Are you looking for some Rainforest children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension ideas? This list may be just what you are looking for!
The Rainforest are a wonderful theme and is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Rainforest books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Whether you like or dislike Rainforest, try these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. A Rainforest Habitat by Bobbie Kalman
Step into the lush and vibrant world of the rainforest with this book. A captivating and informative book that explores one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. As they journey deeper into the forest, readers will encounter a wide variety of creatures, both big and small, that thrive in this complex habitat. From the elusive jaguar to the tiny poison dart frog, each animal plays a vital role in the delicate balance of this unique ecosystem.
But the rainforest is also facing many challenges, including deforestation and climate change, that threaten the survival of these incredible creatures. This book not only introduces readers to the wonders of the rainforest, but also highlights the urgent need to protect this vital ecosystem for future generations. Full of fascinating facts, stunning illustrations, and a message of conservation.
Literacy Extensions:
- Rainforest Literature List
- Classroom Booklet: “Into the Rainforest”
- Rainforest Counting
- My Rainforest Story: Student Worksheets
2. A is for Anaconda y Anthony D. Fredericks
This alphabet book explores the world’s rainforests as it explains their important role and showcases their wonders. The author gives an A-Z tour of the many facets and fascinating facts of these tropical environments. Exotic inhabitants including the basilisk lizard and kinkajou are highlighted, along with explanations of forest structure such as understory and canopy.
In A is for Anaconda young readers will meet the many endangered plant and animal species, understand the progression of a food web, and appreciate why the rainforest has been called the “world’s medicine chest.”
Literacy Extensions:
- “Our Rainforest Animals” Classroom Book
- “Rainforest Counting” Student Booklet
- Venn Diagram Comparing Rainforest Animals
- Rainforest Build a Two Addend Number Sentence
3. What Do You Find in a Rainforest Tree by Megan Kopp
This book tells readers all about what they may find in the rainforest. From the sunlit-filled canopy to the shaded forest floor, readers will discover how what a rainforest tree provides.
These trees provide shelter, water, food, and other essential resources to meet the needs of a variety of living things in the rainforest.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “All About Rainforest”
- Rainforest Story Parts Worksheet
- Paper Plate Rainforest Snake Art Project
- Rainforest Number & Ten Frame Match Game
4. Rainforests by Kate Riggs
The popular Seedlings series offers irresistible introductions to animals, birds, sea life, insects, eco systems, and an array of transportation. Written in a friendly voice, filled with dynamic photos, and featuring text crafted for the youngest of readers, these books spotlight the bodies, behaviors, and habitats of living things and the parts, operation, and roles of vehicles.
As introductions to informational text, these titles will plant the seeds of knowledge! A kindergarten-level introduction to rainforests, covering their climate, plant and animal life, and such defining features as their tall trees.
Literacy Extensions:
- Rainforest Literature List
- Rainforest Story Parts: Student Worksheet
- Rainforest Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Monkey Rainforest Hat Art Project
5. The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell
Imaginations will soar from the forest floor, up through the canopy and back down again, following the circle of life in this clever adaptation of the song “The Green Grass Grew All Around.”
The jungle comes alive as children learn about a wide variety of the animals such as jaguars, emerald tree boas, leafcutter ants, sloths, poison dart frogs, toucans, and bats. Along plants like the kapok trees, liana vines, and bromeliads living in the lush Amazon rainforest.
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Were in the Rainforest” Classroom Book
- Rainforest Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Rainforest Art Project
- Rainforest Add & Subtract Match Game
6. Waiting on Mr. Sloth by Katy Hudson
The sun is out. The temperature is hot. And Sasha has everything packed and ready for a full day of swimming! But Mr. Sloth is taking for-eh-ver! Sasha does NOT like to wait. However, her best friend is never in a hurry. Will Sasha learn to be patient, or will her quick temper ruin a memorable summer outing?
Katy was raised in Middlesbrough and started her Illustration career as a small child drawing on freshly emulsion walls around the house! Her parents quickly dissuaded this medium and encouraged drawing with pencil and paper instead.
Literacy Extensions:
- Rainforest Word Bank
- Rainforest Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Rainforest Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Rainforest Roll & Cover Math Games
7. Sleep Like a Tiger by Mary Logue
A Perfect Tale for a Night Person like YOU! When the night falls, you keep yawning, rubbing eyes and nodding off, but you insist you are not tired because you just don’t feel like crawling into bed. Sounds familiar, huh?
You are certainly not alone. At the beginning of Mary Logue’s Sleep Like a Tiger, the sleepless girl asked, ‘Does everything in the world go to sleep?’ As you read on, you hear the parents talking about sleep habits of different animals. Together with the dreamy and fairytale-like illustrations, you gradually become unable to tell between the realms of sleep and awake. A while later, you gradually fall asleep… like a tiger (yawn).
Literacy Extensions:
- “Rainforest Senses” Student Booklet
- Rainforest Make a Short Vowel Word
- Rainforest Sight Word Games
- Rainforest Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. Over In The Jungle by Marianne Berkes
Learning becomes fun with this book about the ecosystem and animals of the jungle! In Over in the A Rainforest Rhyme, amazing artwork will inspire children in classrooms and at home to appreciate ecology, environment, and world around us!
The perfect jungle animal book, Over in the A Rainforest Rhyme introduces habitats for kids, and doubles as a fun, interactive, counting book for kids. Young readers will sing, clap, and count their way among monkeys that hoot, ocelots that pounce, parrots that squawk, and boas that squeeze! It won’t take much to have your child joyfully hooting and squawking too.
Literacy Extensions:
- “If I Were a Rainforest” Classroom Book
- Rainforest Letter & Sound Match Game
- Rainforest Build a Word
- Rainforest Numbers & Ten Frames Math Game
Finally, there are so many Rainforest children’s books you can choose from. From fiction to nonfiction, the list of Rainforest 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.”
