Unit 3 People and Nature
The Gardener   The Flower Garden by Eve Bunting (Harcourt, 1994) An urban girl and her father buy supplies to plant a surprise window box for the child’s mother. Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (Viking Press, 1982) As a child, Great-aunt Alice Rumphius resolved that she would go to faraway places, live by the sea, and make the world more beautiful—and she does all three things. Linnea’s Windowsill Garden by Christina Bjork, translated by Joan Sandin (R & S Books, 1988) In this book, Linnea takes you on a tour of her indoor garden and tells how she grows the plants she loves.
Pushing Up the Sky   The Gigantic Turnip by Niamh Sharkey, adapted from Aleksei Tolstoy (Barefoot Books, 1999) In this Russian folktale, a turnip grows so large that the old man who planted it needs the help of several others pull it up. The Great Ball Game by Joseph Bruchac (Dial Books, 1994) The Birds and the Animals decide to play a game to determine who is better. Thanks to Bat, who plays both sides, the Animals win, and the Birds must go south every winter. The Earth Under Sky Bear’s Feet: Native American Poems of the Land by Joseph Bruchac (Putnam Publishing, 1995) Sky Bear, also known as the Big Dipper, tells in these twelve poems what she sees and hears as she circles the sky each night.
The Night Letters   In the Park by Graham Meadows (Rigby, 1993) Children discover different animals and insects in the park. There’s a Hair in My Dirt by Gary Larson (Harper Perennial, 1998) When a worm complains of being a worm, his father tells him a story about the power of nature, and the importance of all players—including the worms. Joyful Noise by Paul Fleischman (HarperCollins, 1992) This Newbery-Award-winning collection of choral readings focuses on the topic of insects.
A Symphony of Whales   Adventure on Klickitat Island by Hilary Horder Hippely (Puffin, 2000) In this illustrated poem, a boy and his teddy bear rescue a group of animals stranded in a storm. Whales’ Songs by Dyan Sheldon (Puffin, 1997) Enthralled by her grandmother’s story of whales singing in the sea long ago, Lili hopes to see them herself and to hear their mysterious songs. Secrets of Sound: Studying the Calls and Songs of Whales, Elephants, and Birds (Scientists in the Field) by April Pulley Sayre (Houghton Mifflin, 2002) This book introduces three creative scientists who have dedicated themselves to researching how and why animals communicate.
Volcanoes: Nature’s Incredible Fireworks   What Happens When Volcanoes Erupt? by Daphne Butler (Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1996) Questions about volcanoes are answered though illustrations, definitions, and explanations. Hurricane by David Weisner (Clarion, 1990) A monumental storm and its surprising aftermath are viewed through the eyes of two adventurous brothers. Lightning by Seymour Simon (Morrow, 1997) The acclaimed author presents strong, memorable information about the “river of electricity rushing through the ocean of air.”