As the cooler weather rolls in, I find myself loving those cozy moments curled up under a blanket with my kids, diving into a good read-aloud. There’s something magical about settling in together with a book that sparks curiosity and wonder, especially when that book opens doors to the exciting world of science.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or teacher, sharing science stories is a wonderful way to inspire young minds to ask questions, explore, and imagine. Over the years, we’ve discovered some amazing science books that do just that—bringing science to life with fun stories, colorful illustrations, and relatable characters. I’m excited to share some of our favorites that have captivated my kids and sparked their love for learning. These science read-alouds make science feel fun and approachable for the whole family.
Note: Determining the age range for children’s books can be a tricky business, as different kids have different interests and reading levels. Generally, books are designed with specific age ranges in mind, taking into account factors like reading level, content complexity, and visual appeal. While the recommended age ranges are a helpful starting point, it’s important to remember that every child is unique, and what may be a perfect fit for one reader may not be the same for another.
Encouraging Girls to Explore STEM: Two Must-Read Books
To kick off our list of the best science books for kids, here are two wonderful stories that encourage girls to explore STEM through curiosity and creativity.
From the delightful Questioneers series (recommended for ages 5-9), Ada Twist, Scientist and Rosie Revere, Engineer are two treasures that celebrate curiosity and creativity. Ada Twist shows kids the power of asking questions and experimenting to solve mysteries, while Rosie Revere inspires perseverance through her journey of learning from mistakes and dreaming big.
Rosie’s story is especially touching. She learns from her great-great-aunt Rose, a pioneering female aviator, that failure is just part of the path to success. These books are fantastic tools to encourage girls to see themselves as scientists, engineers, and inventors.
Don’t miss Iggy Peck, Architect, where a boy’s love for building helps save the day, and Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, which introduces kids to leadership and community action through the eyes of a determined young girl.
Honorable Mentions for Inspiring Girls and Beyond
- Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo (ages 8-12) shares 100 stories of women who changed the world.
- Women in Science by Rachel Ignotofsky (ages 10-14) highlights 50 pioneering women in science and technology.
- Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly (ages 4-8) tells the inspiring true story of four Black women who played key roles at NASA.
Exploring Nature & Citizen Science Books
Love nature? Many of the best science books for kids also inspire a love for the outdoors and hands-on exploration.
Books like Creek Critters by Jennifer Keats Curtis (ages 7-12) and Bat Count: A Citizen Science Story by Anna Forrester (ages 4-9) are wonderful for getting kids involved in real science by observing and helping researchers. These stories show that anyone, kids included, can be part of science by watching, counting, and caring for the natural world.
Honorable Mentions for Exploring Citizen Science
- Bird Count by Susan Edwards Richmond (ages 4-8) encourages kids to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count, introducing different bird species and their behaviors through the story of a young girl and her mother.
- Moonlight Crab Count by Dr. Neeti Bathala and Jennifer Keats Curtis (ages 4-9) follows children counting horseshoe crabs during spawning season, teaching about crab biology and the importance of citizen science.
- Citizen Scientists: Be a Part of Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard by Loree Griffin Burns (ages 8-14) introduces young readers to citizen science projects they can join to help environmental research.
- The Great British Butterfly Safari by Robin Page (ages 7-12) explores butterfly species and life cycles while encouraging participation in butterfly counts.
- The Secret Life of Trees by Moira Butterfield (ages 7-12) reveals the fascinating world of trees and invites kids to join citizen science projects focused on tree monitoring.
- Zoo Scientists to the Rescue by Patricia Newman (ages 9-14) shares stories of young scientists working at the Smithsonian National Zoo, highlighting their role in research and conservation.
Note: Citizen science is a form of scientific research that involves non-professional scientists, often members of the general public, contributing to scientific projects. Citizen scientists help collect data, conduct experiments, and report findings to professional scientists, making important contributions to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
Embracing Creativity and Risk-Taking
Teaching kids that it’s okay to make mistakes is essential for building confidence and creativity. Mistakes That Worked by Charlotte Foltz Jones is a playful and inspiring book that shows how many great inventions were happy accidents. It’s a perfect reminder that curiosity, persistence, and learning from failure are all part of science.
Honorable Mentions for Embracing Creativity and Risk
- The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein: This book tells the story of a girl named Beatrice who is known for never making mistakes but then learns the importance of taking risks and making mistakes in order to learn and grow. (Ages 4-8)
- Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg: This interactive and colorful book encourages children to see mistakes as opportunities for creativity and imagination. (Ages 3-7)
- Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak: This informative and engaging book teaches children about the brain and how it grows and develops through challenges and mistakes. (Ages 5-10)
- What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake by Claire A. B. Freeland and Jacqueline B. Toner: This book provides practical strategies and tools for children to cope with their fear of making mistakes and to build resilience. (Ages 6-12)
Celebrating Science Heroes
The Little People, Big Dreamers series brings biographies of inspiring scientists like Ada Lovelace, Marie Curie, and Stephen Hawking to life for young readers (ages 4-7). These stories show kids that great scientists started out just like them, with curiosity and big dreams.
For slightly older kids, the Let’s Read and Find Out Science series (ages 5-9) covers a wide range of fascinating topics in an easy-to-understand way, perfect for sparking questions and exploration.
Curling up with any of these books this fall and winter can be a wonderful way to nurture your child’s love for science while enjoying cozy moments together. And who knows? A story might just inspire your next family adventure or science project! Whether you’re looking for cozy science read-alouds or books that spark curiosity, these stories invite kids to dream, explore, and see the world through the eyes of a scientist.
