Are you looking for some Flowers children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Flowers children’s books are filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Flowers books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you love the Flowers or not, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
The author’s brilliant collages turn the simple life cycle of a flower into an exciting story. In autumn, a strong wind blows flower seeds high in the air and carries them far across the land. One by one, many of the seeds are lost. Some are burned by the sun, or fallen into the ocean, or even eaten by birds.
But some survive the long winter and, come spring, sprout into plants, facing new dangers. They could be trampled by playing children, picked as a gift for a friend. Soon only the tiniest seed remains, growing into a giant flower and, when autumn returns, sending its own seeds into the wind to start the process over again.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Our Tiny Seeds”
- I See Flowers Number & Color Word Student Booklet
- The Tiny Seed Art Project
- Flowers Counting Math Games
2. Ten Seeds by Ruth Brown
This book offers lovely illustrations and a clever presentation of nature’s life cycle. The author follows ten sunflower seeds and the fate that befalls each one of them.
Some seeds are eaten by a bird or a mouse, while some shoots are nibbled by slugs. The story continues until finally one flower actually blooms. When it bloom it gives the little child ten seeds to plant anew.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “A Flowers Life”
- How Does a Seed Grow Graphic Organizer
- Flowers Symbol & Sound Match Game
- Flowers Roll & Cover Dice Math Game
3. Flower Garden by Eve Bunting
A rhyming verse carries this brief story of an urban African-American girl and her father. They want to put together a colorful gift for the little girl’s mother. They buy plants, potting soil, and a window box at the supermarket, ride the bus to their apartment, and put it all together.
The wonderful, warm colored illustrations of the story, presents a scene from novel angles. They depict a loving family with a sense of intimacy, sincerity, and joy.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “Flowers”
- Student Booklet: “I See Flowers”
- Flowers Counting: How Many Flowers BOOM Cards
- My Flowers Story: Student Worksheets
4. The Life Cycle of a Flower by Molly Aloian
The Life Cycle of a Flower looks at the growth of a flowering plant from seed to the time it is a mature plant capable of producing new seeds. Very good informational book for students to learn everything there is to know about flowers.
Great for any age students studying flowers and life cycles. Perfect for a teacher to do an activity on learning how to plant and grow flowers.
Literacy Extensions:
- Flowers Literature List
- Flowers Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Flowers Roll I! Read It! Short Vowels
- Paper Plate Flower Art Project
5. How Flowers Grow by Emma Helbrough
A simple book for students beginning to read about flowers. The book explains the basics of flowers and how they grow. It contains unique and interesting facts about some flowers.
The pictures are brilliantly colored and full-paged which is perfect for holding the attention of the intended age group. There is a bit of humor thrown in as well
Literacy Extensions:
- Flowers Word Bank
- Flowers Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Flowers Life Cycle Booklet
- Flowers Number & Ten Frames
6. Jack’s Garden by Henry Cole
Building on a rhyme that will be familiar to many children, author-illustrator Cole creates an enticing guide to creating a garden. This book illustrates and describes the process of making and nurturing a garden. Each page and each step provides pictures and labels of items you would need for a garden.
It is kind of like a mini field guide and introduction to gardening for kids in a storybook format. The final illustration presents a satisfied-looking boy surrounded by a lush, bird-filled flower garden. The concluding page of gardening suggestions serves as a springboard to books with more specific guidelines.
Literacy Extensions:
- “How to Plant a Flower” Classroom Book
- Flowers Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Flowers Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Flowers Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
In this perennial classic by Caldecott Honor winning author Lois Ehlert, little ones learn the colors of the rainbow as they watch a plants grow in a beautifully vibrant garden.
Through brilliant, textured cut paper collages, the story follows the progress of a mother and daughter in their backyard. They plant bulbs, seeds, and seedlings and nurture their growth into flowers. Bold, spare text and dazzling illustrations will inspire readers to take a closer look at the natural world and maybe even start a garden of their own.
Literacy Extensions:
- “All About Flowers” Classroom Book
- Flowers Make a Short Vowel Word
- Flowers Sight Word Game
- Flowers Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Sunflower House by Eve Bunting
What a fun rhyming book about sunflowers. A family plants sunflower seeds in a circle and they grow all summer long. It makes a nice house for the boy of to play in with his friends. It’s the perfect house until the flowers start to fall over heavy with seeds.
The artwork is beautiful and is about living with a garden or plants. The kids created a new little world. It’s a delightful beginning book for children.
Literacy Extensions:
- Flowers Student Report
- Flowers Patterns BOOM Cards
- Flowers Letter & Sound Match Game
- Flowers Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Flowers children’s books you can choose from. From Flowers fiction to nonfiction, the list of books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
