New STEM Books for Kids
There are so many new STEM books for kids, on topics ranging from math to physics! These engaging books will feed children’s curiosity about the world around them, from counting pigeons to exploring stardust. (Shh, these books are fun for grownups to read, too!)
Disclosure: I received complimentary copies of some of the books below for review purposes; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.
New STEM Books for Kids
Don’t miss these wonderful new STEM Books for kids!
Pigeon Math is a hilarious read (and one of the only fiction books in this list) about a determined storyteller who just wants to tell a story about pigeons – but discovers that when it comes to his pigeon friends, nothing is ever simple. As the circumstances constantly shift and pigeons land and then take off, the narrator is forced to adapt his story, including constantly calculating how many pigeons will take part in the action. All, of course, a clever strategy to introduce basic addition and subtraction to young readers and show them its real world applications in a silly, accessible way. Another gem from author Asia Citro and The Innovation Press.
The other fiction book on this list, Ada and the Galaxies is a great introduction to astronomy for young readers. It captures the excitement of a young girl visiting her grandparents in rural Maine (based on the visits of the author’s own granddaughter). Ada loves getting to play in the water and enjoy kayaking with her grandparents, but all she really wants to do is look at the stars, those luminous beings she so rarely sees at home because of the city lights. But when night finally comes, so does fog, and Ada’s stargazing is ruined. Or is it? Her grandfather saves the day by teaching her about the stars through books (which use actual photos from the Hubble telescope!)
From a physicist comes I’m a Neutrino, about a topic even most scientists find mystifying. The imaginative illustrations and rhyming text are perfect for younger readers, helping them grasp the concept of these very small but abundant particles. At the back there is a more detailed explanation of each spread for older children (and adults!)
Another book that looks at very small things is Nano: The Spectacular Science of the Very (Very) Small, by an award winning physicist and activist. This kid-friendly introduction to atoms and nanotechnology includes lovely child-centered illustrations. It inspires curious readers with a look at the ways science can enrich our lives, and ends with an empowering message to kids that they might be the to unlock more scientific secrets!
The Stardust that Made Us is a delightful deep dive into the periodic table, from the Big Bang to the possible future discovery of more elements. It looks at each part of the periodic table, giving general attributes as well as a look at individual elements, from the history of their discovery to their uses today. Did you know that the name “cobalt” comes from a German word for a kind of goblin? Or which element that makes your cell phone vibrate? With bold, stylized illustrations, this is a great book for older kids who are ready for a more in-depth look at chemistry.
Be Thankful Trees is a joyful exploring about all of the many ways that we make use of trees in our everyday lives, from art and music to food, shelter, and the air we breathe. With lyrical, rhyming text, the books gently shows children why we need to take care of our environment and protect the trees. Children will look at trees with new eyes after reading this book, which, by the way, is printed on responsibly sourced, 100% recycled FSC paper.
Sure, your kitten or puppy is cuddly now, but did you ever wonder about its great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents? Introducing Prehistoric Pets, a new pop-up book that is sure to get your child interested in the science of prehistoric animals! It includes lots of fun details about common household pets and their ancestors, including how scientists can get clues from fossils. Perfect for animal lovers! It’s also a wonderfully engaging way to get kids excited about science and history.
Daydreaming of sunny days at the beach? The gorgeous book Oceanarium is a wonderful book to spark kids’ curiosity about our oceans and why it is so important to protect them!It is part of the Welcome to the Museum series and, like all the other books in the series, it contains a wealth of information along with stunning illustrations. Younger kids will love paging through the images, while older kids will enjoy the expert text from a marine biologist.
Whatever the Weather is a fun and colorful book to teach children all about the sun, wind, and rain. With bright illustrations and diagrams, the book takes young readers through phenomena such as storms, fog, and the Northern Lights, in addition to the changing seasons and climate change. It also chock full of fun facts, like why you can never reach the end of a rainbow, or why it smells so nice and earthy after it rains. A great book to help kids engage with the world around them.
As soon as I heard about Capturing Cow Farts and Burps, I knew my kids were going to love it. What better way to get kids excited about science than to talk about farts and burps?? The book focuses on gassy cows, from why this is such a problem for our planet, to what scientists, engineers, and farmers are doing about it. A fun way to get kids thinking about the environment and the creative problem solving necessary to care for it. It is also great for getting them thinking about related career paths. Maybe they will come up with the next creative solution for making our world less gassy!
Do you have a kid who loves making forts or playing with building toys? Then they will love this gorgeous new non-fiction book! Colossus: The World’s Most Amazing Feats of Engineering covers everything from the Sphinx to the International Space Station. It focuses on specific works, like the Eiffel Tower and the stone figures on Easter Island, plus it includes information on topics like engineering for earthquakes. I love the fold out spread on famous engineers. I also love that it makes an effort to include works from all over the world, such as the mysterious stone spheres in Costa Rica, which I’ve actually visited! My kids’ favorite part is the section on the future of engineering.
What are your favorite new STEM books?
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