Women have made great contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These fun children’s books about women in STEM will help you explore those contributions with your kiddos.
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Some of these books highlight a group of women who made groundbreaking advances in STEM fields, yet some bring our attention to the story of a single woman in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Also, most of these books are geared toward kids of all ages. That said, some could be better enjoyed by older readers, as read alouds, or a little at a time. That preference, of course, will vary from child to child and book to book.
Regardless of what you’re looking for today, all of these selections are engaging and inspiring ways to learn about women who used their gifts to make a difference in the world.
Children’s Books About Women in STEM
Before we jump into the list, keep in mind that I didn’t include any books that specifically celebrate women known for their work in space science. You can find those books and descriptions with my list of children’s books about women in space.
Also worth noting, the links in the overviews below all lead to Amazon. If you would prefer to support independent bookstores through your purchases, you can also find this list on Bookshop.org.
1. Women in Science
Women in Science is a great place to start when learning about women in STEM. This book covers 50 groundbreaking women scientists and shares their stories and accomplishments through well-written overviews and eye-catching design.
Born Curious is another children’s book that features women in science. Similar in premise, it goes into more detail on each scientist and features 20 women scientists versus the 50 covered in Women in Science.
2. Girls Think of Everything
Similar to Women in Science and Born Curious, Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women covers a wide range of women inventors and their creations.
3. 101 Black Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
101 Black Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics celebrates 101 brilliant and inspiring women who have greatly impacted STEM fields despite the barriers they faced.
4. Nothing Stopped Sophie
Nothing Stopped Sophie shares the story of Sophie Germain, a French mathematician and physicist who inspired the Sophie Germain Prize at the French Academy of Sciences.
For older kids, consider Sophie’s Diary. It’s a historical fiction option that’s perfect for upper elementary, middle, and even young high school students.
5. Queen of Physics
Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom tells the story of Wu Chien Shiung and her accomplishments in nuclear physics. Worth noting, a short biographical overview, glossary, and additional reading suggestions are included at the end of the book.
6. Lise Meitner: Had the Right Vision About Nuclear Fission
This book from Mike Venezia’s Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Inventors & Scientists series celebrates physicist Lise Meitner through Venezia’s trademark (and often quirky) combination of cartoon-like illustrations and key biographical details.
7. Marie Curie for Kids
Marie Curie for Kids is a fantastic way to explore the life and work of Marie Curie. It includes her personal background, work in physics and chemistry, and 21 activities and experiments that add a hands-on component to the book.
Other children’s books about Marie Curie include:
- I Am Marie Curie (great for younger readers)
- Who Was Marie Curie?
- Marie Curie (Little People, BIG DREAMS) (also good for younger readers)
- Marie Curie’s Search for Radium
8. Instructions Not Included
Instructions Not Included: How a Team of Women Coded the Future introduces Betty Snyder, Jean Jennings, and Kay McNulty and their contributions to computer science during World War II.
9. Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science
There are several great picture books about the world’s first computer programmer, but my daughter and I especially enjoyed Ada Lovelace, Poet of Science. Ada’s story is interesting and inspiring on its own, but the fun and colorful illustrations make this book a joy to read.
For more on Ada Lovelace, consider the following titles:
- Ada Lovelace (Little People, BIG DREAMS)
- Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine
- Dreaming in Code
- Ada’s Ideas
10. Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code
Learn about computer scientist and United States rear admiral Grace Hopper with Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code:
“Who was Grace Hopper? A software tester, workplace jester, cherished mentor, ace inventor, avid reader, naval leader—AND rule breaker, chance taker, and troublemaker… Grace Hopper coined the term ‘computer bug’ and taught computers to ‘speak English.’ Throughout her life, Hopper succeeded in doing what no one had ever done before.”
Amazon
11. The Girl With a Mind for Math
The Girl With a Mind for Math is a picture book about American naval engineer Raye Montague. I especially like the timeline, biography, and chat with Raye Montague all featured at the end of this picture book.
12. The World Is Not a Rectangle
Architecture is a great example of math, science, technology, and engineering coming together under one umbrella. That’s why The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid is a great one to add to your list of books about women in STEM.
Also worth noting, this Little People, BIG DREAMS book is an especially lovely way to explore Zaha Hadid’s life and accomplishments with younger readers.
13. Secret Engineer
Have you ever heard how the Brooklyn Bridge came to be? Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge tells the story of the New York landmark and how a surprising supervisor stepped in and held the project together when her husband, the chief engineer, could no longer oversee it.
Can’t find a copy of Secret Engineer? How Emily Saved the Bridge is another good picture book option about Emily Roebling and the Brooklyn Bridge.
14. Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life
It’s not every day you read about someone who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but also developed technology used by the US Navy, right? That’s what’s so cool about Hedy Lamarr.
I wasn’t familiar with this story until I came across Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life, but it’s one of my favorites from this list of children’s books about women in STEM.
15. Marvelous Mattie
If you’ve ever used a paper bag from a grocery store, you’ve been impacted by Margaret E. Knight and her inventions. You can read her story in Emily Arnold McCully’s Marvelous Mattie.
If you have trouble finding Marvelous Mattie, look for In the Bag! and Margaret Knight: Girl Inventor. Both are great picture book options that tell Margaret Knight’s story.
Looking for more children’s books about women who have changed the world? Here are some others to add to your reading list: