Back to school is the perfect time to grab a good book, especially one that inspires curiosity and wonder. These back to school science books are more than just fun read-alouds. They’re great tools for setting the tone of your science class, introducing NGSS-aligned topics, and helping students build background knowledge. Whether you’re teaching about observations, the scientific method, or just building classroom community, these science picture books are the perfect first step.
Why Use Picture Books in Science?
Picture books in science aren’t just for younger grades—they’re powerful tools to introduce big ideas in accessible ways. Reading a story helps students visualize science concepts, make personal connections, and naturally build vocabulary. Plus, using these back to school science books helps you ease into content while still covering NGSS crosscutting concepts like patterns and cause and effect.
Back to School Science Books to Start the Year
“There will be times when you walk into a room
and no one there is quite like you.“
Back-to-school season can be a time of anxiety for many students. Starting a new school year brings many unknowns, so I love this back to school science books, The Day You Begin, by Jacqueline Woodson.
Use this picture book to set the tone for your classroom. This book reminds students that we are all different! Whether because of skin color, religion, disability, or personality, we have unique traits that make us who we are.
Ever have an idea and not know what to do with it?
This is a perfect back to school science books because it will inspire your students to think big and see what can happen with those BIG ideas.
Use this in science class during the back to school season or before you teach a design and engineering unit to motivate students to think big!
Add Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey to your first days of school picture book pile. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous and illustrate a summer in Maine. The illustrations of nature will warm any science teacher’s heart.
Read it on the first day of school and follow up with lessons on making observations and inferences.
The Magical Yet by Jacqueline Woodson is today’s version of The Places You’ll Go. This story brings us down memory lane of learning and growing from mistakes.
This back to school science books is perfect for your class as it provides a message of turning negatives into positives and how often it can take time to learn and do things successfully.
You could follow up this story by talking about different scientists who had to persevere to make their discoveries.
More Science Picture Books to Spark Curiosity
If you’re looking to expand your science library or want to focus on NGSS skills like asking questions, observing, and making sense of the world, these back to school science books are great additions to your first-week plans.
Ada Twist, Scientist – A Back to School Favorite
If you’re looking to foster scientific curiosity from day one, Ada Twist, Scientist is a perfect back to school science book. Ada’s endless questions and bold experiments introduce the scientific method in a relatable way for young learners. Use this story to kick off discussions on observation, questioning, and trial-and-error.
👉 Grab Ada Twist, Scientist on Amazon
NGSS tie-in: Practices of Science and Engineering – Asking Questions and Defining Problems.
What Is Science? – A First Week Read-Aloud
Kick off your science class with this beautifully simple question: What is science? This back to school science books by Rebecca Kai Dotlich helps students see science as something they already do—observe, question, and explore. It’s a gentle, engaging way to open up classroom discussions and create a shared understanding of what science means.
👉 Grab What Is Science? on Amazon
NGSS tie-in: Practices of Science – Asking questions and defining problems.
The Most Magnificent Thing – Growth Mindset for Young Scientists
Back to school means building classroom culture, and The Most Magnificent Thing is the perfect tool. This back to school science books shows how persistence and problem-solving are part of every scientist’s journey. It’s a great way to introduce the engineering design process—with humor and heart.
👉 Grab The Most Magnificent Thing on Amazon
NGSS tie-in: Engineering Design – Defining and solving problems through iteration.
The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps – Learning Through Observation
Introduce your students to a real scientist who changed the world by quietly watching and wondering. The Watcher highlights Jane Goodall’s life and how careful observation and patience can lead to major discoveries. This book works especially well if you’re introducing life science or ecosystems later in the year.
NGSS tie-in: Life Science – Interactions, observations, and evidence-based conclusions.
Over and Under the Pond – Exploring Ecosystems Through Story
This back to school science books story from Kate Messner is perfect for introducing ecosystems, habitats, and food chains. Over and Under the Pond gives students a rich visual experience while laying the groundwork for making scientific observations in nature. It’s a calm, engaging read for the first few days of school.
👉 Grab Over and Under the Pond on Amazon
NGSS tie-in: Ecosystems – Interdependent relationships in the environment.
Cece Loves Science – A Fun Introduction to the Scientific Method
Cece is curious, confident, and ready to test her ideas—exactly the message you want during your first week of science! In Cece Loves Science, students follow Cece as she forms a hypothesis, gathers data, and runs an experiment. It’s a lighthearted way to introduce the scientific method and celebrate students’ own questions.
👉 Grab Cece Loves Science on Amazon
NGSS tie-in: Practices of Science – Planning and conducting investigations.
I hope this is the best school year yet. Looking to add more books to your science classroom library?
Other back to school science topics:
