A list of fiction and nonfiction book pairings for preschoolers, elementary students, and even middle schoolers: This is a great way to incorporate more types of books into kids’ routines.
*We use affiliate links and may earn commission from purchases made through those links.
All opinions are our own.
What are book pairings? Why are they important? How do I make my own?
All of these questions (and more) are answered in our pairings FAQ post. Comment or email info@learnplayread.com with any questions you have that aren’t answered there.
Fiction and nonfiction book pairings for kids:
ANIMALS
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate and The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
The True Story of Peter Rabbit by Jane Johnson and The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
Saving Fiona by Thane Maynard and Fiona, It’s Bedtime by Zondervan
The Truth About Butterflies by Maxwell Eaton III and Ten Magic Butterflies by Danica McKellar
Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick and The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Being Frog by April Pulley Sayre and I Don’t Want to be a Frog by Dev Petty
Snails are Just My Speed! by Kevin McCloskey and Escargot by Dashka Slater
Building by Henry Cole and Little Beaver and the Echo by Amy MacDonald
Beware of the Crocodile by Martin Jenkins and Lyle, Lyle Crocodile by Bernard Waber
The Truth About Bears by Maxwell Eaton III and Little Bear by Elise Minarak
Tails from History: A Raccoon at the White House by Rachel Dougherty and Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky
A Beetle is Shy by Dianna Hutts Aston and The Very Clumsy Click Beetle by Eric Carle
CLASSICS
John Ronald’s Dragons by Caroline McAlister and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Lucy Maud by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Anne Arrives by Kallie George
Finding Narnia by Caroline McAlister and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe adapted from C.S. Lewis
Pioneer Girl by William Anderson and Prairie Day by Laura Ingalls Wilder
GAIL GIBBONS
Owls by Gail Gibbons and Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Zoo by Gail Gibbons and If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss
The Reason for Seasons by Gail Gibbons and Frog and Toad All Year by Arnold Lobel
How a House is Built by Gail Gibbons and Building Our House by Jonathan Bean
NATURE
Over and Under the Pond by Kate Messner and Beyond the Pond by Joseph Kuefler
You can also try these fiction books to pair with Over and Under the Pond:
Flower Talk by Sara Levine and Little Bee’s Flower by Jacob Souva
You can also try these fiction books to pair with Flower Talk:
Let it Grow by Cynthia Stierle and Goodnight, Veggies by Diana Murray
You can also try these fiction books to pair with Let it Grow:
- Garden Time by Jill McDonald
- What Will Grow? by Jennifer Ward
- Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson
- When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree by Jamie L.B. Deenihan
A Rock is Lively by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
A Shell is Cozy by Dianna Hutts Aston and A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
A Nest is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston and The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman
SEASONS
SPRING
Let it Grow: A Frozen Guide to Gardening and What Will Grow by Jennifer Ward
A Butterfly is Patient by Diana Asten and Butterfly House by Eve Bunting
Flower Talk by Sarah Levine and The Wall and the Wild by Christina Dendy
A New Beginning by Wendy Pfeffer and And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano
SUMMER
The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock and Hurry and the Monarch by Antoine O’Flatharta
Hello, Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall and The Storm by Cynthia Rylant
Whales by Gail Gibbons and Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen
Honeybee by Candace Fleming and Bee and Me by Alison Jay
AUTUMN
One Red Apple by Harriet Ziefert and Apple Picking Time by Michele Benoit Slawson
Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland and Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
A Field Guide to Autumn by Gabby Dawnay and Autumn Story by Jill Barklem
From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer and Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
WINTER
Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner and The Mitten by Jan Brett
TRANSPORTATION
Planes Fly! by George Ella Lyon and Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall
Trains by Mary Lindeen and The Little Red Caboose by Marian Potter
MISCELLANEOUS
Chocolate by Claire 