Recommended Books
These books and other resources will help children explore the unit’s themes and topics.
Folktales
Alaska’s Three Pigs by Arlene Laverde
In this retelling, a grizzly bear causes problems for three pigs who fish, ski, and build homes.
The Fourth Little Pig by Teresa Ceisi
In this rhyming sequel, the three little pigs’ sister visits and tries to help her brothers overcome their fear of the big bad wolf.
The Three Little Pigs by Steven Kellogg
In this retelling, the pigs turn the wolf into a waffle when he comes down the chimney.
The Three Little Pigs by Barry Moser
In this version, the villain invites the pigs on three consecutive outings but gets outsmarted every time.
The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
This book tells a very mixed-up version of the three little pigs.
The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
Three little wolves try to build houses of brick, steel, and concrete but are bothered by a big, bad pig wielding a sledgehammer and other tools.
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
The maybe-not-so-big-or-bad wolf gets to tell his side of the story.
Three Little Cajun Pigs by Mike Artell
In this retelling, the three little pigs have to watch out for ol’ Claude the gator when they start constructing new homes in the swamp.
Ziggy Piggy and the Three Little Pigs by Frank Asch
When the wolf blows in the third little pig’s brick house, the three little pigs turn to the fourth little pig, who saves the day.
Yo Hungry Wolf! A Nursery Rap by David Vozar
Three fairy tales featuring the same wolf (variations of “The Three Little Pigs,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”) have been adapted and retold to be performed as a rap or read as a rhyming picture book.
Fiction and Poetry
A House Is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman
A rhyming poem describes homes for animals, people, and more.
Bear at Home by Stella Blackstone
In this story, Bear takes children on a guided tour of his home.
Building Our House by Jonathan Bean
Kids watch their house go up in this book full of machines, vehicles, and house-building activities.
Building With Dad by Carol Nevius
A little boy joins his father at a construction site where a new school goes up.
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
The crane, cement mixer, dump truck, bulldozer, and excavator finish work and rest so they'll be ready for another day of construction!
Home for a Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown
Follows a furry bunny on its springtime journey to find a home.
Spring Song by Barbara Seuling
Questions and answers invite children to explore what animals do when spring arrives. See also Winter Song by the same author.
The Wonderful House by Margaret Wise Brown
This book tells about many wonderful houses: barns, beehives, bunny holes, and more.
This House Is Made of Mud / Esta casa está hecha de lodo by Ken Buchanan and Libba Tray
A much-loved adobe home in the Sonoran desert is described poetically by the child who lives there. (English and Spanish)
Whose House? by Barbara Seuling
A boy realizes that each animal has its own perfect place.
Nonfiction or Concept Books
A Day in the Life of a Builder by Linda Hayward
Follow construction worker Jack through a busy workday—from making early-morning phone calls, to keeping dogs from ruining the wet cement, to presenting a finished house to a family.
A Desert Habitat by Kelley Macaulay and Bobbie Kalman
Color photos of Sonora desert animals and simple text about their habitats.
Animal Homes by Angela Wilkes
Introduces the different places and spaces that animals choose to call home.
Animal Homes by Judy Allen and Simon Mendez
Lift the flaps to uncover animals in their homes.
A Year at a Construction Site (Time Goes By) by Nicholas Harris
Construction workers are building a school and children follow the progress over a year, from laying the foundation, to putting up walls, and setting the roof.
Bridges Are to Cross by Philemon Sturges
Intricate cut-paper illustrations show a variety of bridges, providing lots to look at and wonder about.
Building a House by Byron Barton
Describes the steps in building a house.
Construction Countdown by K.C. Olson
Children can count down from ten to one with busy construction trucks.
Deserts by Gail Gibbons
An introduction to the characteristics of deserts and the plants and animals that inhabit them.
Dreaming Up: A Celebration of Building by Christy Hale
Illustrations, poetry, and photos about children's constructions, created as they play, and notable works of architecture from around the world.
Homes ABC by Lola Schaefer
An alphabet book featuring words about houses and homes.
Homes Around the World by Bobbie Kalman
Photos of different kinds of houses and homes people live in.
Houses and Homes by Ann Morris
A photographic survey of houses around the world.
How a House Is Built by Gail Gibbons
Describes how the surveyor, heavy machinery operators, carpenter crew, plumbers, and others work together to build a house.
How It Happens at the Building Site by Jenna Anderson
Photos show a variety of workers building a house.
Imagine a House: A Journey to Fascinating Houses Around the World by Angela Gustafson
Children visit 22 houses in 15 countries, see who lives there, and discover how each house was built.
My Very First Book of Animal Homes by Eric Carle
Children match each animal with the home it lives in.
One Big Building: A Counting Book About Construction by Michael Dahl
Follow the construction of a building, from one plan to twelve stories, and look for hidden numbers in the illustrations as you go.
Wonderful Houses Around the World by Akira Nishiyama and Yoshio Komatsu
Photos show families outside their homes.