Best Backyard Fun Books for Storytime (Preschool, Kindergarten, First Grade)

Looking for backyard-themed books that keep preschool and early elementary groups engaged during storytime? Check these out!

Bumpety, Dunkety, Thumpety-Thump! (2016)

By K.L. Going · Illustrated by Simone Shin · Published by Beach Lane Books
A delightful backyard adventure featuring two siblings who gather berries to make a pie. Fantastic rhyming text perfect for chanting and singing with plenty of playful sounds.

Move Over, ROVER! (2006)

By Karen Beaumont · Illustrated by Jane Dyer · Published by Harcourt Inc.
A real winner for storytime: cumulative, chantable, rhyming text, descriptive sounds for each animal, and a surprise ending. Read it, tell it with puppets, or use sign language.

Plant the Tiny Seed (2017)

By Christie Matheson · Published by Greenwillow Books
Christie Matheson has several signature interactive read alouds that actively involve the audience in making magic happen by wiggling, clapping, patting, and more. This one is about the magic that happens when you plant a seed.

Sniff Sniff (2016)

By Ryan Sias · Published by Abrams Appleseed
Follow that scent! Clues in the illustrations make this an excellent read aloud for 3 and up to practice early prediction skills. Plus it’s fun to pretend to be a dog getting into all sorts of mischief in the backyard and beyond!

Bumpety Bump! (1987)

By Pat Hutchins · Published by Greenwillow Books
This book has so many opportunities for movement as we follow a little boy, his grandpa, and a red hen on their gardening adventure going bumpety bump in the wheelbarrow!

Chirp! (2015)

By Mary Murphy · Published by Candlewick Press
One of my son’s favorite books, this is fantastic for exploring sound. Each bird has a different call throughout the night, and in the morning they all chime in to shout for a brand new day. A real gem for children who love to listen to birds in their backyard or in the park.