Deserts


Books

Desert Night Desert Day

By Anthony D. Fredericks
Rio Chico, 2011
ISBN: 1933855703
Ages 5-10

Wonderful illustrations and a rhyming poetic tempo are a hit in this beautiful look at the desert. Some science but mostly artistic beauty.

Desert Giant: Life of the Saguaro Cactus

By Barbara Bash
Sierra Club Books for Children, 2002
ISBN: 1578050855
Ages 6-10

In this first volume of Sierra Club Books' Tree Tales series, a simple, easy-to-read text and appealing drawings document the life cycle of this amazing cactus tree and the creatures it helps to support. Readers will come away with a better understanding of and a lasting respect for this accommodating giant of the desert.

Way Out in the Desert

By T. J. Marsh
Cooper Square Publishing, 1998
ISBN: 0873586875
Ages 3-7

This is a desert version of Over in the Meadow to sing along with and enjoy. Lovely illustrations allow children to see and understand the creatures of the desert.

Why Oh Why Are Deserts Dry?

By Trish Rabe
Random House Books, 2011
ISBN: 0375858687
Ages 4-9

The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series combines beloved characters, engaging rhymes, and Seussian illustrations to introduce children to non-fiction topics from the real world! Journey through the deserts of the world and learn:

  • how plants and animals have adapted to survive the unforgiving climate
  • why deserts don’t have to be hot
  • what causes us to see mirages
  • and much more!

A Desert Habitat (Introducing Habitats)

By Kelley Macaulay
Crabtree Publishing, 2006
ISBN: 0778729788
Age 6+

A scientific look at the desert habitat for children of all ages. Chapters include everything from animals to food to shelter. An excellent resource for the study of deserts.

Day and Night in the Desert

By Labrecque
Pebble, 2022
ISBN: 1666327638
Ages 5-8

Spend a day and night in the desert! Learn about this dry habitat through the unique animals that call it home. Stand with meerkats during a watchful hunt for insects. Spot a jackrabbit taking a shaded midday nap. Join a desert tortoise as it dines on colorful cactus fruit. After dark, follow a snake as it slithers in cool, moonlit sand. What will tomorrow bring in the desert?

Deserts

By Seymour Simon
HarperCollins, 1997
ISBN: 0688154794
Age 5+

Seymour Simon is well known for his science books for children. He has authored well over 100. This is a book not to miss — great photographs of desert landscapes from all over the globe.

Discover Science: Desert

By Nicola Davies
Kingfisher, 2012
ISBN: 0753468360
Ages 5-8

Take a look at deserts from all over the world. Learn about the plants and animals, the climate and the variety of deserts that exist on the earth. Great photographs and scientific detail will help you to learn all about deserts.