Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science

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Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science

The Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science Books series, originally published by Crowell, now HarperCollins, is an American children's book series designed to educate preschoolers and young elementary school students about basic science concepts.

Many Let's Read and Find Out titles have either been reillustrated (sometimes more than once) or reissued under different titles. Some of these titles may be duplicates because of the renaming.

Since the 1990s, the series has been divided into two levels. Stage 1 books "explain simple and easily observable science concepts for preschool- and kindergarten-age children." Subjects covered in Stage 1 titles include the human body, plants, animals and "the world around us."

Stage 2 books "explore more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades and include hands-on activities that children can do themselves." Subjects covered in the Stage 2 titles including the human body, plants, animals, dinosaurs, space, weather and the seasons, our earth and "the world around us." [ citation needed ]


Let's Read and Find Out Science book list

TitleAuthorIllustrator(s)Year Pubd.SummaryTopicStage
Baby Starts to Grow, APaul ShowersRosalind Fry1969
Drop of Blood, APaul ShowersRobert Galster1967

1989

Human bodyStage 2
"Sid The Science Kid: A Cavity Is A Hole In Your Tooth"Jodi Huelin2010
Jellyfish Is Not a Fish, AJohn E. WatersKazue Mizumura1979
Map Is a Picture, ABarbara RinkoffRobert Galster1965
A Nest Full of EggsPriscilla Belz JenkinsLizzy Rockwell1995Plants and animalsStage 1
A Tree Is a Plant Clyde Bulla Lois Lignell1960

2001

Plants and animalsStage 1
Air Is All Around You Franklyn Branley Robert Galster1962The world around usStage 1
All Kinds of FeetRon and Nancy Goor1984
Almost Gone: The World's Rarest AnimalsSteve Jenkins2006
An Octopus Is AmazingPatricia LauberHolly Keller1990
Animals in WinterHenrietta Bancroft and Richard Van GelderGaetano di Palma1963Plants and AnimalsStage 1
Ant CitiesArthur Dorros1987Plants and animalsStage 2
Archaeologists Dig for CluesKate Duke1996Our Earth
Baby Whales Drink MilkBarbara Juster EsbensenLambert Davis1994Plants and animalsStage 1
Bats in the DarkJohn Kaufmann1972
Be a Friend to TreesPatricia LauberHolly Keller1994
Bees and BeelinesJudy HawesAliki1972
Before You Were a Baby Paul Showers and Kay ShowersIngrid Fetz1968
Big Tracks, Little Tracks Millicent E. Selsam Marlene Hill Donnelly1998Plants and AnimalsStage 1
Birds at NightRoma GansAliki1968
Birds Eat and Eat and EatRoma Gans Ed Emberley 1963
Birds Are FlyingJohn Kaufmann1979
Bird TalkRoma GansJo Polseno1961
Bits and Bytes: A Computer Dictionary for BeginnersSeymour Simon1985
Bugs Are Insects Anne Rockwell Steve Jenkins2001Plants and animalsStage 1
Cactus in the DesertPhyllis S. Busch Harriet Barton 1979Explains how cactus survive in the deserts where there is very little water.
Camels: Ships of the DesertJohn E. Waters Reynold Ruffins 1974Describes the physical characteristics of camels that enable them to withstand the heat of the desert for days at a time without water.Plants and animals
CavesRoma GansGiulio Maestro1976
Chirping CricketsMelvin BergerMegan Lloyd1998Describes the physical characteristics, behavior, and life cycle of crickets while giving particular emphasis to how they chirp.Plants and animalsStage 2
Comets Franklyn M. Branley Giulio Maestro1984Outer spaceStage 2
CoralsLili RonaiArabelle Wheatley1976
CloudsAnne RockwellFrane Lessac2008Stage 1
Cockroaches: Here, There and EverywhereLaurence P. PringleJames and Ruth McCrea1971
Corn Is Maize: The Gift of the IndiansAliki1986Plants and animalsStage 2
Danger--Icebergs!Roma GansRichard Rosenblum1964

1987

Explains how icebergs are formed from glaciers, move into the ocean, create hazards to ships, and melt away.Earth scienceStage 2
Day Light, Night Light: Where Light Comes From Franklyn M. Branley Stacey Schuett1975Discusses the properties of light, particularly its source in heat.
Did Dinosaurs Have Feathers?Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Digging Up DinosaursAlikiDinosaursStage 2
Dinosaur BabiesKathleen Weidner ZoehfeldLucia Washburn1999
Dinosaur BonesAlikiDinosaursStage 2
Dinosaur TracksKathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
Dinosaurs Big and SmallKathleen Weidner ZoehfeldStage 1
Dinosaurs Are DifferentAliki1986DinosaursStage 2
Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks and Clapping JawsWendy PfefferHelen Davie2003
Down Come the LeavesHenrietta BancroftNonny Hogrogian1961
Down Comes the Rain Franklyn M. Branley James Graham Hale1963, 1983Rain, rainfall, clouds
Ducks Don't Get WetAugusta GoldinLeonard Kessler

helen K. Davie

1965, 1999Describes the behavior or different kinds of ducks and, in particular, discusses how all ducks use preening to keep their feathers dry.Plants and animalsStage 2
Ears Are for HearingPaul ShowersHolly Keller1990Human bodyStage 2
Earthquakes Franklyn M. Branley Richard Rosenblum1990Our EarthStage 2
Eclipse Franklyn M. Branley Donald Crews 1973

1988

Outer spaceStage 2
Elephant FamiliesArthur Dorros1994Describes the unique qualities, status as an endangered species, and familial behavior of elephants.Plants and animalsStage 2
Energy from the SunMelvin BergerGiulio Maestro1976
Energy Makes Things HappenKimberly BradleyPaul Meisel2002
Evolution: The Story of How Life Developed on Earth Joanna Cole Aliki1987Earth scienceStage 2
Falcons Nest on SkyscrapersPriscilla Belz JenkinsMeagan Lloyd1996
Fat and SkinnyPhilip BalestrinoPam Makie1975
Feel the WindArthur Dorros1989Weather and the seasonsStage 2
Find Out by TouchingPaul ShowersRobert Galster1961
Fireflies in the NightJudy HawesKazue Mizumura, Ellen Alexander1963

1991

Plants and animalsStage 1
Flash, Crash, Rumble and Roll Franklyn Branley Ed Emberley, True Kelley1964

1985

Weather and the seasonsStage 2
Floating and Sinking Franklyn M. Branley Robert Galster1967
Floating in Space Franklyn M. Branley True Kelley1998Stage 2
Flying Giants of Long AgoJohn Kaufmann1984An introduction to prehistoric insects, birds and reptiles that flew.
Follow the Water from Brook to OceanArthur Dorros1993Earth scienceStage 2
Follow Your NosePaul ShowersPaul Galdone1963Stage 2
Forces Make Things MoveKimberly BradleyPaul Meisel2005Simple language and humorous illustrations show how forces make things move, prevent them from starting to move, and stop them from movingStage 2
Fossils Tell of Long AgoAliki1972

1990

From Caterpillar to ButterflyDeborah HeiligmanBari Wrissman1996Plants and animalsStage 1
From Seed to PumpkinWendy PfefferJames Graham2004Plants and animalsStage 1
From Tadpole to FrogWendy PfefferHolly Keller1994Plants and animalsStage 1
Germs Make Me Sick!Melvin BergerMarylin Hafner1985Human bodyStage 2
Get Ready for RobotsPatricia LauberTrue Kelley1989
Giraffes at HomeAnn Cooke Robert Quackenbush 1972
GlaciersWendell V. TangbornMarc Simont1965

1988

Earth scienceStage 2
Gravity Is a Mystery Franklyn M. Branley Don Madden1970

1986

Green Grass and White MilkAliki1974Briefly describes how a cow produces milk, how milk is processed in a dairy, and how various other dairy products are made from milk. [Retitled Milk from Cow to Carton?]Plants and animalsStage 2
Green Turtle MysteriesJohn F. WatersMamoru Funai1972
Hear Your HeartPaul ShowersJoseph Low

Holly Keller

1968

2001

High Sounds, Low Sounds Franklyn Branley Paul Galdone1967Explains how every sound we hear is made by something that is moving, and how the vibrations are carried through the air to our ears and so produce sound.
Honey In a HiveAnne RockwellS.D. Schindler2005An introduction to the behavior and life cycle of honeybees, with particular emphasis on the production of honey.Plants and animalsStage 2
Hot As an Ice CubePhilip BalestrinoTomie dePaula1971
How a Seed GrowsHelene JordanJoseph Low,

Loretta Krupinski

1960

1992

Plants and animalsStage 1
How Animal Babies Stay SafeMary Ann Fraser2001Plants and AnimalsStage 1
How Do Apples Grow?Betsy MaestroGiulio Maestro2000Plants and animalsStage 2
How Do Birds Find Their Way?Roma GansPaul Mirocha1996
How Many Teeth?Paul ShowersTrue Kelley1962

1991

Human bodyStage 1
How Mountains Are MadeKathleen Weidner ZoehfeldJames Graham Hale2003Earth scienceStage 2
How People Learned to FlyFran HodgkinsTrue Kelley2007
How To Be a Nature DetectiveMillicent E. SelsamMarlene Hill Donnelly1958

1963

1995

How To Talk to Your ComputerSeymour Simon1985
How We Learned the Earth Is RoundPatricia LauberMegan Lloyd1990Explains various changes in humanity's beliefs about the shape of the Earth, from the flat Earth theories of the ancients to the round Earth theories that were proven true by the voyages of Columbus and Magellan.Earth scienceStage 2
How You TalkPaul ShowersRobert Galster1966Human bodyStage 2
Hummingbirds in the GardenRoma Gans1969
Hungry SharksJohn F. WatersAnn Dalton1973A brief introduction to the physical characteristics and habits of the shark.
Hurricane Watch Franklyn M. Branley Giulio Maestro1985Weather and the seasonsStage 2
I Can Tell by TouchingCarolyn OttoNadine Wescott1994
I'm GrowingAliki1992Human bodyStage 1
IcebergsRoma GansBobri1964
In the NightPaul Showers Ezra Jack Keats 1961
Is There Life in Outer Space? Franklyn M. Branley Don Madden1984Stage 1
It's Nesting TimeRoma GansKazue Mizumura1964
Journey Into a Black Hole Franklyn M. Branley Marc Simont1988Outer spaceStage 2
Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away HomeJudy Hawes Ed Emberley 1967
Life In a Coral ReefWendy PfefferSteve Jenkins2009Stage 2
Light Is All Around UsWendy PfefferPaul Meisel2014Stage 2
Little Dinosaurs and Early BirdsJohn Kaufmann1977
Look at Your EyesPaul ShowersPaul Galdone1962Human bodyStage 1
Look Out for TurtlesMelvin BergerMegan Lloyd1992

2000

Describes the remarkable turtle that can live almost anywhere, eat almost anything, range in size from tiny to gigantic, and live longer than any other animal.
Me and My Family TreePaul ShowersDon Madden1978
Meet the ComputerSeymour SimonBarbara Emberley1985
Millions and Millions of CrystalsRoma GansGiulio Maestro1973Describes the characteristics, formation, and uses of various types of crystals.
Mission to Mars Franklyn M. Branley True Kelley2002
Mushrooms and MoldsRobert FromanGrambs Miller1972Describes the mysterious world of fungi and explains their function in the cycle of growing things.
My Daddy LonglegsJudy HawesWalter Lorraine1972
My Feet Aliki 2001Human bodyStage 1
My Five SensesAliki1962Human bodyStage 1
My Hands Aliki 1960

1992

Human bodyStage 1
My Pet HamsterAnne RockwellBernice Lum2002Stage 1
My Visit to the DinosaursAliki1969

1995

DinosaursStage 2
No Measles, No Mumps for MePaul ShowersHarriett Barton1980
North, South, East and West Franklyn M. Branley Robert Galster1966
Oil: The Buried TreasureRoma GansGiulio Maestro1975Briefly discusses how oil is formed, how it is recovered from the ground, and its many uses.
Oil Spill!Melvin BergerPaul Mirocha1994
On the Move!Deborah HeiligmanLizzy Rockwell1996Human bodyStage 1
OpossumKazue Mizumura1974
Oxygen Keeps You Alive Franklyn M. Branley Don Madden1971
Penguin ChickBetty TathamHelen K. Davie2002Stage 2
Plants in WinterJoanna ColeKazue Mizumura1973
Pop! A Book About BubblesKimberly BradleyMargaret Miller2001Stage 1
Rain and Hail Franklyn M. Branley Harriet Barton1963

1983

Redwoods Are the Tallest Trees in the World David A. Adler Kazue Mizumura1978Describes the characteristics of the redwood trees.
Let's Go Rock CollectingRoma GansHolly Keller1984

1997

Earth scienceStage 2
Rockets and Satellites Franklyn M. Branley Al Nagy, Bill Sokol1961

1970

Outer spaceStage 2
Roots Are Food Finders Franklyn M. Branley Joseph Low1975Explains in simple terms the function and importance of roots and root hairs on a plantPlants and animals
A Safe Home for ManateesPriscilla Belz JenkinsMartin Classen1997

2002

SaltAugusta GoldinRobert Galster1965
SandpipersEdith Thacher HurdLucienne Bloch1961
Seeds by Wind and WaterHelene JordanNiles Hogner1962
Shells Are SkeletonsJoan Berg Victor1977Describes how mollusks, such as clams, oysters, limpets, and snails, build their shells and use them.
Shooting Stars Franklyn M. Branley Holly Keller1989The world around usStage 1
ShrimpsJudy HawesJoseph Low1967
Sleep Is for EveryonePaul ShowersWendy Watson1974Stage 1
Snakes Are HuntersPatricia LauberHolly Keller1988Plants and animalsStage 2
Snow Is Falling Franklyn M. Branley Helen Stone, Holly Keller1963, 1986The world around usStage 1
Sounds All AroundWendy PfefferHolly Keller1999Explains how sounds are made and the purposes they serve for both humans and other animals.The world around usStage 1
Spider SilkAugusta GoldinJoseph Low1964
Spinning SpidersMelvin BergerS.D. Schindler2003
Sponges Are SkeletonsBarbara Juster EsbensenHolly Keller1993Stage 2
Spring PeepersJudy HawesGraham Booth1975Describes the physical characteristics and habits of tree frees, particularly the peeper whose song is a harbinger of spring.Plants and animals
StarfishEdith HurdLucienne Bloch1962Plants and animalsStage 1
Straight Hair, Curly HairAugusta Goldin Ed Emberley 1966
StreamlinedJohn Kaufmann1974
Sunshine Makes the Seasons Franklyn M. Branley Michael Rex1974

1985

Weather and the seasonsStage 2
Switch On, Switch OffMelvin BergerCarolyn Croll1989Explains how electricity is produced and transmitted, how to create electricity using a wire and a magnet, how generators supply electricity for cities, and how electricity works in homes.Earth scienceStage 2
Terrible TyrannosaursKathleen Weidner ZoehfeldLucia Washburn2000Dinosaurs
BASIC Book, TheSeymour SimonBarbara Emberley1985
Beginning of the Earth, The Franklyn M. Branley Giulio Maestro1972Describes what may have happened when the Earth began billions of years ago.Earth scienceStage 2
The Big Dipper Franklyn Branley Ed Emberley, Molly Coxe1968

1991

The world around usStage 1
Blue Whale, The Kazue Mizumura 1971
Bottom of the Sea, TheAugusta GoldinEd Emberley1968
Clean Brook, TheMargaret Farrington Barlett Aldren Watson 1960
Eel's Strange Journey, TheJudi FriedmanGail Owens1976
Emperor Penguins, TheKazue Mizumura1969
International Space Station, The Franklyn M. Branley True Kelley2000Stage 2
The Listening WalkPaul ShowersAliki1961
The Long-Lost Coelacanth And Other Living FossilsAliki1973Describes the coelacanth, a fish thought to have been extinct for seventy million years until one was discovered in 1938, and other examples of plants and animals known as "living fossils."
The March of the LemmingsJames R. NewtonCharles Robinson1976Discusses the physical characteristics and habits of those rodents of the far north whose periodic massive marches to the sea continue to baffle scientists looking for a reason.
The Moon Seems to Change Franklyn M. Branley Helen Borten 1965Outer spaceStage 2
The Planets in Our Solar System Franklyn M. Branley Don Madden, Kevin O'Malley1981Outer spaceStage 2
The Skeleton Inside YouPhilip BalestrinoTrue Kelley1971

1989

Human bodyStage 2
The Sky Is Full of Stars Franklyn Branley Felecia Bond1983Outer spaceStage 2
The Sun: Our Nearest Star Franklyn Branley Helen Borten

Don Madden, Edward Miller

1961

1988

Outer spaceStage 2
The Sunlit SeaAugusta GoldinPaul Galdone1968
The Wonder of Stones Roma Gans Joan Berg1963
Tornado Alert Franklyn M. Branley Giulio Maestro1988Weather and the seasonsStage 2
Turtle Talk: A Beginner's Book of LOGOSeymour SimonBarbara & Ed Emberley 1986
Twist, Wiggle and Squirm: A Book About EarthwormsLaurence P. PringlePeter Parnall1973
Upstairs and DownstairsRyerson JohnsonLisl Weil1962
Use Your BrainPaul ShowersRosalind Fry1971
Volcanoes Franklyn M. Branley Marc Simont 1985Earth scienceStage 2
Watch Honeybees with MeJudy HawesHelen Stone1964
Water for Dinosaurs and YouRoma GansRichard Gulfari1972
Water PlantsLaurence P. PringleKazue Mizumura1975
Weight and Weightlessness Franklyn M. Branley Graham Booth1972
What Color Is Camouflage?Carolyn OttoMegan Lloyd1996
What Happened to the Dinosaurs? Franklyn M. Branley 2000DinosaursStage 2
What Happens to a Hamburger?Paul ShowersAnne Rockwell1970Human bodyStage 2
What Happens to Our Trash?D.J. WardPaul Meisel2012
What I Like About ToadsJudy HawesRuth McCrea1969
What Is the World Made of? All About Solids, Liquids and GasesKathleen Weidner ZoehfeldPaul Meisel1998Stage 2
What Lives In a Shell?Kathleen Weidner ZoehfeldHelen Davie1994Plants and AnimalsStage 1
What Makes a Magnet? Franklyn M. Branley True Kelley1996Stage 2
What Makes a Shadow? Clyde Bulla Adrienne Adams1962The world around usStage 1
What Makes Day and Night? Franklyn Branley Helen Borten

Arthur Dorres

1961

1986

Outer spaceStage 2
What the Moon Is Like Franklyn M. Branley True Kelley1963, 1986Imagines sights and experiences on a Moon visit.Outer spaceStage 2
What Will the Weather Be?Lynda DeWittCarolyn Croll1991

2002

Weather and the seasonsStage 2
What's Alive?Kathleen Weidner ZoehfeldDadine Bernard Wescott1995Plants and AnimalsStage 1
What's It Like To Be a Fish?Wendy PfefferHolly Keller2015Plants and AnimalsStage 1
What's So Bad About Gasoline? Fossil Fuels and What They DoAnne RockwellPaul Meisel2009Stage 2
When Birds Change Their FeathersRoma GansFelicia Bond1986
Where Are the Night Animals?Mary Ann Fraser1998Plants and AnimalsStage 1
Where Did Dinosaurs Come from?Kathleen Weidner ZoehfeldLucia Washburn2010Stage 2
Where Do Chicks Come From?Amy E. SklanskyPam Paparone2005Plants and AnimalsStage 1
Where Do Polar Bears Live?Sarah L. ThomsonJason Chin2009Stage 2
Where Does Your Garden Grow?Augusta GoldinHelen Borten1967
Where Does the Garbage Go?Paul ShowersLoretta Lustig1974Earth scienceStage 2
Where the Brook BeginsMargaret Farrington BartlettAldren Watson1961
Who Eats What? Food Chains and Food WebsPatricia LauberHolly Keller1995

2000

Stage 2
Who Lives In an Alligator Hole?Anne RockwellLizzy Rockwell2006Stage 2
Why Are the Icecaps Melting? The Dangers of Global WarmingAnne RockwellPaul Meisel2006Stage 2
Why Do Leaves Change Color?Betsy MaestroLoretta Krupinski1994stage 2
Why Frogs Are WetJudy HawesDon Madden1968

2000

Stage 2
Why I Sneeze, Shiver, Hiccup and YawnMelvin BergerPaul Meisel1983, 2000An introduction to the reflex acts that explain why we sneeze, shiver, hiccup and yawn.
Wild and Woolly MammothsAliki1998An easy-to-read account of the woolly mammoth, a giant land mammal which has been extinct for over 11,000 years.DinosaursStage 2
Wiggling Worms at WorkWendy PfefferSteve Jenkins2003
You Can't Make a Move Without Your MusclesPaul ShowersHarriett Barton1982
You're Aboard Spaceship EarthPatricia LauberHolly Keller1996
Your Skin and MinePaul ShowersKathleen Kuchera1965

1991

Human bodyStage 2
Zipping, Zooming, Zapping BatsAnn EarleHenry Cole1995Stage 2
What's for Lunch?Sarah L. ThomsonNila Aye2016Read about the different kinds of food we at and how to fill up your plate and keep your body healthy.Human BodyStage 1
The Arctic Fox's JourneyWendy PfefferMorgan Huff2019Read about the arctic fox's quest for survivalPlants and AnimalsStage 1
The Sun and the MoonCarolyn Cinami DeCristofanoTaia Morley2016Find out about the Sun and the Moon.The world around usStage 1
Thump Goes the Rabbit: How Animals CommunicateFran HodgkinsTaia Morley2020Plants and AnimalsStage 1
Super Marsupials: Kangaroos, Koalas, Wombats, and MoreKatharine KenahStephanie Fizer Coleman2019Learn about marsupials: kangaroos, koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, opossums and sugar glidersPlants and AnimalsStage 1