Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf

By Lois Ehlert
(1991)

I like this book because it lends itself to the idea of making a science notebook, or journal. The illustrations are colorful, bold collages of cut paper and real leaves/seeds--lots of texture.
The story is about a child who plants a sugar maple tree, and how the tree grows and changes throughout the seasons.

Pumpkin Circle

By George Levenson, 1999

This book follows the life cycle of a pumpkin from seed to sprout to plant to flower to fruit and back to seed. A few simple lines of rhyming or near-rhyming verse comment on each stage of development; striking color photographs illustrate the text. The many close-ups show every detail of the plants, while wider shots take in the whole garden or even a mountain of pumpkins. Crisp and beautifully composed, the photos are awash in gleaming shades of green as well as glowing gold and orange tones. The last page provides instructions for growing pumpkins. A visually striking book that teachers may want to read aloud. --Carolyn Phelan

Rah, Rah, Radishes! A Vegetable Chant

By April Pulley Sayre, 2011

Know any kids who don't like veggies? Here is a book that's sure to change their hungry minds! With a raucous, rhyming text, Rah, Rah, Radishes! celebrates fresh vegetables, nature's bright colors, and the joy of healthy eating. The book's interactive spirit encourages kids to join in on the read-aloud fun, and little ones won't be able to resist the book's vibrant photographs--they're a feast for the eyes!