the
adaptations of aquatic animals.
Biggest, Strongest, Fastest
32 3.9A, B Steve Jenkins
0395697018
 Illustrated with striking paper collages, this book is very appealing.
Camouflage and Mimicry?
3.9A, B Bobbie Kalman
0865059853
 Has up-close and eye-to-eye photos of a “shade shifting” gecko and “two toned” fish
and birds. Short bits of information highlight the many species that blend in and
stand out with colors as well as those with sophisticated adaptations that make them
look like everything from seaweed to bird droppings.
Endangered Species
32 3.8B, C
Nora L. Deans
0792288777
(National Geographic)
3.9A, B
 Explains endangered, threatened, and extinct species and some of the reasons they
are classified as such. The book also discusses the pros and cons of the
reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone. Challenging reading level for 3rd grade.
3.8A, B
Exploring the World of Animals
48
Penny Raife Durant
053115744X
3.9A, B
 Discusses many types of adaptations of a variety of animals. It also includes
information about the basic needs of animals and how they compete for these
resources.
What Big Teeth You Have!
60 3.9A, B Patricia Lauber
00590475320
 A look at a wide variety of animal teeth tells a great a great deal about an animal and
how it finds food.
What Makes a Tiger Hard to See?
16
3.9A
Louis Capra
0792243617
(National Geographic)
 Discusses and includes photographs that show how protective coloration helps animals
survive.
A Cat’s Whiskers
16
3.9A
Sharon Street
07922
(National Geographic)
 Explains how cats use their physical features to survive.
3.8A, B
Hop Frog
24
Rick Chrustowski
085068888
3.9A, B
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
2
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
3rd Grade Science
Title
Unit 3
Trade Books
pages TEKS
rev. May 2007
Author
ISBN #
With delightful illustrations the reader is taken through the life cycle of the frog
from egg to an adult. It also discusses adaptations that allow the frog to survive.
Frogs
16 3.8A, B
Norman Yu
0792243595
(National Geographic)
3.9A, B
 Adaptations that help the frog survive at each stage of its life are illustrated here
with clear photographs and explanatory text.
3.8A, B
Growing Frogs
Vivian French
0763603171
3.9A, B
 The Frog’s life cycle is brought to vibrant and humorous life as a young girl and her
mother prepare a habitat and grow frogs. Great for use with the Vista for 3rd grade.
3.8A, B
The Frog
32
Sabrina Crewe
0817243690
3.9A, B
 While explaining the frog’s life cycle, many adaptations are also discussed. Full-color
photograph’s enhance the text.
3.9A, B
The Life and Times of the Ant
32
Charles Micucci
0618005595
3.8D
 From the engineered mounds to a variety of survival tactics. The Life and Times of
the Ant presents this creature as an amazing organism. The book also explains ways in
which ants are helpful insects. There is a large chart at the end that shows the parts
of the ant.
Magic School Bus
3.8D
Joanna Cole
059040024X
Gets Ants in Its Pants
32 3.9A
 As Ms. Frizzzle and class enter an ant hill, students get a look at adaptive
characteristics of ants and they modify their environment by building a hill.
Can you See an Insect?
24
3.9A
Felix James
0792289315
(National Geographic)
 Amazing photographs enhance the text that explains how camouflage helps insects
survive and avoid becoming a predator’s dinner. Each insect is shown in its habitat and
the reader is asked to find the insect hiding. The next two pages point out the insect
and provide details about its particular camouflage.

Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
3
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
3rd Grade Science
Title
Unit 3
Trade Books
pages TEKS
rev. May 2007
Author
ISBN #
Adaptations: Plants
Cactuses
12
3.9A
Lesley Pether
0792287231
(National Geographic)
 Explains, with vibrant photographs and simple text, the adaptations that allow
cactuses to survive in the harsh, dry climate of the desert.
Strange Plants
32 3.9A
Angela Royston
157572829
 Easily read test provides descriptions of plants considered to be unique because of
their environmental adaptations such as cactus, the Venus flytrap, and the pitcher
plant. Note: Mushrooms, toadstools, and mold have been included here, even though
they are not plants, but the author states they are not. You may wish to omit this
section.
Inherited Traits
3.10B
John Bonnett Wexo 088682270X
3.9A
 Animal Babies covers not only 'life with mom,' but also the role of animal fathers and
babysitters, highlighting the ways young animals survive, grow, and achieve independence.
3.10B
Baby Animals
32
Seymour Simon
1587171708
3.9A
 The images in this picture book are so alive that children will reach out to touch
them. Each animal is treated to a full-color, photographic spread that includes the
term for the baby and other fascinating facts in a few sentences with simple
vocabulary. Offers an opportunity to help students see that baby animals look like
their parents.
3.10B
Whose Baby Am I?
John Butler
06708996837
3.9A
 The simple text in this book makes it a great way to introduce inherited traits: that
most baby animals look like their parents. Butler's acrylic and colored pencil
illustrations realistically capture nine achingly adorable animals. A double-page spread
at the end asks viewers to match the babies on the left with the adult animals on the
right. The final page provides the correct names for the babies. Note: While Butler’s
illustrations are adorable, they do show animals with human-like facial expressions
Animal Babies
24
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
4
N o r th E a s t In d e pen d e nt S c ho o l Di s tr ic t
3rd Grade Science
Title
Unit 3
Trade Books
pages TEKS
rev. May 2007
Author
ISBN #
that they do not have in real life.
Some annotations are based on reviews from: Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, Card catalog, NSTA, and book jacket.
This publication is the property of North East Independent School District.
Duplication in whole or in part, outside of NEISD, is prohibited without express written permission from NEISD.
5