The central focus of this study was the development, use and evaluation of CD-ROM picture books in elementary school science teaching. Three CD-ROM picture books based on the Campus Insects unit from the new elementary school science curriculum in Taiwan were developed. A quasi-experimental method was used to compare the use of the CD-ROMs and traditional teaching approaches on student performance. The Reading Comprehension Tests of Insect Curriculum scores of the treatment-group students were significantly better than those of the comparison group with a 1.12 effect size. Students taught through normal means acquired few descriptive concepts of insects and could not use scientific terms to present ideas. However, students taught with CD-ROM picture books acquired middle-level or high-level descriptive concepts and used scientific terms to present ideas. CD-ROM picture books designed in this pattern can attract students' interest in their classes; therefore, we suggest primary school teachers use these books in their science teaching.