9. Exploring Invertebrates: 10 Picture Books to Introduce Animal Characteristics

Introducing invertebrates in your classroom can give your students a more complete picture of animals and their unique characteristics. However, it can be challenging to distinguish the differences between some groups, so consider using picture books to help you illustrate those differences!

In this episode, I review 10 picture books (actually 43 books!) that introduce a variety of invertebrates, or animals without backbones. Animals such as snails, earthworms, spiders, daddy longlegs, and more are explored through these fantastic titles and series. Press play to hear about I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton, The Snail’s Spell by Joanne Ryder, Are You a Centipede? by Judy Allen, and more.

Books in this episode 📚

1. About Insects by Cathryn Sill
2. An Earthworm’s Life by John Himmelman
3. Do Frogs Drink Hot Chocolate? How Animals Keep Warm by Etta Kaner
4. I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton
5. A Daddy Longlegs Isn’t a Spider by Melissa Stewart
6. The Snail’s Spell by Joanne Ryder
7. Are You a Centipede? By Judy Allen
8. A Beetle is Shy by Dianna Hutts Aston
9. How to Hide a Butterfly and Other Insects by Ruth Heller
10. Good Trick, Walking Stick! by Sheri Mabry Bestor

(Disclaimer: as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you)

Resources mentioned 💚

1. Episode 7: Animal Characteristic Breakdown: Reaching Your Curricular Goals by Teaching with Animals
2. 11 Fantastic Life Cycle Books by John Himmelman

Show Notes: https://naturallyteaching.com/episode9

🗂 Find activities easily with the Naturally Teaching Activity Index

🛒 TpT Shop: Naturally Teaching

💚 Get more tips and tricks on the website: NaturallyTeaching.com

📸 Follow along on Instagram: @naturally.teaching

💻 Check us out on Facebook: @naturally.teaching