Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: Science, Maths and Computing

If you’ve ever stared in awe at the complexity of a mighty tree and allowed yourself to wonder if creatures beyond our knowledge might dwell in its branches, or even wondered hopefully whether there are fairies at the bottom of the garden, this book will validate each and every one of those secret, imaginative musings.

The story follows the adventure of three tiny, funny, eternal beings – also known as the Hidden Folk. When the trio wake from winter hibernation one year in their cherished ash tree home, things don’t go as expected. Their beautiful home becomes destroyed, and the three set off on an adventure to find others like them. They journey through town and country, greeted along the way by a series of friendly and not-so-friendly animals. Will they ever find a place to call home – and are they really the last ones of their kind left?

At the heart of the story are the themes of survival and the consequences of not protecting the natural world. The magical elements add so much fun to the plot and help children to connect with the broader themes, gently provoking questions about how much human actions have consequences beyond what we immediately see. Writer Melissa Harrison explains, ‘Stories were a crucial way in which I connected with nature as a little girl, imaginatively and emotionally….I wanted to write something that was accessible and inclusive, funny and magical – that didn’t prioritise the countryside over the city, and that allowed children to understand that other creatures are as real as they are – that humans are not the only actors on the stage.’

This would make a fabulous read-aloud for children in KS2, and will resonate well with anyone who loved the worlds of tiny people in The Borrowers, The Minpins or Toby Alone. The story sings of the wonders of nature on almost every page, and gives a gentle plea for humans to take conservation more seriously.

The book offers a clear, engaging exploration of skeletons across the animal kingdom, blending scientific accuracy with accessible explanations.

As both a teacher and a parent, the strength lies in how it inspires curiosity: children are drawn in by the vivid illustrations and comparative diagrams, while the text supports deeper scientific thinking without overwhelming younger readers.

The tone is warm, factual and at times humorous, making it ideal for shared reading or independent exploration in KS2. Its a great hook for the start of a science lesson or sequence of work.

Introducing Max Einstein – child genius and number one fan of Albert Einstein.

As a thirteen-year-old girl living on the streets of New York, Max knows nothing of her past. Max doesn’t have many friends but thankfully, conversations with her namesake, the famous physicist, mean she is never alone. Conscious of her prodigious abilities but also her social standing, Max intentionally underperforms at college to blend in with the crowd. Outside of college Max devises crafty inventions to help the plight of her homeless companions.

A turn of events sees Max recruited by the Change Makers Institute and sent to Jerusalem. Here Max finds herself in competition with other bright-minded teenagers to win the ultimate prize of solving the world’s greatest problems – using science. 

The Genius Experiment is bursting at the spine with scientific trivia in the form of facts, theories and outside-the-box thinking. Einstein’s relativity and Newton’s motion are thematic to the story. Throughout the book are sketches of Max’s notebook drawings, which depict her ideas and innovations.

Imagine someone told you that your dream could never come true. What would you do? Meet Marie Curie. Shy and reserved, she loved science more than anything else in the world. But she lived at a time when women couldn’t be scientists. Marie followed her passion and is now remembered for her game-changing discoveries. But while she tinkered away with test tubes and experimented with a glow-in-the-dark chemical elements, Marie became a mother. Irene and Eve grew up to be fiercely independent and determined women just like their mother, and had many adventures of their own. Join these three incredible women in this gorgeously illustrated book as they save lives during WWI and WWII, win Nobel Prizes, overcome tragedies, travel all around the world and change the history of science forever. This uplifting and touching tale of strength, science and sisterhood, written and illustrated by two remarkable sisters Imogen and Isabel Greenberg, is a triumph of female empowerment.

Think Magic Is Just An Illusion?

Think again! Discover science – REAL magic at your fingertips.

Learn some amazing experiments to wow your friends, find out how magicians use science in their most famous tricks and discover the magic of the world around you.

Packed with activities for kids from magic tricks to optical illusions, and peppered with fascinating facts, this educational book is a must-have for scientists and magicians alike. Added bonus, each ‘trick’ or experiment in the book uses easy to get hold of items.

Get ready to wow your friends with some cool science-backed magic like:
– Magnetic fingers
– Reading minds
– Colour changing potion
– Guess the coin
– Floating ping pong ball and much more!

Designed to present physics in a totally new light, this science book explores the topics of physics, light and sound alongside incredible artwork from surrealist artist Ximo Abadia. Visualise sonar sound, discover the speed of light and understand basic quantum physics with easy to understand, engaging text by acclaimed science writer Colin Stuart.

Impressive design meets exciting content in this physics title that will truly captivate and inspire.

Lightning! Rainbows! Auroras! Discover Earth’s most amazing natural phenomena in this adventure around the globe, including a glow-in-the-dark poster.

Follow two intrepid explorers as they witness the Northern Lights, marvel in wonder at glow worm caves, go hunting for double rainbows, and dodge volcanic lightning. A perfect book for young explorers. Turn off the light to see the 640 x 296 mm tear-out poster glow, featuring the stages of a solar eclipse. (Be sure to charge it in the light first.)

Each spread features an enchanting illustration of a different natural phenomenon animated by a description of the science behind it, told in exciting prose. Fact boxes call out more information.

So you think everyday life is boring?! WHAT?! Hoo-ee, are you wrong!

No, seriously. There’s so much EXTRAORDINARY science going on right from the minute you wake up to when you go to sleep. Actually, while you’re asleep, too.

Science is a non-stop EVERYWHERE, everything adventure with some incredibly cool stuff going on, too.

You’ve got your incredible brain, which has worked out how to read these words and make playing a video game feel as EXCITING as real life; you’ve got aeroplanes that can somehow get from the ground into the sky with all those people AND their luggage on board; you’ve got electricity and artificial intelligence and GPS and buses coming in threes (that’s science too) and LOADS more.

In Secret Science, Dara O Briain takes you on a journey from the comfort of your favourite chair to the incredible science behind your everyday life and on into the future!

What is the space station and how did it get into space? How do astronauts get there and what do they do once they’re there? How do astronauts eat, sleep, or even breathe, in space? What effect does living in space have on the human body, from making you taller to losing your muscles because of zero gravity. If everything floats, then how can you go to the toilet and where does your wee and poo go? Uncover all of the answers and more in this beautifully illustrated and fun book for children. Find out what it takes to become an astronaut and about the essential science experiments that are being carried out there.

Written to inspire a new generation of astronauts, Clive’s detailed and fact-filled text will make you think you’ve visited the space station yourself. Fully illustrated by self-confessed space geek illustrator, Dan Schlitzkus, the illustrations are technically accurate and provide true representations of the mechanics, modules and equipment on board the ISS.

An absolute hit with pupils who love the biological side of science, plus a good dose of history!

This funny non-fiction compendium of knowledge explores the history of human medicine from Egyptian mummification and strange Tudor remedies to modern medical marvels.

Authored by doctor-turned-author Adam Kay, this comprehensive guide digs deep into the weird and wonderful ways that people have attempted to diagnose, cure and treat the human body through time.

Funny and informative – a sure hit!

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