14 Fun and Engaging Plant Life Cycle Books for Kids
Plants are all around us, from the flowers and trees to the vegetables we eat. These plant life cycle books for elementary students explore the science behind plants, including their parts, how they grow, and what purpose they serve.
These children’s books about plants have beautiful illustrations and are easy for young readers to comprehend and even read independently. These books are perfect additions to our Plant and Animal Life Cycles Third Grade Science Stations.
Plant Life Cycle Books for Elementary Students
Each of these plant life cycle books for elementary students is a great option for young readers wanting to explore the plants and flowers that make up the world around them. Below, we have noted the title and grade range and given you a short book description.
From Seed to Plant – Gail Gibbons
Grade: Pre-K – 3
This book briefly introduces pollination, seed dispersal, and growth from seed to plant. Simple language and bright illustrations make this book a great way for young learners to explore plants. It even includes a fun seed-planting project idea.
The Amazing Life Cycle of Plants – Kay Barnham & Maddie Frost
Grade: K-3
Explore the journey from seed to sapling and beyond. This book has charming illustrations and engaging texts that make this book a favorite for children. It also includes notes for parents and teachers at the end to encourage more exploration and learning.
Flowers (Plant Parts) – Vijaya Khisty Bodach
Grade: K-1
Discover the science of flowers! This book includes full-color photographs and easy-to-follow text that introduces young readers to the basics of botany. This book is designed to help new readers read independently, making it a great choice for any child.
National Geographic Readers: Plants – Kathryn Williams
Grade: PreK- K
Readers of all ages will learn about plants, including how they grow, as well as the different parts of plants, seeds, and flowers. This book is full of beautiful photographs and scientific facts about plants.
TIME for Kids: How Plants Grow – Dona Herweck Rice
Grade: 1-2
Readers will learn about the parts of the plant, including seeds, roots, and leaves, as well as the steps to make plants grow. This book includes clear, vivid photos and simple, informative text.
What Makes a Plant? – Christina Hill
Grade: 1-2
This book teaches all about the plant life cycle and what plants need to grow from tiny seeds to beautiful flowers and gigantic trees. This book has vibrant images and easy-to-read text. This book includes an engaging science activity, as well as practice problems to further students learning.
National Geographic Readers: Seed to Plant – Kristin Baird Rattini
Grade: PreK-1
This lively, educational reader explores plants from seed pollination to plant growth. This book includes careful text and beautiful photographs and also explores what plants need to thrive.
Seeds (Plant Parts) – Vijaya Khisty Bodach
Grade: K-1
Discover the beautiful science of seeds, including what they are, how they spread, and how they grow! This book includes full-color photos and easy-to-follow text that allows young readers to read independently.
Discover the Fascinating World of Plants from Flowers and Fruit to Plants That Sting – David Burnie
Grade: 3-7
This book is an original and exciting look at the fascinating world of plants. Real-life photographs of flowers, fruits, seeds, and leaves offer an “eyewitness” view of plant anatomy and growth.
The Tiny Seed – Eric Carle
Grade: PreK-3
This classic Eric Carle story follows the life cycle of a flower, told through the adventures of a tiny seed. It even includes a detachable piece of seed-embedded paper that readers can plant and watch bloom into their very own wildflowers.
The Vegetables We Eat – Gail Gibbons
Grade: K-3
Colorful watercolors and straightforward text in this book explore up close and personal with vegetables, including how they grow, get to stores, and how many kinds there are.
The Tree Book for Kids and Their Grownups – Gina Ingoglia
Grade: 2-3
How do trees grow? Why do leaves change? This book answers kids’ tree-related questions in an easy-to-understand way. This book is illustrated with beautiful botanical watercolor images, including life-size depictions of leaves, flowers, and seeds.
How a Seed Grows – Helene J. Jordan
Grade: PreK – 3
This easy-to-read picture book shows how little seeds become the plants and trees surrounding us. This book also includes a find out more activity section with a simple experiment encouraging children to discover what seeds need to grow.
The Magic and Mystery of Trees – Jen Green
Grade: 2-3
This book explores the life cycle of trees and their ecosystems, blending facts with stunning illustrations. It encourages kids to think about how plants support life on Earth.
Books are a great resource for elementary students to understand and explore the world of plant life cycles. Not only can they learn about the basics of this process, but they can also gain an appreciation for the complex interactions that occur between plants and their environment.
Do you have any favorite picture books about plant life cycles that you love to read with your students? I’d love to hear about them below!
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.