Check out my favorite science inquiry books for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten students to get started on their science learning journey and to introduce the science center at the beginning of the school year. These books are perfect for teaching about being a scientist theme, teaching about science tools and inquiry skills, and the 5 senses. These titles are great, and more will be added as they are discovered.
Check out all the science units here!
This post contains affiliate links.This means I earn a tiny commission when you use my links at no cost to you.
Science Inquiry Books
Being a Scientist
See real images of kids using the scientific process in their classroom. This is the perfect book to introduce science vocabulary and the basics.
This printable read aloud is included in the Being a Scientist unit. It is made for little learners learning about science and what that may look like in the classroom.
Show your students many different science tools and what they are used for. Students will love the bright images and simple text to learn about these science tools.
Introduce readers to science safety rules and vocabulary for the science center. Students can get an understanding of why it is important to stay safe in the science area.
Exploring Scientific Concepts
I have included nonfiction and fiction titles for your classroom. It is important to offer fiction and nonfiction books in the science center to immerse students in variety.
Weight
Teach your students about math and science concepts with this simple book about weight.
Learn about balances, scales, and weight measurement tools.
Some animal friends got together on a warm day to enjoy a boat ride. Which animal friend will sink the boat?
Elephant and mouse want to play on the seesaw, but the seesaw just won’t come down for the mouse. How many friends will have to help mouse to balance the seesaw?
For more books about measurement, check out this book list.
Length
How Do You Measure Length and Distance?
Learn about tools used for measuring things like distance, height, length, and more.
Length
Compare animals to common objects so that students can get the hang of short, long, and measurement skills and vocabulary.
The ants are having a big celebration, but they don’t know how to prepare. Who is coming? How big are these bugs? Will they be able to complete the roller coaster?
Patterns
You can use this book to introduce patterns to students. It is a great nonfiction option for the classroom.
Read about patterns in the animal kingdom with this fun nonfiction book. It has simple vocabulary with bright pictures for your readers.
For more pattern books, click here.
Size
Help make this math concept make sense to little learners with easy-to-read vocabulary. Students will love the real-life images to compare.
Grab this board book to learn about size comparison. Plus, it features Spanish text, too!
Capacity
A great book to introduce capacity to little learners. It has simple text and pictures to keep your students engaged while learning.
Birdie needs a house, but she has to find one that isn’t too tall, too short, too fat, and so on. Students will be engaged throughout to find out if she finds the perfect house for her.
Sorting
Show students ways to sort objects in this nonfiction text written for young children. It has simple vocabulary and fun pictures to engage students.
Bring math skills to life with this cute book about comparisons and sorting. The illustrations are silly and your students will love them.
For more books about sorting, head to this blog post.
My 5 Senses & Gingerbread 5 Senses
Teaching about the five senses is so important in an early childhood classroom. I like to do a Five Senses Unit at the beginning of the year and then again around the holidays with the Gingerbread Five Senses Science Unit.
This series is one of my favorites to use with my little learners to teach about the five senses! They pack in a ton of information in simple-to-read text, easy-to-understand vocabulary, and bright pictures to captivate young children.
Look, Listen, Taste, Touch, and Smell
Introduce the 5 senses and the body parts that help complete this process.
Join 5 children as they explore their senses in these lively pictures and a great nonfiction text.
Grab your shoes and join this little girl on her listening walk. She didn’t realize all the things that were going on around her until she slowed down and listened. This is a fiction option.
This cute fiction story about really listening is such a nice addition to your book list for a sense of hearing. Grandfather gives the child a shell, and she has to listen very carefully to hear the sea.
For more 5 senses books, click here.
Teaching students about scientific inquiry doesn’t have to be boring; it can be filled with great books and resources to make it more engaging and fun. You can use these books for read alouds and then set them out for students to look at in the science center. It may help them remember what a tool was used for or spark their interest to ask a new question.
Find these science units and MORE in the bundle!
Love these science inquiry books? Pin this image!
For more of my favorite books, check out my themedBook List Blog Seriesthat features themed book lists to accompany your lessons and activities! These are sure to keep your library shelves full! If there is a book list for a theme you need, just let us know so we can create it for you!
