Books about STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – will help your kids learn more about the physical world around them and how it works, as well as being key to their future employability. Here we have some suggestions for science books aimed directly at a young audience, to help generate children's interest and enthusiasm early.
For kids who like to learn through fiction, physics teacher and author Alom Shaha chooses the best science-based novels for children, exploring the multiverse, among other subjects. A lot of fun for very young kids—who will spend hours poring over them—is the list by science writer Alice Bell on her favourite science books for kids.
In terms of the latest science books for kids, the Royal Society has an annual book prize, awarded to the best science book for an under-14 audience. Physicist and astronomer Sheila Rowan, chair of the 2019 judging panel, talked us through the books that made the 2019 shortlist. We have word from the Royal Society that the 2020 prize will go ahead, in spite of coronavirus, on a slightly delayed schedule, and will bring that list to you as soon as we can.
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1
100 Things to Know About Numbers, Computers & Coding
Alex Frith (illustrated by Federico Mariani and Parko Polo) -
2
The Bacteria Book: The Big World of Really Tiny Microbes
by Steve Mould -
3
The Element in the Room: Investigating the Atomic Ingredients that Make Up Your Home
Mike Barfield (illustrated by Lauren Humphrey) -
4
Kid Scientists: True Tales of Childhood from Science Superstars
David Stabler (illustrated by Anoosha Syed) -
5
Planetarium: Welcome to the Museum
Raman Prinja (illustrated by Chris Wormell) -
6
Making With States of Matter
by Anna Claybourne
The Best Science Books for Kids: 2019 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, recommended by Sheila Rowan
The Best Science Books for Kids: 2019 Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize, recommended by Sheila Rowan
If you’re looking for the best books to get kids excited about science, the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize is a great place to start. Physicist and astronomer Sheila Rowan, chair of this year’s judging panel, talks us through the fabulous books that made this year’s shortlist.
The Best Science-based Novels for Children, recommended by Alom Shaha
There are umpteen science textbooks out there to help kids with their science homework. But what about the broader picture, the creativity, the advantages of becoming a scientifically literate individual? Alom Shaha, teacher, filmmaker and science communicator, recommends five great novels to inspire your kids with the wonder of science.
The Best Physics Books for Teenagers, recommended by Kate Lee (St Paul's Girls' School)
What are the best books for getting a teenager into physics? Kate Lee, Head of Physics at St Paul’s Girls School, recommends books about NASA, space travel, and the Big Bang—and puzzles the question of why it is so hard for young women to stay in physics as a profession.
The Best Psychology Books for Teens, recommended by Jessica Flitter, Laura Brandt & Nancy Fenton
Three award-winning US high school psychology teachers—authors of the website Books for Psychology Class—share their recommendations of the best psychology books for teenagers, students and their teachers—and reflect on why storytelling is a key aspect of the art of teaching.
