Curated Children's Books to Read

We miss seeing you at the museum to explore our connections with nature in person. One of our favorite sources of inspiration as we create programs are well-written and illustrated children鈥檚 books. They contain a wealth of information presented in appealing and approachable ways. We always learn something new from a good book and hope that you do too as you share these resources with children.

Each book has a recommended age range. If the people in the books are racially diverse, we have noted that with a d (but most of the books do not have any humans in them). We will post book recommendations periodically. If you鈥檇 like a recommendation on a particular topic, please ask at museumed@colorado.edu.

Featured Books

Books about gardening


Written by Lola M Schaefer, illustrated by Lindsay George
Explore through the seasons how fruits and vegetables begin as flowers. Lift flaps to join a diverse cast of young gardeners as they discover the fruits of their garden work. 4鈥10 years old


Written by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
It鈥檚 all green up in the garden, but there is a busy world down in the dirt that is explored by a young girl and her grandmother in this book. 4鈥8 years old


Written by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Ashley Wolff
Be an 鈥榚nvironmental chef鈥 after reading this charming story with collage illustrations. 2鈥6 years old.


Written by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Another informative book illustrated by one of our favorite Boulder children鈥檚 book authors. 4鈥8 years old.

Face to Face with Caterpillars
Written by Darlyne A. Murawski
Spend enough time in the garden and you are bound to find yourself face to face with a moth or butterfly that is in its caterpillar stage of life. This book has lots of great photos. 3鈥10 years old.


Books about eggs

Written by Marilyn Singer and Illustrated by Emma Stevenson
The words and illustrations convey the wonder of eggs鈥攃ontainers in which a developing creature breathes, is nourished, and grows鈥攆rom a multitude of creatures. Ages 6-10
 

By Irene Kelly
Fun pictures and a conversational style tell stories of the diversity of bird eggs and nests鈥攆rom nests as big as cars, to eggs smaller than a dime. Gives details on how the birds location and lifestyle influence its nesting materials, shape and size. Ages 5-9
 
Written by Jennifer Ward and Illustrated by Steve Jenkins
Excellent science, accurate colorful collage illustrations, and playful poetry. Ages 4-8
 
By Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Brightly colored, simple illustrations and minimal text on die-cut pages. Covers basic concepts of time, opposites, and colors, along with the transformations of animal bodies. Ages 2-6
 

Books on topics related to CU Museum online exhibits


Written and illustrated by Helen Cowcher
Bright, delightful images of penguins and seals. 5鈥8 yrs.


Written by Ann Cooper, illustrated by Marjorie Leggett (both local to Boulder)
Stories, folklore, and activities. 8鈥12yrs


Written and illustrated by Keith Baker.
Colorful shapes and snakes. 4鈥8yrs


Some lovely books on topics underrepresented in children鈥檚 books


Written by Elena Fin, illustrated by Rossella Trionfetti
Bright and fun tales of plants in the wild and to raise at home. 8 yrs and up

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Written by Margret Wise Brown, illustrated by Christian Robinson
We are often asked about the dead animals in the museum. This book provides a gentle engagement with the concept for young children. 4鈥8 yrs


Written by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Emily Sutton
鈥溾he tiniest lives doing some of the biggest jobs鈥濃攁 concept children can easily relate to! 5鈥8 yrs


Books that explore evolution


Written and illustrated by Bob Barner
Bright and colorful images with simple text for younger, and more complex explanations for older, children. 2-8 years old
 

Written by Joyce Sidman, illustrated by Beckie Prange
Beautifully illustrated poems about survival鈥攄on鈥檛 we all need that now? 6-12 years old
 

Written and illustrated by Carolyn Fisher
Bright, clear pictures and funny text to explain basic science concepts. 4-8 years old
 

Written by Laurence Pringle, illustrated by Steve Jenkins
An amazing amount of information packaged in an approachable and fun way. 8-12 years old
 
Written by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Ralph Masiello
Both a scientific and silly introduction to animals beyond dinosaurs. 4-8 years old
 

Written and illustrated by Hannah Bonner
鈥淒elicious blend of fact and foolery鈥. There are four books in this series鈥攚e highly recommend all of them. 7 years and up