Have curious kids? Grab one of these STEM books from the list below and get ready to learn! Help kids visualize themselves as scientists, engineers, architects, or whatever else they dream about with this fantastic list of picture books and chapter books. Written to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers, you’ll find fantastic choices for kindergarten through to elementary school.
STEM CHILDREN’S BOOKS KIDS WILL LOVE
WHAT IS STEM?
Let’s first start with what is STEM! STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. So a good STEM project will intertwine two or more of these learning areas to complete the project. STEM projects often focus on solving a problem and can be based on real-world applications. Learn more about What is STEM.
Almost every good science or engineering project is really a STEM activity because you have to pull from different resources to complete it. Results happen when many different factors fall into place.
Technology and math are also important to work into the framework of STEM whether it’s through research or measurements.
It’s important that kids can navigate the technology and engineering portions of STEM needed for a successful future. It’s good to remember there’s so much more to STEM than building expensive robots or being on screens for hours. Check out our top coding activities and engineering activities for kids.
Click here to get your free printable STEM project calendar!
STEM Books Kids Will Love!
These are some of my favorite and most popular books for sharing a love of STEM whether you’re in the classroom, at home, or in a group or club setting.
Please note, that all Amazon links below are affiliate links which means this website does receive a small percentage of each sale at no extra cost to you.
WHAT CAN I BE? By Tiffani Teachey
What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z is an inspiring and easy-to-read alphabet picture book that introduces kids to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers.
It has colorful illustrations and descriptions about each career. Great for inspiring discussion and building kids’ vocabulary.
What Can I Be? STEM Careers...Shop on Amazon
ADA TWIST, SCIENTIST By Andrea Beaty
Ada Marie Twist is an inquisitive African American second grader and a born scientist. She possesses a keen yet peculiar need to question everything she encounters, whether it be a tick-tocking clock, a pointy-stemmed rose, or the hairs in her dad’s nose. Ada’s parents and her teacher, Miss Greer, have their hands full as the child’s science experiments wreak day-to-day havoc.
Ada Twist, Scientist: A Pic...Shop on Amazon
Human Computer: Mary Jackson Engineer By Andi Diehn
When Mary Jackson was growing up, she thought being an engineer was impossible for her. Why? After all, she was fantastic at math and science. She worked really hard to learn all she could in school. Why did this smart little girl think she couldn’t be an engineer?
Also check out our list of best engineering books for kids.
Human Computer: Mary Jackso...Shop on Amazon
Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughn, Computer Scientist By Andi Diehn
A colorful picture book about Dorothy Vaughan, one of NASA’s first African American managers and one of the groundbreakers on the front line of electronic computing. It also includes hands-on STEM activities for an introduction to coding.
Dorothy Vaughan loved things that made sense―especially numbers! In Computer Decoder: Dorothy Vaughan, Computer Scientist, elementary-aged children follow Dorothy’s journey from math teacher to human computer and beyond. A journey made difficult because she was an African American woman working during a time of segregation.
Computer Decoder: Dorothy V...Shop on Amazon
Elara, STEM Girl by Leela Ayyar
Elara was born with a love of science; she’s even named after one of Jupiter’s moons. This empowering young protagonist teaches early elementary students to defy stereotypes when it comes to girls and STEM fields. Elara is determined to show her friends that STEM is for girls too!
Elara, STEM GirlShop on Amazon
Rube Goldberg’s Simple Normal Humdrum School Day By Jennifer George
If Rube’s inventions are any indication, “normal” means something very different in the Goldberg household. For Rube, up is down, in is out, and the simplest path to accomplishing an everyday task—like brushing his teeth or getting dressed—is a humorously complicated one.
Follow Rube as he sets out on a typical school day, overcomplicating each and every step from the time he wakes up in the morning until the time he goes to bed at night.
Rube Goldberg's Simple Norm...Shop on Amazon
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist By Jess Keating
This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike!
Shark Lady: The True Story ...Shop on Amazon
Emma Ren: Robot Engineer By Jenny Lu
Emma Ren: Robot Engineer is a story that will inspire young readers especially young girls to follow their passion and encourage them to be thinkers, problem solvers, doers, innovators, and inventors.
Emma Ren loves building things and is excited to build a battle robot for her class competition, however, her partner Jeremy thinks that girls are not as good at building things. Follow Emma Ren’s passion for robot building and her perseverance to create the best battle robot.”
Emma Ren Robot Engineer: Fu...Shop on Amazon
Mistakes That Worked: 40 Familiar Inventions & How They Came to Be By Charlotte Foltz Jones
The greatest discoveries are made outside the classroom! Learn all about mistakes that changed the world with this collection of the strange stories behind everyday inventions! It’s no accident that you’ll love this book!
Mistakes That Worked: 40 Fa...Shop on Amazon
Iggy Peck, Architect (The Questioneers) By Andrea Beaty
*Note there are 5 books in The Questioneers series including Rosie Revere Engineer.
Some kids sculpt sand castles. Some make mud pies. Some construct great block towers. But none are better at building than Iggy Peck, who once erected a life-size replica of the Great Sphinx on his front lawn!
It’s too bad that few people appreciate Iggy’s talent—certainly not his second-grade teacher, Miss Lila Greer. It looks as if Iggy will have to trade in his T square for a box of crayons until a fateful field trip proves just how useful a mast builder can be.
Iggy Peck, Architect: A Pic...Shop on Amazon
Which of these STEM books will you add to your library? If you have a budding engineer at home or a classroom full of them, make sure to also check out our list of best science books and engineering books for kids!
ENJOY ALL KINDS OF STEM PROJECTS
Click on the image below or on the link for tons of awesome STEM activities for kids.
