Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: Science, Maths and Computing

A Rock Is Lively

Non-fiction

This is the perfect accompaniment to a rocks and soils topic. This beautifully illustrated non-fiction text showcases different types of rocks and gemstones in all their splendour, using the stunning pictures as a way in to explaining the science behind how they appear. If it never occurred to you to appreciate how beautiful rocks can be, it will after reading this!

The Street Beneath My Feet

Charlotte Guillian & Yuval Zommer

Non-fiction

A beautiful fold-out book that showcases the wonders of the earth beneath our feet, and one with real wow-factor.

This book is well-suited for introducing rocks and soils or geology topics. Sublimely illustrated, its concertina-style pages fold out into a long cross-section of the Earth: in one side and out the other. Children can spread out around the fold-out page to get a real sense of the depth of the earth’s layers and what you might find in each.

This unusual non-fiction text with a tactile element contains a wealth of information about geology and science, linking to topics of rocks and soils and awesome earth and opportunities for further questions from curious young minds. Just stunning!

Stone Girl Bone Girl

Laurence Anholt & Sheila Moxley

Picturebook

Discover the story of Mary Anning, the world’s best-known fossil hunter.

As a baby, Mary was struck by lightning, then as a little girl she found a fossilised sea monster, the most important prehistoric discovery of its time. This spectacular tale of a little girl who dared to be different and who followed her dreams will inspire young children.

Beautiful illustrations and narrative text help children to learn how Mary discovered new fossils – and how her observations rocked the natural history world. Be inspired by Mary’s work as a woman in the field of science – especially as her achievements weren’t recognised until after her death.

Perfect for kids interested in dinosaurs and rocks, and for parents looking for strong female role models in science.

Under Earth, Under Water

Aleksandra Mizielinski & Daniel Mizielinski

Non-fiction

A highly-recommended non-fiction text all about what lies beneath the surface. The book can be flipped open in two directions, with one side exploring different things that exist underneath the earth and the other side exploring under the sea. The information is presented in a visually appealing way and is accompanied by engaging illustrations. A popular choice for KS2. There are also accompanying activity books from the same authors.

The Rock Factory: A Story About Rocks and Stones

Jacqui Bailey & Matthew Lilly

Non-fiction

This series uses cartoon-style illustrations and humorous narrative text to make key topics in Science and Geography accessible and engaging. This approach encourages children to read about and understand complex ideas. This is the story of how a special sort of stone formed deep inside the Earth, and came to the surface thousands of millions of years later.

The Rock Factory looks at how minerals turn into rock crystals, how the Earth is structured and how volcanoes happen. This book also contains an experiment, useful websites and an index.

Everyday STEM: Geology

Emily Dodd & Robbie Cathro

Non-fiction

Discover how geology is part of our daily lives with Everyday STEM Science – Geology. Explore the wonders of Earth and see how geology is all around us, from natures materials that are used to build roads and buildings to the minerals found in your mobile phone and drinks can. Witness a volcanic eruption, find out if there is water on Mars, unearth a dinosaur and meet the geologists and scientists who brought geology to life. Readers can also carry out geology experiments at home.

With easy-to-understand text written by Emily Dodd, fun callouts and lots of colourful artworks, photos, and diagrams, readers can best explore where we encounter geology and why it’s even important at all.

Counting on Katherine

Dow Phumiruk & Helaine Becker

Picturebook

This recommendable narrative non-fiction book celebrates the life of Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who played a crucial role in the smooth running of the Apollo 11 mission to land on the moon.

The story emphasises Katherine’s lifelong passion for mathematics – how she loved to count as a child and how she overcame barriers of inequality and prejudice to reach her dream of using her mathematical talents while working for NASA.

A fantastic biography that celebrates mathematics, space, women in STEM and following dreams.

Groundbreaking Scientists

J.P. Miller

Non-fiction

A celebration of the lives and achievements of inspirational black people through history who made a difference

Black Stories Matter: Groundbreaking Scientists explores the important contributions that black people have made to the field of science throughout history, as well as today. From astronomer and inventor Benjamin Banneker to agricultural science pioneer Dr Segenet Kelemu and father of the internet Philip Emeagwali, each has enriched our knowledge of the scientific world with their sheer talent and resilience.

Black Stories Matter is a powerful illustrated collection of stories of inspiring black personalities through history. Perfect for readers aged 9 and above.

Contents:
Main biographies
Benjamin Banneker
George Washington Carver
Bessie Coleman
Kenneth & Mamie Clark
Philip Emeagwali
Mae Jamison
Dr Segenet Kelemu
Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Mary Seacole
Daniel Hale Williams
Mini biographies
Marie Maynard Daly
Dr Alan Goffe
Ernest E Just
Wangari Maathai
Jesse Russell Sr
David Unaipon
Rachel Watkins
Gladys West