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Age Group: KS2

Picturebook

Inventive illustrations and an empowering story combine to introduce young readers to the world of engineering, creative thinking and problem-solving.

Zara is curious about everything! Travelling around the city with her gran, she sees all kinds of fascinating things. How do roller coasters do loop-the-loops? How do planes stay up? As she marvels about how they work, Zara learns about some of the brilliant engineers who have shaped the world around her. Soon she can’t wait to start creating her own amazing inventions and become an engineer too!

With pages encouraging kids to try out their very own engineering experiments such as constructing the perfect paper aeroplane and safely dropping an egg from a height, this brilliant picture book written by engineer and TV presenter Dr Shini Somara unlocks a love of engineering and celebrates women in STEM.

Non-fiction

A visual history of the inventions, discoveries and technology that have shaped our world.

In his signature playful style, Peter Goes brings together breakthroughs in science, IT, entertainment, medicine and everyday life. He shows us the earliest flute alongside tools and weapons, takes us from candle clocks to drones, from spectacles to genetic modification, from the toothpaste of Ancient Egypt to the clones of the future.

These cross-sections of history highlight human ingenuity and hope, from the Stone Age to the world of tomorrow.

Non-fiction

Stuck at home and looking for fun, educational activities to keep your Key Stage 2 children entertained? With over 30 easy and fun experiments to do at home, extraordinary facts and stats and cool illustrations, this amazing STEM book will inspire children aged 8 and over to become top tech wizards!

Are you ready to come up with the next big thing? Make your own stethoscope, build a speedy jet boat, concoct your own plastic, create a bio-tech yummy yoghurt, and much more!

The STEM editorial consultant is Georgette Yakman, founding researcher and creator of the integrative STEAM framework.

Non-fiction

Immerse yourself in the world of the spellbinding genius Leonardo da Vinci, master of art, architecture, engineering, mathematics and more. From his futuristic inventions to the breadth of his artistic skill, discover the fascinating life and legacy of the Renaissance man.

The award-winning author and illustrator behind Darwin’s Voyage of Discovery and Really Remarkable Reptiles turns his attention to the Renaissance man: Leonardo da Vinci.

Leonardo da Vinci was a master of art, architecture, engineering, mathematics and more. Discover his relationship with the natural world, his futuristic inventions and the breadth of his artistic skill in this spellbinding celebration of his genius.

Follow his early years – born to a poor mother and receiving no formal education, it is amazing that an innate fire of curiosity and imagination fuelled this man to achieve extraordinary success and a place amongst history’s elite. Learn about his legacy today – the bewitching power of the world’s most famous portrait, the Mona Lisa – as well as the influence of his inventions in modern daily life.

This gorgeous hardback is filled with Jake Williams’ characteristically stylish illustrations.

Non-fiction

Why were bridges invented? What did the first bridges look like? How do they stay up and why are there so many different designs? From architecture to engineering (and other STEM subjects!), scale new heights on an enchanting journey with the school children in this book to discover answers to these questions along with other fascinating facts about bridges and how they work. Written and illustrated by Kate Greenaway Medal nominee and STEAM Children’s Book prize winner, Roman Belyaev.

Non-fiction

Discover how machines are part of our daily lives with Everyday STEM Technology – Machines.

Explore a world full of technological innovation, from the first tools used in the Stone Age to the machines of the future. Learn about telescopes and rovers in space, see how modern machines can protect our planet, and meet the innovators and scientists who invented the machines that have improved our lives, including Dr Gladys West, Olafur Eliasson and Fei-Fei Li. Readers can also carry out cool machine experiments at home.

With easy-to-understand text written by STEM expert Jenny Jacoby, and lots of colourful artworks, photos and diagrams, readers can explore where we encounter machines and why they are even important at all.

The Everyday STEM series makes science relevant to tweens. Instead of telling kids STEM is important and is the key to their future success, these books show readers how we use science, technology, engineering and maths in our everyday lives. While the topics sound high-level and complex, this series makes these concepts age-appropriate and accessible. So, while we can’t promise to teach 9 to 11-year-olds quantum physics, we can explain in the simplest terms the practical applications of STEM.

Non-fiction

Build your own moving race car from household objects in this step-by-step guide based on the science behind Formula One.
Take your place at the starting gate and fire up your engine: it’s time to build your very own racing car! Join presenter and maker Fran Scott for a crash course in racing engineering, then use your new-found skills to build your own awesome air-powered machine using household objects. From the chassis to the engine, discover the science behind Formula One in this perfect project for budding young engineers. So what are you waiting for? 3, 2, 1 … let’s race!

Non-fiction

Explore the science of pulleys, which is a key physical science concept. Young children will enjoy the fun illustrations and learn from the simple diagrams. The book encourages the reader to see science in action in their everyday lives. It is perfect for budding scientists who are curious about machines and how they work, and allows readers to encounter this STEM topic in an approachable way. For children following Book Bands, it is suitable for children reading at band 7, turquoise.

Non-fiction

Explore the science of wheels and cogs, which are key physical science concepts. Young children will enjoy the fun illustrations and learn from the simple diagrams. The book encourages the reader to see science in action in their everyday lives. It is perfect for budding scientists who are curious about machines and how they work, and allows readers to encounter this STEM topic in an approachable way. For children progressing through book bands, it is suitable for children at Book Band 7: Turquoise.

Chapter book

My name is Ted Spark. Three months ago, I solved the mystery of how my cousin Salim disappeared from a pod on the London Eye. This is the story of my second mystery.

This summer, I went on holiday to New York, to visit Aunt Gloria and Salim. While I was there, a painting was stolen from the Guggenheim Museum, where Aunt Gloria works. Then Aunt Gloria was blamed for the theft, and I realised just how important it was to find the painting, and discover who really had taken it.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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