Picture books about motion

The days are numbered until school begins. You know, now that it is August 1. Some of us have already made our ways back to the classroom. I have already gone in and arranged tables, cubbies and bookshelves. I need to get a feel for how the room will best meet my needs and the needs of the kids. I need time to just look at the room and think. I also need this "think time" when it comes to books.

I love how the summer gives me time to think about books. During my last library visit, I took time to check out a number of picture books about motion. Motion is a first grade science standard in Ohio and I know my students will want to get their hands on books about the topic once we explore it this year. I know we will add baskets to our library throughout the year and why not add it as we explore science.
Here's what I found:

Motion: Push and Pull, Fast and Slow


This was my one read-aloud for motion last year because it was in at the public library( I always end up at the public library for ss and science topics. I guess I like variety). It has a table of contents, fun facts on each page and experiment ideas towards the end of the book. Each page spread addresses a different topic related to motion (speed, direction, friction,inertia,gravity etc) The short amount of text on each page is appropriate for first grade but some of the topics are beyond (I feel)first grade. I will still check it out and use some of the pages for read aloud. I know I can personally suggest it to my stronger readers.

And Everyone Shouted, "Pull!"


I like this book about motion because I think first graders will be able to read it especially after hearing it. This is a story of how the animals on a farm help a farmer deliver his goods to a local market. The animals (who have conversation through word bubbles...reminds me of Mo Willems books) discuss pushing, pulling and force throughout the story. They run into some trouble when the wheels of the cart get stuck in some mud and when everybody pulls they are able to move. It seems like a great story to begin talking about motion. I can see kids coming back to it because it has word bubbles along with a short storyline on each page. I may suggest kids pretending to be characters and reading the word bubbles as they "play" with this book.

Energy in Motion


I like this book for a few reasons. It helps me connect the energy and motion(both topics addressed in first grade curriculum). It makes connections to objects in motion that kids understand and already know about. I have a feeling my students will want to explore swinging, somersaults, kicking and flinging rubber bands like all the kids inside this rookie reader book. Along with the first two books, it has a short amount of text per page and is a book some first graders can come back to on their own.