Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Home

Age Group: KS2

Recommended children’s books about famous scientists

Discover the inspirational lives of scientists and learn about the groundbreaking discoveries and incredible inventions that made them famous!

This list of the best children’s books about famous scientists will introduce young readers to some of the most important scientific minds in history – from Einstein in On a Beam of Light to Stephen Hawking, and from Marie Curie and her Daughters to Rosalind Franklin.

This carefully curated collection of real-life science stories will help to bring scientific history to life, and help children to see scientific advances through the eyes of those inspirational people who made them happen.

Non-fiction

Uncover the mysteries of the Internet in this funny technology series

What was the first thing ever sent on the Internet? Can winds blow WIFI away? And is the web REALLY full of spiders? Find out the answers to these questions and much more in this book!

With an engaging question and answer format, this series draws young readers into the fascinating world of technology. Each spread opens with a simple, quirky question, opening up an exploration of technology and busting some popular myths along the way!

Non-fiction

A gloriously illustrated celebration of trailblazing women. Women in Science highlights the contributions of fifty notable women to the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, from both the ancient and modern worlds. The book also contains fascinating infographics and an illustrated scientific glossary.

The extraordinary women profiled include well-known figures like the physicist and chemist Marie Curie, as well as lesser-known pioneers such as Katherine Johnson, the African-American mathematician who calculated the trajectory of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

Women in Science celebrates the achievements of the intrepid women who have paved the way for the next generation of female engineers, biologists, mathematicians, doctors, astronauts, physicists and beyond …

Non-fiction

From brainy biologists and clever chemists, to magnificent mathematicians and phenomenal physicists. Discover 100 remarkable scientists who shaped our world.

Containing a universe of knowledge, this amazing kids’ educational book tells the story of the extraordinary people who revolutionised our understanding of the world. A stunning way for children to meet science’s most important people.

Read through information-packed mini-biographies of 100 brilliant scientists and innovators who have shaped our society and how we see the world around us. A perfect “everything you want to know in one place” about the history of science for children aged 8-12.

Readers learn about discoveries that laid the groundwork for some of the most impressive innovations in history. Biologists, chemists, physicists, doctors, coders and astronauts are all featured including Hippocrates, Da Vinci, Alan Turing, Stephen Hawking, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and more.

An attractive and engaging kids book that may inspire the next Einstein or Curie! Made for those always curious children and those who need encouragement to aspire to greatness and see the marvels of science.

Put children inside the minds of scientific heroes through clever speech bubbles alongside portraits with first-person fun facts about their lives. It’s a cool way to personalise these incredible people and engage children while giving them a solid base in science.

Did you know that Marie Curie’s notebooks are still radioactive? They’re too dangerous to touch and even glow! And Louis Pasteur, who furthered the development of vaccinations and more, liked to paint in his spare time? Who knew!

Non-fiction

Alan Turing was:

A mathematician

A scientist

An inspiration

Alan Turing was a mathematician, scientist and codebreaker who helped defeat the Nazis in the Second World War with his incredible decoding of secret messages from enemy soldiers.

Discover his life story in this beautifully illustrated book, from his childhood as a quiet boy who loved maths, to becoming one of the most important scientists and codebreakers in history.

Chapter book

DISCOVER THE UNMISSABLE NEW ADVENTURE IN THE KATE ON THE CASE SERIES!

Follow brilliant young reporter Kate as she heads to the city for her biggest challenge yet . . .

Kate receives a VIP invitation to the headquarters of newspaper THE LOOKOUT POST to help her hero, top reporter Catherine Rodriguez! But Kate’s dream-come-true begins to sour when she discovers that all is not as it should be at the newspaper.

Will Kate be able to make the scoop of the century? It’s going to take all the courage she’s got . . .

A hilarious new mystery, packed with illustrations!

Chapter book

Illustrated in vibrant full-colour, a story of dance, celebration, carnival and slavery, about a family understanding their past to change the future.

Set in contemporary Notting Hill, Man-man and his friends are swept up in the exuberant preparations for carnival. But his mother is ill and even as he dances, he calls desperately to the Queen of Revels, as old as time to make her well again.

Swept away with his best friend Kareem and sharp-tongued sister Panama, to a place in between, the Queen of Revels plunges Man-man into Africa’s past and reveals his family’s heritage. As they gather around the sacred Tree of Memories, he witnesses many slaves, captives whose pain and anguish and longing is held by the tree. Man-man understands how this is draining his mother and how he must help her back to the freedom stolen from his ancestors.

Chapter book

Meet Izzy the Inventor in a laugh-out-loud series that brings together science, magic and a very lovable unicorn. Packed full of illustrations and easy-to-read text, this series is perfect for beginner readers and fans of Isadora Moon and The Naughtiest Unicorn.

Izzy the Inventor is back in Fairytale Land and this time she must rescue a prince from a wicked fairy’s curse. If she fails, he’ll vanish! With the help of Henry the unicorn, Izzy needs to work out how to make it snow in summer, create an exploding volcano and a contraption to help Henry fly. But can Izzy’s science skills stand up to an enormous dragon?

Non-fiction

Journey through the jungle and coral reefs, across the African plains and icy poles, and even to the Galápagos Islands, as you discover all there is to know about the world’s best-known and best-loved naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, in this beautifully illustrated picture book.

From a childhood spent searching for fossils to his awe-inspiring work as a broadcaster and conservationist, learn about Sir David Attenborough’s WILD life, as he goes further, higher and deeper than anyone ever before to share our incredible natural world, and embarks on a mission to protect it.

A perfect gift for budding naturalists and fans of David’s wildlife documentaries.

Picturebook

Daniela the glassmaker’s daughter is grumpy and never smiles. Her father promises a beautiful glass palace to anyone who can make her laugh. People come from far and wide to try their luck in amusing Daniela. But mask makers, lion tamers and magicians cannot raise a smile from the princess. It is only when a young apprentice makes the first looking glass that Daniela learns to smile – at her own grumpy reflection! This beautiful fable set in sixteenth-century Venice features stunning illustrations from award-winning artist Jane Ray alongside a poetic text.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Curriculum links (if relevant)

Any other comments

Any other comments