10 Books about Magnets for Elementary Students
The invisible forces of magnetism are at work all around us, even as you read this sentence. To understand this concept, and how magnets work, can be difficult for students. These books about magnets will help make this concept more concrete.
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In addition to the Science Stations on Magnetism, we’ve compiled a fabulous booklist of ten books your students will love. Most of these fun, entertaining books are geared for students in kindergarten through third grade. They equip students with a solid understanding of concepts such as attraction, repulsion, and poles as well as different types of magnets like compasses, electromagnets, and more.
This booklist makes an excellent accompaniment to the Static Electricity and Magnetism Third Grade Science Stations and 5E Lesson Plans on Magnetic Forces which can be purchased separately or as part of a Third Grade Science Bundle.
The focus of the Magnetism portion of the Science Stations is on Next Generation Science Standards 3-PS2.A and includes the same concepts found in the booklist such as magnets, attraction, repulsion, poles, and much more.
These books fit naturally into the 3rd grade physical science unit on electric and magnetic interactions. For hands-on activities and station ideas to go with them, see my physical science guide for elementary students.
Magnetism Picture Books
What Makes a Magnet? ~ Franklyn Branley
Grade: PreK – 3
What makes a magnet a magnet? And why does it pick up a paper clip, but not a feather?
A fun and engaging way for students to learn the different parts of a magnet and how they work together. Teachers will love the many teaching points and experiments provided in the book. Students can continue the experiments at home!
Bonus: Step-by-step instructions for students to make their own magnets.
Magnets: Pulling Together, Pushing Apart ~ Natalie Rosinsky
Grade: K – 4
Have you stopped to think what is a magnet? Are there different kinds? Why do they do what they do?
Students learn about different types of magnets, Earth’s magnetic poles, motors, and compasses, and how they affect our lives. Through experiments that highlight the concepts of attraction and repulsion, students will understand how magnets work.
Bonus: Six investigational experiments included for real hands-on learning.
What Magnets Can Do ~ Alan Fowler
Grade: 1 – 2
Looking for a simple book that explores the vast array of magnets in the world?
With easy to understand explanations and bold photos depicting magnets and magnetic properties, students will discover how magnets work. They will learn about many daily items that involve magnets, from compasses to electromagnets, stereos to telephones, and everything in between.
Bonus: Includes a photo-rich glossary!
Magnets Push, Magnets Pull ~ David A. Adler
Grade: K – 3
Do you know what the world’s largest magnet is?
Of course you do, but do your students? With these easy-to-read text and lively illustrations, they will now! In fact, they will learn a lot about magnets: How they work, basic concepts of attraction and repulsion, and even how to make their own magnet!
Bonus: The glossary included will build quite the magnetic vocabulary.
The Magic School Bus – Amazing Magnetism
Grade: K-3
The Frizz and her class challenge Mr. O’Neatly’s class to a science contest on magnetism. Pretty straightforward, right? If you know anything about Magic School Bus, you know this is anything but!
A fun, entertaining read that will attract students’ attention. An in-depth look at magnetism to include domains, poles, magnetite, and videotape! Yes, you might have to explain what videotape is, but it is a great way to learn how magnets help us record things. There is not a magnetic concept left unexplored.
Bonus: Magic School Bus books are always filled with fun facts and experiments to try.
A Look at Magnets ~ Barbara Alpert
Grade: K-2
We all have magnets stuck to our fridge, but do we know why they stick?
With its clear explanations and bold photographs, this is a great lesson companion to students who would like to explore magnetism.
Bonus: Glossary included, plus an online resource for more magnetic fun!
The Shivers in the Fridge ~ Fran Manushkin
Grade: PreK – 3
Let’s face it, most magnets lead a pretty dull life. Not the Shivers. Their cold, dark lives are punctuated by earthquakes, bright lights, and monsters. Monsters that snatch family members away, until only one remains. Can he survive?
A hilarious, beautifully illustrated, adventurous read-aloud that will engage students and make them ask for more. The illustrations add a level of mystery to the story and students will work overtime figuring out just how the Shivers arrived in their frigid home in the first place.
Not strong on the concepts of magnetism, but a must-have addition to any lesson plan for the sheer joy it brings.
All Aboard Science Reader: Magnets ~ Anne Schreiber
Grade: 2-4
Is it magic? Or is it magnetism?
Through a journey that begins over 2,000 years ago in Turkey, students learn who discovered magnetism and the many different types of magnets in use today. Written for advanced readers, but engaging enough for some younger readers, too. The experiments included will help students fully understand the concepts presented in the book.
Bonus: Glossary included to help with the harder words.
Magnetic and Nonmagnetic ~ Angela Royston
Grade: 1-2
What makes an object magnetic? Does water stop magnetism? Do we use magnets every day?
These questions, and many more are answered through engaging facts and photos. Students learn the difference between magnetic and nonmagnetic materials and how magnets are used in the world around us.
Bonus: Students can perform the illustrated experiments on their own or in the classroom for better understanding.
Magnet Max ~ Monica Lozano Hughes
Grades: 1-3
Magnet Max loves his magnets, but his friend Nick thinks it’s all magic!
Students explore alongside Max and Nick as they discover how magnets work. A fun, rhyming read-aloud that teaches the concepts of magnetism. The colorful illustrations add a fun layer to the story and bring the characters to life.
A list of all 10 Books About Magnets in One Place
- Magnet Max ~ Monica Lozano Hughes
- Magnetic and Nonmagnetic ~ Angela Royston
- All Aboard Science Reader: Magnets ~ Anne Schreiber
- The Shivers in the Fridge ~ Fran Manushkin
- A Look at Magnets ~ Barbara Alpert
- The Magic School Bus – Amazing Magnetism
- Magnets Push, Magnets Pull ~ David A. Adler
- What Magnets Can Do ~ Alan Fowler
- Magnets: Pulling Together, Pushing Apart ~ Natalie Rosinsky
- What Makes a Magnet? ~ Franklyn Branley
Static Electricity and Magnetism Third Grade Science Stations
The focus is on NGSS 3-PS2.B and includes concepts such as static electricity, magnets, and positive and negative charges.
More information about Teaching Magnets to Elementary Students
In addition to these books about magnets, the Third Grade Science Stations and 5E Lesson Plans on Static Electricity and Magnetism have taken the guesswork out of how to plan what to teach for science. The focus of the Static Electricity and Magnetic Set of Stations is on NGSS 3-PS2.B and includes the same concepts found in the booklist such as static electricity, magnets, and positive and negative charges.
Also available is a new 5E Unit Plan about Magnetic Forces and a Design Challenge. This unit focuses on investigating magnetism by learning about the relationship of magnetic interactions between two objects. Throughout the unit, students identify, test and use the cause and effect relationship of magnetic forces to explain how magnets work.
You can see more in-depth information about the Third Grade Science Stations in this blog post. More information about the 5E Science Stations as well as examples of the Balanced and Unbalanced Forces Unit are also available.
3rd Grade Science Units
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Third Grade Science Stations BUNDLE
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Static Electricity 5E Unit Plan for Third Grade
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Static Electricity and Magnetism Third Grade Science Stations
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Balanced and Unbalanced Forces 5E Unit for Force and Motion Third Grade
$9.90
Jessica BOschen
Jessica is a teacher, homeschool parent, and entrepreneur. She shares her passion for teaching and education on What I Have Learned. Jessica has 16 years of experience teaching elementary school and currently homeschools her two middle and high school boys. She enjoys scaffolding learning for students, focusing on helping our most challenging learners achieve success in all academic areas.