Books About Magnets for Kids: 10 Picks for Elementary School

What Makes a Magnet? ~ Franklyn Branley
Grade: PreK – 3

What makes a magnet a magnet? Why does it pick up a paper clip but not a feather?

A clear introduction to how magnets work, with step-by-step experiments woven throughout. The teaching points are accessible for PreK-3, and the at-home experiment instructions make it easy to extend the lesson.

Bonus: Step-by-step instructions for students to make their own magnets.

Magnets: Pulling Together, Pushing Apart ~ Natalie Rosinsky
Grade: K – 4

Have you stopped to think what is a magnet? Are there different kinds? Why do they do what they do?

Students learn about different types of magnets, Earth’s magnetic poles, motors, and compasses, and how they affect our lives. Through experiments that highlight the concepts of attraction and repulsion, students will understand how magnets work.

Bonus: Six investigational experiments included for real hands-on learning.

What Magnets Can Do ~ Alan Fowler
Grade: 1 – 2

Looking for a simple book that explores the vast array of magnets in the world?

With easy to understand explanations and bold photos depicting magnets and magnetic properties, students will discover how magnets work. They will learn about many daily items that involve magnets, from compasses to electromagnets, stereos to telephones, and everything in between.

Bonus: Includes a photo-rich glossary!

Magnets Push, Magnets Pull ~ David A. Adler
Grade: K – 3

Do you know what the world’s largest magnet is?

Of course you do, but do your students? With these easy-to-read text and lively illustrations, they will now! In fact, they will learn a lot about magnets: How they work, basic concepts of attraction and repulsion, and even how to make their own magnet!

Bonus: The glossary included will build quite the magnetic vocabulary.

The Magic School Bus – Amazing Magnetism
Grade: K-3

The Frizz and her class challenge Mr. O’Neatly’s class to a science contest on magnetism. Pretty straightforward, right? If you know anything about Magic School Bus, you know this is anything but!

An in-depth look at magnetism — covering domains, poles, magnetite, and videotape — that keeps students engaged through humor and story. An in-depth look at magnetism to include domains, poles, magnetite, and videotape! Yes, you might have to explain what videotape is, but it is a great way to learn how magnets help us record things. There is not a magnetic concept left unexplored.

Bonus: Magic School Bus books include experiments to try and sidebars packed with additional detail.

A Look at Magnets ~ Barbara Alpert
Grade: K-2

We all have magnets stuck to our fridge, but do we know why they stick?

With its clear explanations and bold photographs, this is a solid lesson companion for students who are beginning to explore magnetism.

Bonus: Glossary included, plus an online resource for more magnetic fun!

The Shivers in the Fridge ~ Fran Manushkin
Grade: PreK – 3

Let’s face it, most magnets lead a pretty dull life. Not the Shivers. Their cold, dark lives are punctuated by earthquakes, bright lights, and monsters. Monsters that snatch family members away, until only one remains. Can he survive?

A hilarious, beautifully illustrated, adventurous read-aloud that will engage students and make them ask for more. The illustrations add a level of mystery to the story and students will work overtime figuring out just how the Shivers arrived in their frigid home in the first place.

Not strong on the concepts of magnetism, but a must-have addition to any lesson plan for the sheer joy it brings.

All Aboard Science Reader: Magnets ~ Anne Schreiber
Grade: 2-4

Is it magic? Or is it magnetism?

Through a journey that begins over 2,000 years ago in Turkey, students learn who discovered magnetism and the many different types of magnets in use today. Written for advanced readers, but engaging enough for some younger readers, too. The experiments included will help students fully understand the concepts presented in the book.

Bonus: Glossary included to help with the harder words.

Magnetic and Nonmagnetic ~ Angela Royston
Grade: 1-2

What makes an object magnetic? Does water stop magnetism? Do we use magnets every day?

These questions, and many more are answered through engaging facts and photos. Students learn the difference between magnetic and nonmagnetic materials and how magnets are used in the world around us.

Bonus: Students can perform the illustrated experiments on their own or in the classroom for better understanding.

Magnet Max ~ Monica Lozano Hughes
Grades: 1-3

Magnet Max loves his magnets, but his friend Nick thinks it’s all magic!

Students explore alongside Max and Nick as they discover how magnets work. A rhyming read-aloud that introduces magnetism through character and story. The illustrations support comprehension and make it a strong choice for PreK-2 read-aloud time.

Magnet: How William Gilbert Discovered That Earth Is a Great Magnet ~ Darcy Pattison Grade: 1 – 5

Why does a compass needle always point north?

William Gilbert spent years collecting lodestones from around the world and running experiments to answer that question — debunking myths along the way and eventually concluding that Earth itself is a magnet. This 2024 picture book follows Gilbert through the scientific method step by step, making it one of the few books on this list that connects magnetism to the history of science and scientific thinking. It reads at a higher level than most books on this list, which makes it a strong choice for 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade read-alouds or independent reading.

Bonus: The back matter includes additional biographical detail about William Gilbert for students who want to go deeper.

All About Magnetism ~ Angela Royston Grade: K – 2

What is magnetism? What makes some materials magnetic and others not? And where do magnets show up in the world around us?

Part of the Heinemann First Library All About Science series, this book covers magnetic materials, everyday uses of magnets, compasses, and Maglev trains—making it one of the few books on this list that connects magnetism to modern transportation technology. The text is short and clear for early readers, with photographs throughout. School Library Journal notes that each concept is reinforced by hands-on experiments.

Bonus: Three experiments included that students can try independently or in the classroom.