If you’re teaching a unit on matter and looking for ways to bring those abstract science concepts to life, picture books are one of my favorite tools. I love using read-alouds to introduce, reinforce, or review topics like physical properties, states of matter, and how materials change. Even in upper elementary, a well-chosen picture book can spark great conversation and deepen understanding.
In this post, I’m sharing a mix of books you can use in your classroom to support your matter unit. Some are nonfiction or informational texts that directly teach science content, while others are fun, fiction read-alouds that sneak in science through the plot. Both types have a place, and I’ve included ideas for how you can connect each one to both science and ELA.
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Picture Books that Teach Properties of Matter
These books are written to support science instruction and work especially well during the teaching or guided practice phase of your matter unit. They’re clear, student-friendly, and great for building background knowledge or introducing vocabulary.
What’s the Matter in Mr. Whiskers’ Room? by Michael Elsohn Ross
What’s the Matter in Mr. Whiskers’ Room? follows a curious class and their eccentric teacher as they explore what matter is and how it can change. It does a great job modeling scientific thinking and classroom investigations. It’s a great way to launch your unit and set the tone for asking questions and experimenting.
Solids, Liquids, Gases and Plasma by David A. Adler
Solids, Liquids, Gases and Plasma gives a clear, simple explanation of the four states of matter. It introduces vocabulary like plasma in a way that’s still accessible for upper elementary students. The illustrations are straightforward, and it’s easy to pair with a states-of-matter anchor chart or notebook activity.
What Is the World Made Of? by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
What is the World Made Of? breaks matter down into solids, liquids, and gases using real-world examples. It’s great for visual learners and English language learners. It would also work well in small groups or as part of a science center.
Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It by Darlene Stille
In Matter: See It, Touch It, Taste It, Smell It, students learn to describe matter using the five senses while building vocabulary for observable properties. The layout is simple and includes a short activity. Useful for reinforcing descriptive language during science notes.
Fun Read Alouds That Include Matter in the Plot
These fiction selections are not science texts, yet matter plays a central role in what happens. Each entry includes a science connection, an ELA strategy, and a simple extension.
Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright
Matter Tie In: Sneezy tries to warm up with hot cocoa, a hot tub, and a cozy fire, and each attempt causes him to melt. This sets up discussion of freezing point, melting point, and reversible physical changes.
ELA Strategy: Use this story to complete a plot map. The structure includes three strong events that build to the climax, making it ideal for practicing how to identify rising action and turning points in a narrative.
Science Spin: Compare melting rates by placing equal ice cubes in sun, shade, and near gentle warmth, then record observations.
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Matter Tie In: Dragons cannot handle spicy salsa. When they eat it, the taco party ends in flames, and the house is rebuilt later, which invites talk about chemical change and irreversible effects.
ELA Strategy: Teach cause and effect by tracing the sequence from party plans to salsa fine print to the final consequence.
Science Spin: Demonstrate a safe chemical reaction such as baking soda with vinegar. Identify evidence of a new substance and discuss why the change cannot be undone.
Ice Boy by David Ezra Stein
Matter Tie In: An adventurous ice cube becomes water, then vapor, and later returns to solid form. The narrative mirrors the water cycle and shows phase changes in context.
ELA Strategy: Use as a mentor text for a first person narrative from the point of view of a water droplet.
Science Spin: Create a water cycle in a sealed bag on a sunny window. Label evaporation, condensation, and collection as they appear.
HOT HOT HOT by Neal Layton
Matter Tie In: Characters in Hot Hot Hot experience an unusually hot day, which opens conversation about heat, temperature, and simple ways living things stay cool. This supports talk about heat transfer and insulation.
ELA Strategy: Focus on making inferences. The illustrations and brief text leave room for students to infer how the characters feel, why they make certain choices, and how their environment is affecting them.
Science Spin: Test basic insulators by wrapping cups of warm water with different materials and charting temperature changes over time.
Wrapping It Up
These picture books make complex ideas like states of matter, phase change, and heat more accessible. They also double as engaging read alouds for the literacy block. For quick lessons or reinforcement, this States of Matter Unit works well. It’s perfect for introducing, reviewing, and practicing key vocabulary and concepts through simple activities, sorts, and student-friendly tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions about Teaching Matter with Picture Books
What are effective ways to use picture books when teaching properties of matter?
Use them during a science mini lesson, during read aloud time to build background knowledge, or as a hook before an investigation. Pair a short text with one focused demonstration or station so students immediately apply the idea.
Can fiction picture books support science standards?
Yes. Stories like Sneezy the Snowman, Dragons Love Tacos, Ice Boy, and Hot Hot Hot present situations that invite analysis of physical and chemical changes, temperature effects, and states of matter when followed by a brief lab or writing task.
Are these appropriate for upper elementary even if the texts look young?
They can be. The complexity comes from the talk, the task, and the follow up investigation, which pull in academic vocabulary and evidence based explanation.
