15 Force and Motion Picture Books to Engage Young Learners
One way to engage students in teaching about difficult science concepts like Force and Motion is to help them relate the new concepts to the world around them. Books are an engaging way to enhance lessons and drive home concepts. Here is an excellent Force and Motion booklist that focuses on concepts such as push, pull, inertia, gravity, friction, wind power, and speed.
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Most of these Force and Motion picture books are geared toward students in Kindergarten through Third grade. They are fun, easy for students to read on their own or for you to read aloud to them. Vibrant, colorful illustrations bring another layer of teaching that students will love.
This list makes an excellent accompaniment to the Third Grade Science Stations and 5E Lesson Plans on Force and Motion, which can be purchased separately or as part of a Third Grade Science Bundle. The focus of the Force and Motion Science Stations is on NGSS 3-PS2.A and includes the same concepts found in the booklist such as push, pull, inertia, gravity, friction, wind power, and speed.
Force and Motion Picture Books
Newton and Me ~ Lynne Mayer
Grade: K-3
One Saturday morning, a dog named Newton wakes his boy for a day filled with fun. Along the way, they discover the wonderful world of force and motion.
Through fun, easy to read rhyme, students learn the laws of force and motion. Can the ball move on its own? How does grass affect the ball’s motion? What role does gravity play in a truck’s speed?
Included in the book are extra activities For Creative Minds. The website for the book also includes teaching activities and interactive quizzes.
And Everyone Shouted, “Pull!” ~ Claire Llewellyn
Grade: Pre-K-3
Farmer and the animals need to get to the market, but they run into a few obstacles along the way.
A great book for students to learn about the different forces of physics needed for movement. Will the animals need to push or pull to get up the hill or out of the mud?
The end of the book has a further explanation about forces, a “useful words” glossary, and “fun facts”.
Oscar and the Cricket ~ Jeff Waring
Grade: Pre-K – 3
Need a little help teaching your students about movement? Oscar is the cat you need.
Students will love learning with Oscar through various activities that will show them different types of forces needed for movement. Bonus: The back of the book contains supplemental activities for more science fun!
Give It a Push! Give it a Pull! ~ Jennifer Boothroyd
Grade: 1-4
Force is at work all around us, all the time. A student pushes a friend on a swing. Another student pulls on a rubber band to launch a water balloon. But, do we really know what force is?
This is an engaging book that teaches students the physical laws of force and motion and how they impact both.
The book contains a glossary, a “ball-toss” game, and a list of additional books and resources to explore more.
The Magic School Bus Plays Ball ~ Joanna Cole
Grade: 1 – 3
A Science book list is not complete without The Magic School Bus. Every student loves the hilarious adventures of Ms. Frizzle and her students.
In this book, students will learn about force and friction in an original and exciting story. Plus, there are lots of hands-on activities for students to apply what they’ve learned and discover more.
Motion: Push and Pull, Fast and Slow ~ Darlene Stille
Grade: K – 4
What is motion? Changing places from where I am to where I want to be? Do I move in straight lines or curved lines? Up or down? Forward or backward? How does speed affect my motion?
A fun exploration of forces and motion to include speed, inertia, direction, and gravity. More focused on speed and friction than on pushing and pulling.
Lots of great experiments, fun facts, and more resources to bring students’ learning experience to the fullest.
Roller Coaster ~ Marla Frazee
Grade: Preschool – 3
Students will love this thrilling minute-by-minute recreation of a roller coaster ride! They will explore every climb and dive with the pony-tailed girl in the front car.
This thrilling ride will teach students about force, motion, and gravity in a way they won’t soon forget!
This makes a great read-aloud and allows teachers to ask students questions about how roller-coasters work and what forces are used during each part of the ride.
Forces Make Things Move ~ Kimberly Bradley
Grade: K – 4
A detailed explanation of forces and motion through fun, vibrant pictures, and text.
Friction, speed, gravity, inertia. Students learn how each of these play parts in the bigger picture of force and motion.
Bonus activities to explore friction and more included.
Eyewitness: Force and Motion
Level: 3 – 7
Need a book that explores force and motion on a deeper, advanced level?
In Eyewitness, students will gain a deeper understanding of force and motion as they explore ancient and modern examples of how they are applied.
This book has been called “a museum between the covers of a book.” Students will love the pictures and the lessons on force and motion.
Move It!: Motion, Forces and You
Grade: K – 3
Loaded with hands-on activities and facts that will engage your students!
Students will love the experiments for their fun, teachers love them for how easy it is to set them up!
Simple explanations, colorful pictures, and an abundance of activities.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind ~ William Kamkwamba
Grade: 1 – 3
William Kamkwamba knows desperate situations. He also knows how to overcome them.
A great read-aloud story that will teach students about the force of wind power and how it relates to motion and electricity.
William Kamkwamba’s story will inspire students with a real-life example of overcoming obstacles.
Equal Shmequal ~ Virginia Kroll
Grade: PreK – 3
Does size and strength impact force? If a mouse plays tug-of-war against a bear, who will win?
In this richly illustrated book, students learn about balance in force and motion. Mouse and her friends discover, through mathematics and problem-solving, how to create two equally balanced teams to play tug-of-war. Will it be meat-eaters vs. plant-eaters? Or is there a better way to balance the teams?
At the end of the book, students will learn the four definitions of ‘equal’ defined by the worlds of math, art, science, and team sports.
More Force and Motion Books Your Students Might Enjoy
More Information about Teaching Force and Motion
The Third Grade Science Stations and 5E Lesson Plans on Force and Motion have taken the guesswork out of how to plan what to teach for science. The focus of the Force and Motion Science Stations is on NGSS 3-PS2.A and includes the same concepts found in the booklist such as push, pull, inertia, gravity, friction, wind power, and speed.
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.
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.