The water cycle is a common science topic for students in a variety of grade levels (especially in states teaching the NGSS- Next Generation Science Standards). Here’s a collection of some of our favorite books about the water cycle. You’ll find books for preschool and on up!

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Children of all ages are naturally curious about the water cycle. It’s something we see in our everyday lives and almost seems magical to young kids.  My preschooler often wonders about where rain comes from and why things melt, while my second grader has been curious about where river water comes from and where it ends up.

This collection of books about the water cycle will provide kids with all kinds of information. I’ve provided a general age range for each book, but but I’m a firm believer in listening to your child. You might be surprised which books your child relates to- even if they are not in the suggested age range. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Children’s Books about the Water Cycle

The Little Raindrop by Joanna Gray

In this story, children will learn the basic concepts of the water cycle by following Little Raindrop on his journey. The illustrations are just gorgeous and might even inspire you to make some art similar to the illustrations in the book! Ages 3-5

I Get Wet by Vicki Cobb

This book doesn’t specifically talk about the water cycle, but reading it would be a great way to introduce water to younger children. I love that children can related to the various ways we see water in our everyday lives mentioned in this book, like getting water from the faucet, playing in the rain, and swimming. It even includes some simple water experiments young children can do! Ages 3-5

Did a Dinosaur Drink this Water? by Robert E. Wells

I love that this book covers more than just the water cycle, including water conservation and why water is useful. It reads almost like a cartoon and answers common questions children have about water. Ages 6-9

All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon and Katherine Tillotson

All the Water in the World is a great book for introducing the water cycle to preschoolers, kindergarteners, and even first graders. It helps children understand the question of where water comes from through gorgeous and colorful illustrations that draw the reader in. My kids especially loved how the text plays an active role in the pictures! Ages 4-6

Water is Water by Miranda Paul

Water is Water is another good book for introducing the water cycle to young children. The book almost reads like a poem as it follows water on a journey through the seasons. The end of the book explains each page in the story using more scientific terms and detailed explanations. Ages 3-6 

A Drop Around the World by Barbara McKinney

This is another book that reads almost like poetry! Follow Drop as he goes on an adventure not just through the water cycle, but all around the world- a great way to remind children that the whole planet depends on water. Ages 5-9

The Snowflake: A Water Cycle Story by Neil Waldman

This book does a great job of following on snowflake on a journey through the water cycle (much more in depth than The Little Raindrop).  Besides the basics of precipitation and evaporation, it also includes other aspects of the water cycle including ground water, streams and brooks, and oceans. The end of the book has a nice summary of the water cycle for kids too. Ages 6-9

A Drop of Water by Walter Wick

We couldn’t put this book down! It’s full of some of the most amazing photographs of water in various states and, in some cases, magnified. (My favorite photograph was of water droplets on the head of a pin!) Besides containing amazing photography, this book shares all kinds of facts about the water cycle including information about water vapor, condensation, evaporation, and how clouds form. Ages 8 and up

The Magic School Bus Wet All Over by Patricia Relf

If your children loves Magic School Bus books, then they’ll definitely become fans of Wet All Over. In this story Mrs. Frizzle’s class takes a field trip through the water cycle- learning about precipitin, evaporation, and condensation. Ages 5-8

More Water Cycle Resources

• Make a water cycle in a bag from Playdough to Plato.
• Print out these free water cycle printables from Living Montessori Now.
• Make this mini water cycle from Science Sparks.

Be sure to check out Buggy and Buddy on Teachers Pay Teachers!