Looking for books to teach children about seeds and plants? This list of books emphasizes the role of seeds and describes plant life cycles.

Do you have any favorite books about seeds for kids? We’d love to hear your suggestions.

Note: Linked titles go to Amazon for further information and reviews. Just so you know, I am an affiliate with Amazon. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links, I will receive a small commission at no extra charge to you, the proceeds of which will help pay for maintaining this website.

Edit: You also might be interested in our new list of children’s books about gardening and plant science.

Updated 8/2019

Nonfiction

Beginning Reader

Seeds (Plant Parts series) by Vijaya Khisty Bodach

Simple text and photographs present the seeds of plants, how they grow, and their uses.

Age Range: 4 and up
Publisher: Capstone Press; 1st edition (January 1, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0736896236
ISBN-13: 978-0736896238

Pumpkins (First Step Nonfiction: Plant Life Cycles) by Robin Nelson

Perfect book to guide the beginning reader through the life-cycle of the pumpkin plant. Illustrated with close-up color photographs, this title takes the cycle to completion by showing the seeds in a ripe pumpkin at the end. It also has facts about pumpkins in the back.

Age Range: 4 and up
Publisher: Lerner Classroom (September 2008)
ISBN-10: 076134117X
ISBN-13: 978-0761341178

From Seed to Plant (Rookie Read-About Science) by Allan Fowler

Short sentences and controlled vocabulary make this a perfect choice for the beginning reader.

Age Range: 4 and up
Publisher: Childrens Pr (July 2001)
ISBN-10: 0516273078
ISBN-13: 978-0516273075

From Seed to Pumpkin (Welcome Books: How Things Grow) by Jan Kottke

Guides the beginning reader through the life-cycle of the pumpkin plant. Illustrated with close-up color photographs, the text consists of short sentences and controlled vocabulary. Lack some of the features of Pumpkins by Robin Nelson (above), but very similar.

Age Range: 4 and up
Publisher: Children’s Press (CT) (September 2000)
ISBN-10: 0516235095
ISBN-13: 978-0516235097

One Bean by Anne Rockwell and illustrated by Megan Halsey

Discusses the life cycle of a bean plant. Use it to accompany germinating and growing bean seed activities.

Age Range: 3 – 6 years
Publisher: Walker Childrens (April 1, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802775721
ISBN-13: 978-0802775726

Picture Books

A Seed is the Start by Melissa Stewart

Although the word “start” in the title and the pictures of sunflowers germinating on the cover suggests this books is about plant life cycles, with exception of a corn kernel germinating on pages 4-5 and an apple seed growing on pages 30-31, this book is about much more. In fact it is mainly about seed dispersal. Whether it is by wind, water, or animal taxi, author Melissa Stewart reveals the many, many ways seeds get around.

Age Range: 6 – 9 years
Publisher: National Geographic Children’s Books (February 13, 2018)
ISBN-10: 1426329776
ISBN-13: 978-1426329777

Seeds Move by Robin Page

Written in the increasingly popular two-level text, Seeds Move! explores many of the ways seeds move or disperse. The simpler, “story” text repeats rhythmically from page to page. A paragraph of denser, detailed text explains the specific examples shown in each illustration.

And what beautiful illustrations they are. It is easy to see why Robin Page received a Caldecott Honor in 2004 for What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

If you are looking for a nonfiction picture book about seed dispersal, look no further than Seeds Move! Young readers will plant themselves in their chairs when they open this book.

Age Range: 3 – 8 years
Publisher: Beach Lane Books (March 19, 2019)
ISBN-10: 1534409157
ISBN-13: 978-1534409156

Pumpkins by Ken Robbins

A photo-essay tour of the life cycle of a pumpkin, with a carving activity included.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press; First Edition edition (August 8, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596431849

Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson and photographs by Shmuel Thaler

Poetic text accompanies gorgeous photographs showing the life cycle of a pumpkin. I love this book because it isn’t afraid to show rot. See related activities at the book website.

Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 3
Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: Tricycle Press (August 7, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1582460787
ISBN-13: 978-1582460789

From Seed to Pumpkin (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1) (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) by Wendy Pfeffer and illustrated by James Graham Hale

The Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series is wonderful nonfiction for children. This title includes information about what a pumpkin needs to grow and simple activity suggestions.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: HarperCollins (August 17, 2004)
ISBN-10: 0064451909

Flip, Float, Fly!: Seeds on the Move by JoAnn Early Macken and illustrated by Pam Paparone

As the title suggests, lively action verbs describe how seeds get from place to to place. In the back is a two page visual glossary of age-appropriate botany terms and some notes about why and how seeds move, as well as illustrations of some common seeds.

Age Range: 5 and up
Publisher: Holiday House (March 15, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0823420434
ISBN-13: 978-0823420438

A Seed Is Sleepy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long

This absolutely gorgeous and well-researched book could be considered to be a coffee table at book if it weren’t for children.

Age Range: 5 – 10 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten – 5
Lexile Measure: 750L (What’s this?)
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Chronicle Books; First Edition edition (March 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0811855201
ISBN-13: 978-0811855204

From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons

Gail Gibbons is the queen of picture book nonfiction. She has a keen sense of what children need to know and how to say it so they will understand.

Age Range: 5 and up
Publisher: Holiday House; Reprint edition (March 1, 1993)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0823410250
ISBN-13: 978-0823410255

How a Seed Grows (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 1) by Helene J. Jordan and illustrated by Loretta Krupinski

Another in the Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science series, this one reveals how seeds grow into common plants.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: HarperCollins; Revised edition (January 26, 2000)
ISBN-10: 0064451070
ISBN-13: 978-0064451079

The Dandelion Seed by Joseph P. Anthony and illustrated by Cris Arbo

The story in this book about the seed not wanting to let go is in the realm of fiction, but the details of the life cycle of the dandelion are vivid.

Age Range: 4 and up
Publisher: Dawn Pubns (September 1, 1997)
ISBN-10: 188322067X
ISBN-13: 978-1883220679

A Dandelion’s Life (Nature Upclose) by John Himmelman

Dandelions are so accessible and children love them. They are a perfect plant for children to study life cycles. This book has beautiful illustrations and spot on text.

Age Range: 5 and up
Publisher: Children’s Press (CT) (March 1999)
ISBN-10: 0516264028
ISBN-13: 978-0516264028

How a Plant Grows (Crabapples) by Bobbie Kalman

Be prepared for a factual, scientific description of seeds and plants, including the parts of plants and stages of the life cycle. It is illustrated with a mixture of color photographs and drawings. Text is probably for 2nd -3rd – 4th graders, with vocabulary words such as photosynthesis, chlorophyll and glucose. Suggestions for hands-on activities in the back.

Series: Crabapples
Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company (March 15, 1997)
ISBN-10: 0865057281
ISBN-13: 978-0865057289

Seeds by Ken Robbins

Visually-appealing guide to different seeds and how they disperse. The illustrations are photographs shot with a white background (the cover gives you an idea).

Age Range: 6 and up
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (January 6, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0689850417
ISBN-13: 978-0689850417

The Magic School Bus Plants Seeds: A Book About How Living Things Grow by Patricia Relf and illustrated by John Speirs,based on series by Joanna Cole and illustrated by Bruce Degan

Walking the line between fiction and nonfiction, the Magic School Bus takes Ms. Frizzle’s class deep into the world of seeds.

Oh Say Can You Seed?: All About Flowering Plants (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) by Bonnie Worth and illustrated by Aristides Ruiz

The Cat in the Hat might not be the first book/character that comes into mind when you think of science, but it should be. Take a look at Random House’s The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library® and you will find a whole new way to introduce science to preschoolers and beginning readers.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Lexile Measure: 530L (What’s this?)
Series: Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library
Hardcover: 48 pages
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (March 27, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375810951
ISBN-13: 978-0375810954

Planting the Wild Garden by Kathryn O. Galbraith and illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin

Planting the Wild Garden is a lively picture book that would work equally well as a read aloud for a group or a quiet cuddle in a chair. This book is a wonderful, gentle introduction to the topic of seed dispersal.

Age Range: 6 and up
Grade Level: 1 and up
Lexile Measure: 490L (What’s this?)
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Peachtree Publishers; 1 edition (April 1, 2011)
ISBN-10: 1561455636
ISBN-13: 978-1561455638

How Does a Seed Sprout?: And Other Questions About Plants (Good Question!) by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Carol Schwartz

Melissa Stewart is a prolific author of children’s nonfiction, and she does a great job with this newer title. It is written in a question-and-answer format that is great for reluctant readers or for those last minute research projects. If you’d like to learn more, see our full review at Wrapped in Foil blog.

Age Range: 7 and up
Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books (January 7, 2014)
ISBN-10: 1454906715
ISBN-13: 978-1454906711

Activity Books

Junior Scientists: Experiment With Seeds (Science Explorer Junior) by Susan Heinrichs Gray

Briefly discusses the scientific method and then gives instructions for three experiments:

Do seeds need air to germinate?
Exploring the seed coat.
Which way do roots grow?

The book also encourages children to come up with their own experiments.

Age Range: 7 and up
Publisher: Cherry Lake Publishing (August 2010)
ISBN-10: 1602798354
ISBN-13: 978-1602798359

Middle Grade

The Seed Vault by Bonnie Juettner

Learn about how seed banks are being set up around the world to help protect plant diversity and our food crops.

Lexile Measure: 860L (What’s this?)
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: Norwood House Press Classroom (August 15, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1603570756
ISBN-13: 978-1603570756

Fiction

Wordless Book

The Giant Seed (Stories Without Words) by Arthur Geisert

Geisert’s wordless books follow the adventures of a community of cartoon pigs. In this version the pigs are threatened by the eruption of a volcano. The arrival of a giant dandelion just might save the day. Can you guess how?

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Series: Stories Without Words
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (May 8, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1592701159
ISBN-13: 978-1592701155

Fiction Picture Book

Anno’s Magic Seeds (Paperstar Book) by Mitsumasa Anno

Gardening requires math skills. As with many of his books, Anno walks the line between fiction and nonfiction when he intertwines a story about a wizard giving Jack some seeds with math challenges.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: Puffin Books (June 21, 1999)
ISBN-10: 0698116186
ISBN-13: 978-0698116184

The Carrot Seed 60th Anniversary Edition by Ruth Krauss and illustrated by Crockett Johnson

Will the carrot seed the boy planted ever grow? This classic picture book was first published in 1945!

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (December 28, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0064432106
ISBN-13: 978-0064432108

Sunflower House by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt

After planting sunflower seeds in a large circle in his yard, a young boy gets to experience the life cycle of the plants. Once the plants grow up, he and his friends play games inspired by their sunflower fort. One day, however, the sunflowers start to tip over. Is the house gone forever? Fictional story with many facts about seeds and plants.

Age Range: 4 – 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool – 3
Paperback: 32 pages
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers; 1st Voyager Books Ed edition (April 19, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0152019529
ISBN-13: 978-0152019525

Dandelion Adventures (Holiday Crafts for Kids) by L. Patricia Kite

Illustrated with delicate watercolors, the story follows what happens to seven dandelion seeds after they are scattered by the wind.

Age Range: 4 and up
Publisher: Millbrook Press (April 1, 1998)
ISBN-10: 0761300376
ISBN-13: 978-0761300373

The Empty Pot (An Owlet Book) by Demi

In this lovely picture book, the Emperor is having a competition to find who can grow the seeds he gives them. Can Ping make the seeds grow in time?

Age Range: 4 and up
Publisher: Square Fish; Reprint edition (September 15, 1996)
ISBN-10: 0805049002
ISBN-13: 978-0805049008

Miss Maple’s Seeds by Eliza Wheeler

Miss Maple gathers up seeds that haven’t found a place a grow and keeps them safe over the winter. In the spring she sends the seeds out to meet their destinies.

Miss Maple’s Seeds has all the ingredients to become a classic children’s book. It has a message about growing up that will resonate both with children and the adults who read to them, saying the biggest of trees come from small seeds. It also subtly incorporates the changes of the seasons to reinforce the theme.

Age Range: 3 – 5 years
Grade Level: Preschool – Kindergarten
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (April 4, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399257926
ISBN-13: 978-0399257926

Children’s Books About Seeds