2020 caused us all to emphasize the importance of healthy habits for kids to keep them safe and thriving. It can all be a little overwhelming to explain to children. But these healthy habits for kids’ books can help.
Books About Healthy Habits
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Children’s Books About Hygiene
Books About Germs and Sickness
What are Germs? Lift-the-Flap Book explores all the questions we have about germs from what they are to how they spread. Lots of lift-the-flaps to discover the answers. And, for a deeper look inside germs, check out See Inside Germsby Usborne.
Germs Make Me Sick by Melvin Berger is another informational book that explores the world of germs, how they spread, and how they can make us sick.
Germs Are Not For Sharing by Elizabeth Verdick is a title that works especially well for young children. It includes basic information on not spreading germs by washing hands, covering sneezes, etc.
When cold and flu season approaches readSick Simon by Dan Krall. It’s silly, somewhat gross, and also informative about not coming to school and spreading your germs when you are sick.
Get up close to a microbe in Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak. Literally, you zoom in on those little things in lots of different places.
Washing Hands
We do a lot of reminding helping children remember to wash their hands. Songs are a wonderful teaching tool. Try out these washing hands songs.
“Handwashing Song” by the Wiggles helps children count to 20 when washing with soap and water.
JBrary also has a quick “Handwashing Song” that has action movements with it.
Free Online Books for Kids About the Coronavirus
Many publishers have created free online books dealing with the coronavirus for kids.
Coronavirus: A Book for Children by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson, Nia Roberts and Axel Scheffler
The Princess in Black takes on coronavirus in The Princess in Black Takes on the Coronavirus.
Caring for Each Other and Ourselves During the Coronavirus is from Clever Publishing.
And, we are starting to see published books too.
When We Stayed Home by Tara Fass and Judith A. Proffer illustrates how it’s tough to stay home but yet so important to keep everyone safe.
Staying Healthy at School Printable Book
I created a printable reader book for staying healthy at school during this unique environment at school. Just click the button below to grab it.
Healthy Eating Books for Kids
End of the Rainbow Fruit Salad by Marianne Welsh is a book for preschoolers who are learning about colors, counting, and following directions. The story introduces the reader to the ingredients used when making a fruit salad. Along the way, color words and numbers are emphasized. The end of the book includes a recipe for rainbow fruit salad.
Every Color Soup by Jorey Hurley is another book to work on colors and healthy eating. What colors are all the yummy vegetables?
Rah, Rah, Radishes! by April Pulley Sayre takes the love for vegetables even deeper with this lively chant.
Little Green Donkey by Anuska Allepuz is the story of a donkey who loves to eat the same thing over and over again. Well, one day he discovers eating lots of grass has turned him green. So, he tries some other foods and discovers he really likes carrots. But, then…guess what happens?
Gregory, the Terrible Eater by Mitchell Sharmat is an oldie but goodie. Gregory isn’t your ordinary goat. He prefers a diet of fruits and veggies. Can he balance his diet in the eyes of goats?
Jack & The Hungry Giant by Loreen Leedy starts like the traditional Jack & The Beanstalk story. But, instead of the Giant wanting to eat Jack, he invites him to stay for a healthy meal. They explore the food groups and prepare a yummy healthy feast.
Our Food: A Healthy Serving of Science and Poems by Grace Lin introduces us to each food group, what eating healthy looks like, and more.
Also, check out our list of Books About Encouraging Picky Eaters to Try New Foods.
Books About the Importance of Exercise for Children
Your body is built to move so learn how to move it in The Busy Body Book by Lizzy Rockwell.
Get Up and Go! by Nancy Carlson acknowledges that we come in all shapes and sizes. What is important is that we move our bodies no matter what.
Yoga Books for Kids
Lyla teaches us lots of different yoga poses in Zoo Zen: A Yoga Story for Kids by Kristen Fischer. Plus, there is rhyming, counting, and a whole lot more.
The Grateful Giraffe by Giselle Shardlow is just one of the many books Giselle offers. In this story, you explore feelings through yoga. You’ll also want to check out her website Kids Yoga Stories.
Books that Will Get You Moving and Grooving
These books are perfect for a circle time read-aloud when you want to get the kids up and moving.—>Moving and Grooving Story Time Books
Mental Health Books for Kids
Having a positive attitude is important for keeping our minds healthy. Teach mindfulness with these books.
Mop Rides the Waves of Life by Jaimal Yogis first gets the best-illustrated hair award. Then, we get into the wonderful comparison of surfing the waves and navigating our own wave of emotions. Processing our emotions is important for staying healthy.
Here and Now by Julia Denos reminds us to be present in the moment. It actually is a more powerful read-aloud to the adults in the family but works to read aloud to kids and let them pass on the message too.
For children who are worried about getting sick, these books may help.
Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival shows us the best things we can do with a worry is to talk about it.
I’m Worried by Ian Black is part of a series of books on emotions and feelings. In I’m Worried, potato tells his friends he is worried and expects that they’ll tell him everything will be ok. But, what happens when they don’t make that promise?
Check out our other book list- Books About Emotions and Feelings for Preschoolers.
Printable Healthy Habit for Kids’ Books
Grab a printable book list of the titles above. It’s great to take to the library or tuck in with your lesson plans.
Healthy Habits Preschool Literacy Unit
Keep the healthy habits learning going with our Healthy Habits Preschool Literacy Unit. It’s full of book-based learning activities to build early literacy skills. Four weeks of done for you lesson planning!—>Healthy Habits Preschool Literacy Unit
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