One of the earliest science concepts children learn about is photosynthesis, or how plants generate energy from the sun and water. Even young toddlers and preschoolers can appreciate stories on plants. For an activity, take home plants are great. You can also make tissue paper flowers, seed mosaics, or other flower activities.
Bang, Molly. LIVING SUNLIGHT: HOW PLANTS BRING THE EARTH TO LIFE. The sun describes photosynthesis using a rhyming text in this thoughtful book. Also available on DVD.
Carle, Eric. THE TINY SEED. Carle’s signature collages illustrate this tale of a seed that sprouts, showing the plant’s life cycle through the seasons.
Cole, Henry. JACK’S GARDEN. In this cumulative story, Jack plants a beautiful garden.
Ehlert, Lois. PLANTING A RAINBOW. Along with the concept of colors, this shows how flowers grow from bulbs, seeds, or seedlings.
Ehlert, Lois. RED LEAF, YELLOW LEAF. A maple leaf shows how plants grow from seed to sapling in this beautifully illustrated story.
Fogliano, Julie. AND THEN IT’S SPRING. A boy waits anxiously for the seeds he planted to sprout.
Ghigna, Charles. LITTLE SEEDS. A simple rhyming text describes a child who has planted flower seeds in the garden.
Heller, Ruth. THE REASON FOR A FLOWER. Lavish illustrations depict the life cycle of a flower.
Hood, Susan. ROOTING FOR YOU: A MOVING UP STORY. A seed is hesitant to stick his head out of the dirt and sprout, but gets some encouragement.
Kraus, Ruth. THE CARROT SEED. In this classic tale, a small boy plants a seed and waits for it to come up.
Worth, Bonnie. OH SAY CAN YOU SEED? The Cat in the Hat examines various parts of a lower and explains photosynthesis.