Are you looking for a way to introduce invasive species to your elementary students? The concept of invasive exotic species can be challenging for young students to understand. Picture books are an amazing way to learn about the world and can be an invaluable tool for introducing children to scientific skills and concepts. This list of books about invasive species includes 7 titles that can help with your animal needs units, ecosystem studies, and food web lessons.

By reading some of these books to your students you are supplementing your science instruction with children’s literature. This technique can help generate interest and motivation, provide context, encourage communication, and connect science information in real-world context (Mahzoon-Hagheghi, 2018, 41). Read this list of books about invasive species to get some amazing titles to develop scientific understanding in your students!

Picture Books About Invasive Species

Sooper Yooper: The Quest of the Blue Crew by Mark Newman

Reading age: Preschool – 3rd Grade (4-8 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS4-4

Although written for the Great Lakes states, Newman introduces a fun and exciting way to learn about invasive species and their affects on nature. The story is about Billy Cooper the Sooper Yooper that tries to eradicate invasive species from the Great Lakes but finds the job overwhelming. He enlists the help of experts from a variety of fields to help with his mission.

He enlists scientists such as Bo Ketchum, Ramsay, MC Sirius, Ben Steele, Robin Nagamoon, Dr. Troy Brinker, and I.M. Watson. Together the Blue Crew works against Zebra mussels, Round goby, Purple loosestrife, Sea lamprey, Rusty crayfish, Eurasian watermilfoil, and more. This is a fun and engaging picture book to introduce the concept of aquatic invasive species.

*Bonus- Like this title on the invasive species book list? This book belongs to a series including Sooper Yooper: Environmental Defender, Sooper Yooper: Rockman to the Rescue, and Sooper Yooper: Hero 2 Others!

Invasive Insect Species by Richard Spilsbury

Reading age: 3rd Grade – 6th Grade (8-11 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 3-LS1-1, 3-LS4-4, 4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1

Spilsbury introduces invasive insects species in this non-fiction book with real pictures. Each species has an introduction, information about where they hail from, how they negatively affect native species, and interesting facts. Some of the species highlighted include: Red fire ants, Gypsy moths, Formosan termites, Harlequin ladybugs, Cotton whitefly, and more.

*Note – Although this book has a lot of great information and was published in 2015, known information about invasive exotic species is updated very regularly. For example, Gypsy moths are now called Spongy moths. When reading this book, take the very specific facts with a grain of salt.

*Bonus- Like this title on the invasive species book list? This book belongs to a series including Invasive Mammal Species, Invasive Plant Species, Invasive Reptile and Amphibian Species, Invasive Species in the Air, and Invasive Species Underwater.

Aliens from Earth: When Animals and Plants Invade Other Ecosystems by Mary Batten

Reading age: 3rd Grade – 7th Grade (8-12 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 3-LS1-1, 3-LS4-4, 4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1

Batten shares a lot of information about how invasive species come to new locations, how they can negatively affect balanced ecosystems, and examples of invasive exotic species on different continents. Some examples of invasive exotics featured in this book include: African honeybees, Fire ants, Zebra mussels, Brown tree snakes, Kudzu, Cane toads, and more. Each species highlighted in this book has an explanation of how it got to its new location which can help students understand that there are a variety of ways invasive exotics can spread.

*Note – The reading age suggested for this book is 3rd grade through 7th grade; this book is very long-winded and would probably serve older students better than younger students. It could also stand to be read over multiple days since there is so much information and text involved.

12 Things to Know About Invasive Species by Jamie Kallio

Reading age: 3rd Grade – 6th Grade (8-11 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 3-LS1-1, 3-LS4-4, 4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1

Kallio presents information about invasive exotic species by sharing 12 things readers should know. Some of the things that Kallio thinks readers should know include: people spread invasive species, introducing Killer bees was a serious error, the Cane toad is toxic to predators, the cost of invasive species is high, and more. This book is chocked full of information and would probably work better as a reference for research or at a center instead of as a read aloud.

Chapter Books About Invasive Species

Attack of the Plants by AnnMarie Anderson

Reading age: 1st Grade – 3rd Grade (6-8 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, 2-LS4-1, 3-LS4-4

Anderson writes a new chapter for the Magic School Bus storyline with the exiting of the Frizz and the introduction of her sister, Fiona Felicity Frizzle. The new Ms. Frizzle takes the class to the Galapagos Islands where they learn about the perfect ecosystem that exists in harmony, the well-balance food web, and animals that are unique to the space.

Unfortunately, Arnold is unhappy about all the changes that he’s experiencing and accidentally leaves an exotic plant on the island which later becomes invasive. This short chapter book would make a great read aloud for the introduction of invasive species and what sort of damage they can cause in a new place.

Ruby Finley Vs. The Interstellar Invasion by K. Tempest Bradford

Reading age: 3rd Grade – 7th Grade (8-12 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1

Bradford brings to life a mystery of a weird bug that shows up in Ruby Finley’s neighborhood. Ruby Finley is a science loving girl who captures the bug, tries to identify it with a field guide, can’t, and then Tweets a picture online. Government officials show up and begin asking her and her grandma questions which makes Ruby realize this is no ordinary bug. Although not exactly a book about invasive species, Ruby follows a kid-oriented discovery to find out more information about this new species – something students can appreciate as they embark on their discovery of invasive species.

*Note – This book has been highly rated for its inclusive writing and for its relatability to children in middle school. From a review on Amazon, “A new experience for me was that white is not the default here. If a character is Black, Bradford says so, but she also tells you when characters are white. It’s eye-opening for me to realize how unusual that is, and it’s the way it should be. Bradford also gently explores the mostly non-white neighborhood’s relationship to the police through Ruby’s dad’s involvement with the community organization, and discussions about when to involve the police while these crazy events escalate.”

They Are Here! How Invasive Species Are Spoiling Our Ecosystems by Roland Smith

Reading age: 3rd Grade – 7th Grade (8-12 years)

Related Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 3-LS1-1, 3-LS4-4, 4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS2-1

Smith profiles 30 different invasive species that have caused problems in a variety of countries. In each chapter a different species or set of species is highlighted and includes information such as where they originate, how they got to new locations, what problems they are causing in the locations they have invaded, how people have been trying to correct the problem, and other interesting facts. Some of the species include: European starlings, Burmese pythons, Spongy moths, Asian carp, and more. This is a 138 page book filled to the brim with information and could serve as a read aloud, but is probably better for a reference for research or at a center.

In a nutshell

Hopefully after reading this book list you’ve found a wonderful book (or two or three…) to read with your class during your invasive species study. Even though the concept of invasive exotic species is abstract and challenging for younger students to grasp, books can help your students see the way that they disrupt ecosystems and affect the native species. Enjoy your invasive species studies, it’s sure to be interesting for your students!

Works cited

Mahzoon-Hagheghi, M.; Yebra, R.; Johnson, R. (2018). Fostering a Greater Understanding of Science in the Classroom Through Children’s Literature. Texas Journal of Literacy Education, 6(1), 41-50. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1183979.pdf

Have amazing books about invasive species that weren’t listed? Include your favorites in the comments!

Check out this podcast episode for invasive species activities to use alongside these books!

Check out this podcast episode for unique ways to teach with books!

Looking for more lists of books? Check out these other articles:

“Teaching With Books: How to Integrate Science and Literacy for Elementary Classrooms” 

“18 Kids Earth Day Books to Inspire Elementary Students this Year”

“11 Fantastic Animal Life Cycles Books By John Himmelman”

“A Free Fall Picture Books List For Teachers With 16 Recommendations”

“16 Wonderful Children’s Books About Winter For Elementary Teachers”

“A Fantastic Spring Picture Book List For Elementary Teachers With 20 Titles”

Invasive species Picture Books Science

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