Books for Kids About Life Cycles

From butterfly life cycle to plant life cycle, these children’s book read-alouds will inform and excite young listeners. I even created a printable list of these books for kids about life cycles for you to take to the library or throw in with your educational lesson plans for your next science class.

Science Picture Books About Life Cycles

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Animal Life Cycle Books

Life Cycles with The Very Hungry Caterpillar series are made for the little ones. These board books use a familiar character to explain how an egg hatches to how a caterpillar changes.

Older toddlers may enjoy the Little Life Cycles series by Maggie Li. Die-cut pages entertain us while we walk through the life cycles of bees, butterflies or frogs.

We Are the Wibbly! by Sarah Tagholm explores the frog life cycle in a very humorous way. Join a tadpole as it evolves through life in this picture book read-aloud.

Check out Papilio by Ben Clanton, Corey R. Tabor, and Andy Chou Musser Three author/illustrato/friends collaborated on this book that walks us through the challenges and joys of change as we watch a caterpillar become a butterfly. Such a cleverly done book!

Plant Life Cycle Books

When Tree Became a Tree Rob Hodgson takes us season by season as we watch a decaying apple drop a seed into the ground and then that seed sprouts eventually becoming a new apple tree. The picture book is divided into chapters and has a playful tone to it making the learning enjoyable. Eating apples while enjoying the book is optional but highly recommended.

Fluffy Flying Seed by Mary Auld takes us on the journey of a dandelion from small seed to big impact. Did you know that some dandelion seeds can travel 50 miles?

Every Little Seed by Cynthia Schumerth takes us through the seasons as we watch the development of seeds from one stage to the next.

For more amazing photography, check out A Seed is the Start by Melissa Stewart. The book starts underground and follows a seedling as it grows through stunning National Geographic quality photos. Plus, there is engaging text to match.

More Books About Life Cycles

This next one is really about a habitat but we see how habitats support different life cycles. I know, I know…is there really another book about poop!? BUT, this is one I can behind (hee hee.) It has the gross appeal that draws kids into books while also being super informative about life cycles and nature. In the spring, buffalo leave poop on the ground and over the course of the year it becomes food and shelter to many living things. It’s actually quite fascinating. Check out Poo Pile on the Prairie by Amy Hevron.